Animesh Barua, Ph.D.
Animesh Barua, Ph.D., Senior Scientist and Section Chief, Oncology
Dr. Barua joined Simmaron in 2024 as a Senior Scientist. He is an internationally recognized expert in gynecological cancers with a focus on ovarian cancer (OVCA) and benign conditions which may increase the risk of OVCA. Prior to joining Simmaron, Dr. Barua led the Laboratory for Translational Research on Ovarian Cancer for 20 years at the Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. In addition, Dr. Barua was the Program Director of the MS and PhD in Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) programs of Rush University, Chicago, IL for 6 six years.
His extensive research projects funded via NIH, Department of Defense (DOD) and foundations/philanthropy mechanisms include the development of an early detection test for OVCA using molecular-targeted ultrasound imaging in association with a panel of serum markers, elucidation of mechanisms of ovarian tumor-induced evasion/suppression of NK cell immunity, and development of anti-tumor immunotherapies using natural products.
In addition, and closely related to ME/CFS and Long-COVID, are his projects related to endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and examine the risks of these benign conditions to malignant transformations as well as determining the effects of natural product-based interventions. Dr. Barua’s laboratory, formally known as the SRI DX lab, is located at the Technology Innovation Center at the Milwaukee County Research Park. Dr. Barua has dedicated AAALAC approved animal facilities and access to core facilities located a few miles away at The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (UWM).
Dr. Barua’s Current Focus: Early detection of ovarian cancer and development of immunotherapies against it
Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is a fatal malignancy and silent killer of women. In most cases, it is diagnosed at late stages due to the lack of an effective early detection test as well as non-specificity of symptoms at early stages. Serum levels of CA-125 in combination with or without traditional ultrasound imaging are the currently available methods of OVCA detection. Serum levels of CA-125 is not specific for early stage of OVCA as its level also increases in several non-OVCA benign conditions. On the other hand, the limited resolution of traditional ultrasound imaging cannot detect early changes in the fimbria of the fallopian tube or in the ovary associated with OVCA development. In contrast, the survival rates of OVCA patients increases to 90% when detected at early stage as opposed to less than 10% when detected at late stages. In addition, currently available chemotherapies not only toxic to normal uninvolved tissues but the tumor also develops resistance against these therapies. Although recently developed immunotherapies showed promise against several cancers but they are not efficient against OVCA. Therefore, fresh approaches are urgently needed for better detection at early stage and development of effective immunotherapies.
One of the Dr. Barua’s areas of research is to develop an early detection test consisting of a panel of serum markers and ultrasound contrast agents. Through federal (NIH and DOD) and foundation/philanthropy funding Dr. Barua has developed several ultrasound contrast agents which in combination with a panel of serum markers improved the rates of early detection of OVCA in laying hen model of spontaneous OVCA (Figure 1). Furthermore, Dr. Barua has shown that NK cells, as a member of innate immunity, play important roles against a developing tumor. However, ovarian tumors develop mechanism to evade NK cell immunity (Figure 2). One of the Dr. Barua’s areas of research is to prevent tumor induced suppression of NK cell immunity by dietary supplementation of natural products.
Figure 1. Contrast-enhanced molecular-targeted ultrasound imaging detected serous ovarian cancer at early stage in laying hen model.
Figure 2. Expression of CISH, a marker of NK cell exhaustion, increases during OVCA development and progression in patients.