Japanese Physician Scientist Explores Advances in Aggressive Brain Cancer Treatments at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

Strategic Insights -

Physician scientist Anarkhuu Bold-Erdene, a doctoral student in radiation biology at Hiroshima University, recently completed a month-long internship at the Radiation Emergency Assistance Center/Training Site (REAC/TS) and the Cytogenetic Biodosimetry Laboratory (CBL) at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Bold-Erdene's research focuses on using radiation sensitizers to improve treatment for malignant gliomas, a type of aggressive brain cancer. His visit to REAC/TS and CBL allowed him to participate in Radiation Emergency Medicine and Health Physics courses and gain knowledge of various biodosimetry assays, including the analysis of dicentric chromosomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bold-Erdene, a doctoral student in radiation biology at Hiroshima University, spent a month at REAC/TS and CBL to study advances in treatments for aggressive brain cancer.
  • Malignant gliomas are extremely difficult to treat, especially after recurrence, and Bold-Erdene's research focuses on using radiation sensitizers to improve treatment.
  • Bold-Erdene participated in Radiation Emergency Medicine and Health Physics courses at REAC/TS and gained knowledge of biodosimetry assays, including dicentric chromosome analysis.
  • The CBL uses automated equipment for high-throughput sample processing, which Bold-Erdene hopes to implement in future research.
  • Bold-Erdene's research is motivated by the need for better treatment strategies for gliomas, which often recur after radiation therapy.
  • He plans to use his knowledge from the internship to inform his doctoral thesis on radiation biology.
  • Bold-Erdene has a background in pathology and has worked as a pathologist for 10 years at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Mongolia.
  • His internship was recommended by his professors, Nobuyuki Hirohashi, M.D., Ph.D., and Osamu Kaminuma, Ph.D., who have connections to REAC/TS.
  • Bold-Erdene aims to contribute to the development of more effective treatments for gliomas and reduce the suffering of patients.

Statistics:

  • 10 years: Number of years Bold-Erdene worked as a pathologist at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Mongolia.
  • 1 month: Duration of Bold-Erdene's internship at REAC/TS and CBL.
  • 90%: Mentioned as the percentage of glioma recurrences that are difficult to treat with current radiation therapy.
  • 2 brothers: Number of brothers Bold-Erdene has, who work in finance.
  • 500: Number of survivors in Japan studied by researchers due to the nuclear warheads dropped over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Sources:

  • ORISE news release, August 14, 2025
  • ORAU website, science.osti.gov
  • Hiroshima University website
  • National Cancer Center Hospital in Mongolia website
  • Mongolian National University for Medical Sciences website