CURRICULUM VITAE
Apostolos Stathopoulos, MD PhD
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Education
Other Studies
Scientific Interests
Personal Research
Grants
Prizes
Various
Publications In International Journals With Review Board
Abstracts
Presentations To National And International Scientific Congresses
Oral Presentations
Press Book
Languages
Links
EDUCATION
Degree in Medical Science, Universite de Mons, Belgium, 1996.
Doctor of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium 2000.
Doctor of Philosophy, Wageningen University, Netherlands 2012.
Clinical Training in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics:
3rd - 4th Year Doctorate 1998-2000
Clinical Training in Surgery:
3rd - 4th Year Doctorate 1998-2000
Awarded Doctorate in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics with Distinction, June 27, 2000
Dissertation: Gene transfer into rat and human ventral mid-brain tissue by means of a recombinated viral vector based on adeno-associated virus (AAV), May 15, 2000 Highest distinction
Specialized Training In Neurosurgery: Universite de Liege, Belgium
University of Southern California, Los Angeles U.S.A.
Neurosurgeon - June 22, 2006
Current Position:
Neurosurgeon, Department of Neurosurgery Polyclinique de Poitiers, France
First investigator in neuroimmunology and Brain Tumor rejection by Immunomodulation Brain Tumor Lab and Neuro-Oncology, University of Southern California, Department of Neurosurgery Los-Angeles U.S.A.
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OTHER STUDIES
Advanced Practical Workshop, European Commission Biotechnology Programme. The Federation of the European Biochemical Societies (FEBS):
Certificate in In Vitro Practical Techniques for Neuroscience. Bristol 14-24 July 1998.
The European Association of Neurosurgical Societies
Part 1 EANS European Examination August 2004
Certificate of Training in Environmental Health and Safety. University Of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A june 24, 2005
Certificate of completion to Post-Procedure Care of Mice and Rats. University of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A July, 2005
Certificate of completion to Working with Laboratory Rabbits-USC. University of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A July, 2005
Certificate of completion to Working with Laboratory Rats-USC. University of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A July, 2005
Certificate of completion to Working with Laboratory Mice-USC. University of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A July, 2005
Certificate of completion to Working with the IACUC. University of Southern California Los Angeles U.S.A July, 2005
Fellowship in Neuro-Oncology,
University of Southern California Los Angeles 02/2006
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SCIENTIFIC INTERESTS
Since October 1996:
Neurosurgery Department (Prof. J. Brotchi) and Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Human and Nuclear Biology (Prof. TH. Velu, I.R.I.B.H.N). Faculty of Medicine, Universite Libre de Bruxelles (U.L.B)
Position: Research student
Under the Supervision of: L.Tenenbaum Ph.D.
Involvement in the Laboratory's Research Projects:
a. Generation and evaluation of AAV (adeno-associated virus) vectors expressing neurotrophic factors for genetic therapy of Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. In particular, improvement of survival of human ventral fetal mid-brain tissue humain genetically modified by an AAV vector expressing the "glial-derived neurotrophic factor" (GDNF).
b. Experimentation in vivo
i) Expression of the gfp-carrying gene in the striatum of an adult rat after stereotactic injection of an AAV vector (technique taught by Prof. M. Levivier.) Visualisation of the gfp-gene on frozen slides by immunocytochemistry.
ii) Improvement of survival of a graft of mid-brain ventral fetal tissue genetically modified by AAV-CMV-GDNF in the striatum of an adult rat in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease in rats.
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PERSONAL RESEARCH
a. Improvement of detection of cells genetically modified by AAV vectors by fusing the gfp (green fluorescent protein)-carrying gene and the trans-membrane protein IsK. Techniques used for gfp-IsK fusion: PCR, cloning.
The expression was tested:
i) By transfection, on different cell lines by transfection: 293 HEK (human embryonnic kidney), glioblastome U373-MG, astrocytome U87-MG ;
ii) By transfection on normal young rat astrocytes;
iii)
in vivo in the striatum of the rat after stereotactic injection of AAV virus expressing the fusion.
b. Study of toxicity of the proteic sub-unit: ISK-Potassium channel in human glial cell lines (U373-MG, U87-MG).
July 1998
Cardiac Surgery Department: Prof. J. L. Leclerc
Supervising doctor: Janssens J. L.
Position: Research student
Description of work: Proposal of the most suitable vector for gene therapy carrying the angiogenesis gene as therapeutic agent in myocardic ischemia.
October 1998
Neurosurgery Department: Prof. J. Brotchi
Supervising doctor: M. Levivier
Position: Trainee clinical researcher in medicine
Description of work: Electrostimulation of sub-thalamic nucleus in a patient of 40 years of age with Parkinson's disease.
Neurology Department: Prof. J. Hildebrand
Supervising doctors: M. Manto; M. Levivier.
Description of work. Evaluation of the functioning of the experimental prototype of electrophysiological recording of the different basal nuclei in adult rats.
September -October 1999
2-Month Clinical Internship in the Neurosurgery Department at Brigham and Womens Hospital Childrens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, U.S.A., under the Supervision of Prof Peter Black.
April 2005 - Current
U.S.C. Department of Neurosurgery .
Chief of the brain tumor research center: Thomas Chen MD PhD
Position: Principal investigator at the U.S.C. Brain tumor Research center from April 2005
Description of Research project: Brain tumor rejection by immuno-modulation
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GRANTS
Youth Travel Fund of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS)
Travel grant to take part in FEBS course: In vitro Practical Techniques for Neuroscience Bristol,14-24 July 1999.
D.R.I. (Department of International Relations, Free University of Brussels)
Grant for Clinical Internship at Harvard Medical School.
Bayer Award from Belgian Society of Neurosurgery
Travel grant to take part in main experience at the brain tumor lab of U.S.C. Los Angeles 12/2006
Grant awarded by Bayer from Belgium Society of Neurosurgery for "Brain tumor subcutaneously implanted and rejected by immunomodulation in two strains of rat" on March 18, 2006
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PRIZES
Final Year Prize, 4th High School, Volos, 1989
Prize awarded by Rotary Club Val Duchesse (Brussels) for Gene transfer into rat and human ventral mid-brain tissue by means of a recombinated vector based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) on May 23, 2000.
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VARIOUS
Acceptance for a clinical internship at Brigham and Women's Hospital Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurosurgery, under Professor Peter Black, September - October 1999
Acceptance for a Clinical Internship at NYU MEDICAL CENTER, Department of Neurosurgery, under Professor P. J. Kelly, September - October 1999
Acceptance for a research fellow at the USC Brain Tumor Research Center, April 2005
Student Representative, 5th and 6th year, 4th High School, Volos
Student Representative, 2nd and 3rd Year Undergraduate Studies in Medicine, University of Mons.
Student Representative, 2nd , 3rd, and 4th year, Doctorate in Medicine, Free University of Brussels (ULB).
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PUBLICATIONS IN INTERNATIONAL JOURNALS WITH REVIEW BOARD
L.Tenenbaum, M. Hamdane, M. Pouzet, B. Avalosse, A. Stathopoulos, F. Jurysta, C. Rosenbaum, CO. Hanemann, M. Levivier, and T. Velu (1999): Cellular contaminants of adeno-associated virus vector stocks can enhance transduction. Gene Therapy 6, 1045-1053.
A. Stathopoulos, L.Tenenbaum, F. Jurysta, Z. Puschban, T. Velu, and M. Levivier (1998): Efficiency and cell type specificity of gene transfer mediated by an adeno-associated virus derived vector in various regions of the rat brain. Cell Biology International, vol. 23 (2), 144-145.
L.Tenenbaum , F. Jurysta, A. Stathopoulos, Z. Puschban, C. Melas, W. Hermens, J. Verhaaghen, T. Velu, and M. Levivier (2000): Tropism of AAV vectors for neurons of the globus pallidus. Neuroreport vol. 11 (10), 2277-2283.
E. Lehtonen, L. Tenenbaum, F. Bonnaud, A. Chtarto, A. Stathopoulos, F. Rodesh, T. Velu, M. Peschanski, J. Brotchi, and M. Levivier (2001): Efficient and sustained transduction of human and rat fetal ventral mesencephalon mediated by adeno-associated virus vectors. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders vol 7 Supplement, S39.
L.Tenenbaum, M. Peschanski, C. Melas, F. Rodesch, E. Lehtonen, A. Stathopoulos, T. Velu, J. Brotchi and M. Levivier: Efficient early and sustained transduction of human fetal mesencephalon using adeno-associated virus type 2 vectors. Cell Transplantation. 2004;13(5):565-71
A. Stathopoulos, C. Melas, B. Attali, D. Blum, M. Levivier, J. Brotchi, T. Velu, and L. Tennebaum Overexpression of mouse IsK protein fused to green fluorescent protein induces apoptosis of human astroglioma cells (in press Neurological Research May 2006)
A.Stathopoulos, Samuelson C, Milbouw G, Hermanne JP, Schijns VEJC, Chen TC. Therapeutic vaccination against malignant gliomas based on allorecognition and syngeneic tumor antigens: proof of principle in two strains of rat. Vaccine 26:1764-1772, 2008.
F.M. Hofman, A. Stathopoulos, C.A. Kruse, T.C. Chen and V.E.J.C. Schijns, Immunotherapy of Malignant Gliomas Using Autologous and Allogeneic Tissue Cells Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2010, 10, 000-000
A.Stathopoulos, Chrystel Pretto, Laurent Devilliers, Denis Pierre, Florence M. Hofman, Carol Kruse, Martin Jadus, Thomas C. Chen and Virgil E.J.C. Schijns. Development of immune memory to glial brain tumors after tumor regression induced by immunotherapeutic Toll-like receptor 7/8 activation OncoImmunology 1:3, 1–10; May/June 2012; G 2012 Landes Bioscience
A.Stathopoulos, Chrystel Pretto, Laurent Devilliers, Denis Pierre, Florence M. Hofman, Alan L. Epstein, Hooman Farghadani, Carol Kruse, Martin Jadus, Thomas C. Chen and Virgil E.J.C. Schijns. Exploring the Therapeutic Efficacy of Glioma Vaccines Based on Allo- and Syngeneic Antigens and Distinct Immunological Costimulation Activators. J Clin Cell Immunol 2012
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ABSTRACTS
L. Tenenbaum, M. Pouzet, A. Stathopoulos, F. Jurysta, M. Hamdane, B. Avalosse, W. Hermens, J. Verhaagen, C. Rosenbaum, O. C. Hanemann, T. Velu and M. Levivier (1998): Cellular specificity of AAV vectors-mediated transduction in vitro and in vivo. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 24: 1307.
L. Tenenbaum, F. Bonnaud, M. Peschanski, C. Melas, G. Saber, A. Stathopoulos, F. Rodesh, T. Velu and M. Levivier (1999): AAV-mediated transduction of human fetal brain tissue. Society for Neuroscience Abstract n° 2126
A. Stathopoulos, L. Tenenbaum, C. Melas, B. Attali, T. Velu and M. Levivier (1999): AAV-mediated expression of an IsK-GFP fusion protein in human glial cell lines. Society For Neuroscience Abstract n°13247 .
L. Tenenbaum, F. Jurysta, A. Stathopoulos, Z. Puschban, T. Velu and M. Levivier (1999): Cellular tropism of rAAV-mediated transduction in the rat brain. Cell Transplantation, vol.8 n°4 p416
Stathopoulos, C. Melas, B. Attali, E. Lehtonen, F. Jurysta, A. Charto, T. Velu, M. Levivier and L. Tenenbaum (March 18th 2000): Toxicity of ISK-Potassium channel subunit in human glial cell lines: Spring meeting of the Belgian Society for Cell Biology.
L. Tenenbaum, F. Bonnau, A. Charto, C. Melas, G. Saber, A. Stathopoulos, F. Rodesch, T. Velu, M. Peschanski, and M. Levivier (June 28th-July 2nd, 2000): Efficient early and sustained AAV-mediated transduction of humain and rat fetal brain tissue. VIIIth Parvovirus Workshop, Hotel Club Tremblant. Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
11/03/06 Spring meeting of Belgian Society of Neurology K.U.L Leuven.
A.Stathopoulos, C. Samuelson, M. Jabbour, V. Gupta, E. Aertgeerts, W. Wang, G. Milbouw, J.P. Hermanne, B. Kaschten, V. Petrov, J.M. Van de Velde, F. Hofman, A. Schonthal, and T.c. Chen: Rejection of Subcutaneously Implanted Malignant Gliomas via Immunodulation in Two Strains of Rat: Proof of Principle
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PRESENTATIONS TO NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONGRESSES
International Conference on Vectors for Gene Therapy Brussels, March 12-14, 1998
Oral Communication: AAV vectors: infectious titer does not correlate with transducing titer. L. Tenenbaum, M. Hamdane, M. Pouzet, B. Avalosse, A. Stathopoulos, C. Rosenbaum, O. Hanemann, F. Jurysta, W. Hermens, J. Verhaagen, T. Velu and M. Levivier.
Symposium of the Belgian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society, Namur, Oct. 1998.
Poster: Efficiency and cell type specificity of gene transfer mediated by an adeno-associated virus derived vector in various regions of the rat brain. A. Stathopoulos, L. Tenenbaum, F. Jurysta, Z. Puschban, T. Velu and M. Levivier.
28th Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Los Angeles, Nov. 7-12, 1998
Poster: Cellular specificity of AAV vectors-mediated transduction in vitro and in vivo. L.Tenenbaum, M.Pouzet, A.Stathopoulos, F.Jurysta, M.Hamdane, B.Avalosse, W.Hermens, J.Verhaagen, C.Rosenbaum, O.C.Hanemann, T.Velu and M.Levivier.
10th Annual NECTAR (Network European CNS transplantation and Restoration) meeting, Amsterdam, 4-6 December 1998.
Oral Communication: Cellular tropism of AAV vectors-mediated gene transfer in the rat brain. L.Tenenbaum, F.Jurysta, A.Stathopoulos, C.Melas, Z.Puschban, T.Velu and M.Levivier.
29th Annual Meeting Soc. For Neuroscience, Miami, 23-28 Oct.1999
1. L.Tenenbaum, F.Bonnaud, M.Peschanski, C.Melas, G.Saber, A.Stathopoulos, F.Rodesh, T.Velu and M.Levivier. Aav-mediated transduction of human fetal brain tissue.
2. A.Stathopoulos, L.Tenenbaum, C.Melas, B.Attali, T.Velu and M.Levivier. Aav-mediated expression of A isk-gfp fusion protein in human glial cell lines.
Société Francaise de Neurochirurgie,Guadeloupe, Jan. 2000 ‘’Transplantation of genetically-modified fetal brain tissue: a new aproach to improve graft survival in Parkinson’s disease. M.Levivier, L.Tenenbaum, F.Bonnaud, C.Melas, G.Saber, A.Stathopoulos, F.Rodesch, T.Velu, M.Peschanski And J.Brotchi.
Spring Meeting of the Belgian Society for Cell Biology (March 18th 2000 Brussels)
Poster: Toxicity of ISK-Potassium channel subunit in human glial cell lines.
A.Stathopoulos, C.Melas, B.Attali, E.Lehtonen, F.Jurysta, A.Charto, T.Velu, M.Levivier and L.Tenenbaum.
IV International Congress on Parkinson’s Disease (27 July-1 August 2001, Helsinki, Finland). Poster: Efficient and sustained transduction of human and rat fetal ventral mesencephalon mediated by adeno-associated virus vectors. E. Lehtonen, L. Tenenbaum, F. Bonnaud, A. Chtarto, A. Stathopoulos, F. Rodesh, T. Velu, M. Peschanski, J. Brotchi, and M. Levivier.
XXIth Colloquium of the Development of Biology Group Villefranche sur Mer, 16-17 Mai 2002. Poster: Efficient transduction of human and rat fetal ventral mesencephalon mediated by adeno-associated virus.E.Lehtonen1,2 ,F.Bonnaut4 , C.Melas1,2 A.Lubansu1 , A.Chtarto1,2 , A.Stathopoulos1,2 , F.Rodesch3 , T.Velu2 ,M.Penschanski4 , J.Brotchi1 , M.Levivier1 and L. Tenenbaum1,2 ,
1 Lab. Experimental Neurosurgery and 2 I.R.I.B.H.N; 3 Dept Gynaecology, U.L.B.-Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium, 4 INSERM U421, Créteil, France.
Annual meeting of the Belgian Neurosurgery Society at UCL Hospital, Mont-Godinne. March 27, 2004. Poster: Evolutive disease of Lhermitte-duclos: case report and review of the literature. Stathopoulos A. 1, Lenelle J. 1, Deprez M. 2 , Stevenaert A.1 1 Department of Neurosurgery and 2 Department of neuropathology.
CHU Sart-Tilman - Liege, Belgium.
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ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
Brigham and Women's Hospital Children's Hospital Harvard Medical School
Department of Neurosurgery Prof. P. Black : September - October 1999
Weekly Neurosurgery Seminar.
Presentation of Own Research: Aav-mediated expression of isk-gfp fusion protein in human glial cell lines.
Rotary Club Val Duchesse (Brussels): Gene transfer into rat and human ventral mid-brain tissue by means of a recombinated viral vector based on adeno-associated virus (AAV) le May 23, 2000
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PRESS BOOK
“AAV-mediated transduction of human fetal brain tissue’’
29th Annual meeting Soc. For Neuroscience, Miami, 23-28 Oct. 1999.
Selected by the press committee of the American Society of Neuroscience for publication in the ‘Press Book’ of the congress.
Annual meeting of the Belgian Neurosurgery Society at UCL Hospital, Mont-Godinne.
Anterior cervical spine fusion using P.E.E.K. material cages avoiding iliac crest spongiosa : experiences and results, March 23, 2002.
A.Stathopoulos, V.Petrov C.H.R Namur
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege
Service de Soins Intensifs Generaux et Centre des Brules
Department of Intensive Care: Prof. P. Damas, Department of Neurosurgery: Prof. A.Stevenaert, Department of Anaesthesia: Prof. M.Lamy September-October 2003 Monthly Anaesthesia-Reanimation-Neurosurgery Meeting.
Presentation : The Role Of Decompressive Craniectomy In The Treatment Of Uncontrollable Post-Traumatic Intracranial Hypertension Indication And Results.
A.Stathopoulos. September 23, 2003 C.H.U Liege
EANS Training course krakow 22 nd –26 th August 2004
Evolutive disease of lhermitte-duclos :case report and review of the literature, the 25/08/04
A.Stathopoulos
11/03/06 Spring meeting of Belgian Society of Neurology K.U.L Leuven.
A.Stathopoulos, C. Samuelson, M. Jabbour, V. Gupta, E. Aertgeerts, W. Wang, G. Milbouw, J.P. Hermanne, B. Kaschten, V. Petrov, J.M. Van de Velde, F. Hofman, A. Schonthal, and T.c. Chen: Rejection of Subcutaneously Implanted Malignant Gliomas via Immunodulation in Two Strains of Rat: Proof of Principle
03/28/07 Grand rounds Department of Neurosurgery U.S.C. - Los Angeles U.S.A.
"Therapeutic vaccination against Malignant Gliomas based on allorecognition and syngeneic tumor antigens: Proof of Principle in Two Strains of Rat".
8/08/07 Brain Tumor immunotherapy Symposium Aspen Colorado, USA
Elimination of Intracranial Gliomas via Immune Rejection of Subcutaneous Allogeneic Glioma Cell Lysate
Greek newspaper interviewed Dr. A Stathopoulos about the feasibility and prepartion of the Glioblastoma vaccine. Click image for larger version.
Click image below for another article on Dr. Stathopoulos.
First International Meeting for GBM-Vaccine Consortium
Research article published in Vaccine journal
Web article published on 6/19/2009
Watch the opening of ERC's Lab in Belgium - 2009
Video 1
Video 2
Published paper - October 2010 - click link below
Immunotherapy of Malignant Gliomas Using Autologous and Allogeneic Tissue Cells
ERC gets Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of glioma
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Greek (native)
French
English
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LINKS
International Collaborators
Dr. Stathopoulos is conducting his current experiments with the following people:
Dr. Thomas Chen and USC brain research team
USC Brain Research Team
Dr. Chen's Website
One of the pricipal consultants for allogeneic rejection research. Dr. Nicolas Jabbour - a liver transplant surgeon
Dr. Jabbour's Website
Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC) - Dr. Stathopoulos is the CEO of ERC. ERC Belgium SA is a research and pharmaceutical company focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical testing of a new cell therapy anti-cancer vaccine. The final goal of the company is to provide generic cell therapy treatments against solid tumor cancers.
CV/Biosketch for Dr. Stathopoulos
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Letter
Johns Hopkins Letter
University of Pittsburgh Letter
ERC - FDA Phase II Clinical trial (IND 15430)
National Collaborators
Centre Hospitalier Regional de Namur
Patents
Dr. Stathopoulos was granted a patent for his tumor vaccine process. http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2007085648
https://register.epoline.org/espacenet/application?number=EP07712123&tab=main
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