James M. Gallo PharmD, PhD

James Gallo

James M. Gallo
PharmD, PhD

Empire Innovation Professor

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Pharmacy


Specialty/Research Focus

Brain Tumor

Contact Information
472 Pharmacy Building
Buffalo, NY 142114214-
Phone: (716) 645-3606
Fax: (716)829-6569
jmgallo@buffalo.edu



Professional Summary:

Overview
Research: Quantitative Systems Pharmacology (QSP) of Brain Tumor Drug Therapy
Our lab is focused on the experimental therapeutics of anticancer drugs used in brain tumors. We incorporate experimental and computational approaches to advance drug development and address unique biological and pharmacological challenges of brain tumor drug therapy. The net result of these efforts will hopefully improve drug therapy and lead to new chemotherapeutic strategies that enhance the translational foundation and integration of preclinical and clinical research.

Our computational paradigm relies on pharmacokinetic [PK], pharmacodynamic [PD] and quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approaches that provide a mechanistic underpinning of drug action. We are interested to depict cell-type specific phenomenon and models that can achieve precision therapeutics.

Project Areas
We have a number of ongoing projects, briefly described below.
Project 1: Single-Cell Pharmacodynamic Models that Drive Precision Therapeutics
We are calibrating PanCancer pharmacodynamic models to brain tumor patients and drugs, such as temozolomide. We seek to focus on drug non-responders and reformulate more effective drug regimens using their genomic data. The model predictions can be tested in preclinical models to establish the strategy.

Project 2: Epigenetic Modulation of Drug Resistance
The epigenetic landscape of brain tumors is a dynamic process that can be affected by a number of variables, and may likely have an important role in drug therapy and the evolution of drug resistance. Post-translational modifications (PTM) of histones are intimately involved in epigenetic modulation and offers drug targets that can determine gene transcription and cell states. Currently, we are focused on low-grade brain tumors that possess the mutant IDH1 enzyme that produces the oncometabolite (D2HG). D2HG produces a methylator phenotype and through its modulation we may alter cell state and susceptibility to drug resistance. The QSP models will integrate cell state and mechanistic data.

Project 3: Drug Therapy and Intratumoral Heterogeneity
There is an increasing appreciation that each patient’s brain tumor is highly heterogeneous, due to different cell types and physiological characteristics, which likely impact drug efficacy. Not only are there regional variations in brain tumor blood flow, oxygenation and blood-brain barrier permeability, but different cell states based on single-cell RNAseq analyses. Each glioma cell state may respond differently to drugs due to differences in the associated protein networks. We are interested to develop cell state mechanistic QSP models that provide new drug targets and strategies to improve drug therapy.


Education and Training:

  • PhD, University of Arizona (1985)
  • PharmD, University of Florida (1979)
  • Letters & Science, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Employment:

  • Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (2016–2018)
  • Professor, Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (2009–2016)
  • Professor, Fox Chase Cancer Center (2003–2004)
  • Associate Professor, Fox Chase Cancer Center (1996–2003)
  • Visiting Professor, University of Washington, School of Engineering - Biomedical Engineering (2001)
  • Assistant Professor, Fox Chase Cancer Center (1993–1996)
  • Visiting Associate Professor, Northwestern University, School of Medicine - Neuro-Oncology (1991)

Awards and Honors:

  • Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology Award (2015)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • October 2015–September 2017
    Therapeutic applications of mechanism-based PK/PD models of epigenetic modifiers (10/15-9/17)
    Roche - Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • February 2012–December 2016
    Targeting Mitotic Kinases Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • December 2010–November 2016
    Interactions Between Cytotoxic and Antiangiogenic Drugs(CA72937)
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • September 2014–June 2016
    Drug Combination Signatures for Prediction and Mitigation of Toxicity(HG008098)
    NIH
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • September 2011–June 2015
    Function of the MRP Family
    NIH
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • July 2008–April 2014
    Development of Targeted Anticancer Drugs
    NIH
    Role: Principal Investigator

Journal Articles:

See all (91 more)

Abstracts:

Evaluative Studies and Case Reports:


Professional Memberships:

  • American Society of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2012–present)
  • Society of Neuro-Oncology (2007–present)
  • American Association for Cancer Research (1993–present)

Presentations:

  • "Reprogramming QSP with Epigenetic & Cell State Concepts" 2nd Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Symposium, University at Buffalo, QSP (2018)
  • "Translational microdialysis to assess drug and biomarker tumor disposition" Annual Meeting, AAPS (2017)
  • "Systems-based PK/PD Modeling of Anticancer Drugs" American Conference of Pharmacometrics 6, ISoP (2015)
  • "Bridging Preclinical and Clinical PK/PD of Anticancer Drugs with Systems Pharmacology" Biomedical Engineering Series, JohnsvHopkins University, Biomedical Engineering (2015)
  • "Bridging Preclinical and Clinical PK/PD with Systems Pharmacology" , ACS, North Jersey ACS Drug Metabolism Discussion Group (2015)
  • "Integrating Systems Pharmacology and PBPK Models: Application to Oncology" Annual Meeting, ASCPT, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology: Multiscale Model-Based Drug Development Through Integrating Systems Biology and Pharmacometrics (2015)
  • "A Systems Pharmacological Approach to Drug Disposition Using Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models" Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Symposium, AAPS, Leveraging High-Dimensional Data In Systems Pharmacology Modeling of Drug Disposition and Diseases (2014)
  • "Next Generation Pharmacodynamic Models" , University of Florida, Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology (2013)
  • "Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic-Driven Drug Therapy for Brain Tumors" Biochemistry Series, Rutgers University, Biochemistry (2013)
  • "Preclinical Approaches to Rethink Brain Tumor Chemotherapy" BMS Distinguished Lectureship, University at Buffalo, Pharmaceutical Sciences (2013)
  • "Integrating Drug Discovery and Experimental Chemotherapy Using Tumor-based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Investigations" Bridging Bench and Bedside with Quantitative Model-Based Translational Pharmacology, The New York Academy of Sciences, Experimental Therapeutics (2012)
  • "Target Tissue Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Models of Anticancer Drugs: A Missing Link in Translational Medicine" Deborah M. Richman Memorial Lectureship, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Neuro-oncology (2009)
See all (2 more)

Service Activities:

  • 3rd Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Symposium; Co-Chair (2018–2019)
  • Scientific and Organizing Committee; CNS Anticancer Drug Discovery/Development Conference (1st, 2nd and 3rd). Meeting held as a pre-conference in conjunction with the Society of Neuro-Oncology annual meeting.; Member (2014–2018)

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Contact Information

472 Pharmacy Building
Buffalo, NY 142114214-
Phone: (716) 645-3606
Fax: (716)829-6569
jmgallo@buffalo.edu