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Dr. Balaji Ramachandran

Professor

Department of Molecular Oncology

Education & Training

  • B. Pharmacy, Dr. MGR. Medical University, Chennai
  • Registered Pharmacist at Tamilnadu Pharmacy Council
  • M.Sc. Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Chennai
  • Ph.D, Pharmacotoxicology & Pharmacological Biotechnology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
  • CCLAS- FELASA (A to D)
  • LASA – Lifetime Member 

    Research Interest

    > Preclinical oncology and toxicology

    > Pharmacology, drug discovery and drug repurposing

    > Pharmacology of Antibodies

    > Mouse Models of Cancer; Reporter, CDX and PDX- models

    > Hormones and cancer

    > In vivo non-invasive BLI and FLI imaging

     

    Overview

    Core area of research : Preclinical drug discovery and Development

     

    Over the past 15+ years, my research at CANCER INSTITUTE WIA, ADYAR, CHENNAI has been deeply rooted in translational oncology, particularly focusing on the development and application of in vivo models such as CDX and PDX. These models have been essential in unravelling the complex interplay between tumor biology and predictive drug response. I have spent these years of my career in running several anti-cancer in vivo efficacy studies focused on Translational Cancer Research. As a collaborative effort, my scientific and technical expertise was used to cater to the needs of providing various animal models to run in vivo studies for research on cancer within and outside the Institute. Importantly, I have implemented the concept of non-invasive in vivo imaging to follow the animals in a non-invasive fashion and such combination of reporter models combined with in vivo imaging modalities would provide a functional, sensible, quick and direct read outs of the targets of interest by just looking at the bioluminescence and /or fluorescence read outs. These studies were facilitated by various completed and on-going extra-mural funded projects

     

    Preclinical drug discovery and development in Ewing sarcoma

    • Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) is a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer characterized by the unique translocation between chromosomes 11 and 22, leading to the fusion of genes between EWSR1- FLI1, which forms the EWSR1-FLI1 Fusion protein. This fusion protein was found to be specific to ES and to have a tumorigenic role. Due to its poor solubility and structure, we could not identify and directly target this protein with the drugs, and the standard of care regime of drugs are non-specific and has higher toxicity. Hence, we are working towards the identification and characterization of alternative targets in ES to set a fundamental base for the development of new targeted therapies 
    • Earlier, we have demonstrated the feasibility of generating novel EWS-FLI orthotopic homograft reporter mice. The model developed by us was established to allow non-invasive follow-up of EWS-FLI1 activation dynamics spatio-temporally, with the aid of optical in vivo imaging. We are currently performing improvements, so that this model could pave way to help to find a fundamental clue to demonstrate the in vivo proof of concept, of the ability of direct or indirect EWS-FLI1 inhibitors to effectively bring down ES tumor burden.
    • Next, we employed in silico screening of FDA-approved small molecules to target EWS-FLI1 fusion protein associated gene signatures in Ewings sarcoma, followed by in vitro and in vivo validation. On extensive high-throughput screening, few of the screened drugs emerged as promising candidates, showing significant effectiveness. Further validation, including combinatorial studies with doxorubicin, is underway to assess their potential as repurposed therapeutics.

     

     Hormonal involvement in cervical cancer 

    • Repeated parity and oral contraceptive usage are indicated as epidemiological factors to increase the risk of Cervical Cancer (CC). Presence of ERE’s in the integrated HPV were demonstrated to be a likely sensing element. These factors indicate the putative and unestablished involvement of physiological or pharmacological surge of estrogens. We are in the process of studying the hormone receptor-estrogen bound tissue-specific co-regulators complex (TSCRC) within the cervical tumor cellular compartments, which will be subsequently targeted by therapeutically relevant repurposed SERMs 

     

    Preclinical Drug discovery and development for Glioblastoma

    • Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults, accounting for 16% of all primary brain and central nervous system neoplasms. It is a grade IV glioma that rapidly develops from glial cells, in the brain. Its fast growth and high malignancy make it particularly challenging to treat effectively. Molecular studies have identified the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its mutant variant EGFRvIII as key players in GBM pathogenesis. EGFRvIII, present in ~40–50% of GBMs, promotes tumor growth, invasiveness, and treatment resistance. Interestingly, EGFRvIII is GBM tumor specific, due to its absence in normal tissues. We aim to establish EGFRvIII/EGFR wild-type luciferase-eGFP-positive cell lines as a high-throughput screening tool study model. Promising inhibitors were expected to be developed against EGFRvIII positive glioblastoma, ready for immediate clinical translation through such rapid tools. 

    Ongoing Projects

    In vivo assessment of toxicity and efficacy of MPP hydrochloride and epigallocatechin-3-gallate in cervical cancer

    Role: PI Funding agency: YSS–DST–SERB

    Identification of small molecule inhibitors for synovial sarcoma fusion proteins (SYT-SSX1 & SYT-SSX2) by in silico, in vitro & in vivo studies

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: DST–SERB

    Modelling of EWS-FLI orthotopic homograft reporter mice

    Role: PI Funding agency: SERB

    Identification of tumor suppressor kinase inactivation by pathogenic genetic variants and analysis of dysregulated signalling in gastric cancer

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: SERB

    Studies on improving the efficacy of dendritic cell vaccines by targeting indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenases (IDO1 and IDO2)

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: SERB

    ID-PPP-OTN: Infrastructure and development of technologies for pre-clinical evaluation, product establishment and platform integration for onco-theranostic applications

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: ID-PPP-OTN / IRHPA Scheme – SERB

    Screening and identification of hormone receptor-bound tissue-specific co-regulator complex proteins as novel therapeutic targets and subsequent drug repurposing in cervical cancer

    Role: PI Funding agency: ICMR – Small Grant

    Screening, identification and validation of BBB-permeable small molecules with predictive drug response against EGFRvIII-positive glioblastoma

    Role: PI Funding agency: The Terry Fox Foundation – Research Grant

    Prediction of T-cell and B-cell epitopes for AKAP, a cancer–testis antigen, by computational and experimental analysis

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: The Terry Fox Foundation – Research Grant

    ICMR-sponsored training in “Omics Techniques in Molecular Oncology” at the Molecular Oncology Department, Cancer Institute (WIA)

    Role: Co-PI Funding agency: ICMR–DHR – HRD Scheme

    Design of peptide-based checkpoint inhibitors for affordable targeted immuno-combination therapy

    Role: PI Funding agency: ICMR – Small Grant

    Publications

    1. Druggable up-regulated proteins in EWS-FLI-driven Ewing sarcoma as emerging new therapeutic targets. Jiauddin M*, Reddy K*, Ravi HP, Ramachandran B. (* first authors). Am. J.Translational Res. 2025. DOI: 10.62347/YMEU1808.
    2. Efficacy Assessment of Sulfated Flavanol Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles against MCF-7 Breast Cancer. Rajawat S, Ramachandran B, Malik M.M. Clinical Cancer Drugs. 2024.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.2174/012212697X345534241121082505.
    3. A reproducible and affordable method of conducting Luciferase assay. Reddy K and Ramachandran B. Analytical Biochemistry. 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2024.115558.
    4. Mitochondrial Ribosomal Small Subunit (MRPS) MRPS23 protein-protein interaction reveals phosphorylation by CDK11-p58 affecting cell proliferation and knockdown of MRPS23 sensitizes breast cancer cells to CDK1 inhibitors. Oviya RP, Thangaretnam K, Ramachandran B, Ramanathan P, Jayavelu S, Gopisetty G, Rajkumar T.  Mol Biol Rep. 2022 Oct;49(10):9521-9534. DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07842-y.
    5. Overexpression of Laminin-5 Gamma-2 promotes tumorigenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma through EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT/mTOR cascade. Kirtonia A, Pandey AK, Ramachandran B, Mishra DP , Dawson DW, Sethi G, Ganesan TS, Koeffler HP, Garg M. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.  2022 Jun 14;79(7):362. DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04392-1.
    6. Challenges in modeling EWS-FLI1-driven transgenic mouse model for Ewing sarcoma. Ramachandran B, Rajkumar T and Gopisetty G. Am. J.Translational Res. 2021 Nov 15;13(11):12181-12194. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34956445/.
    7. SERMs suppresses the growth of ERα positive cervical cancer xenografts through predominant inhibition of extra-nuclear ERα expression. Ramachandran B,   Murhekar k and Sundersingh S. Am. J.Cancer Res. 2021 Jun 15;11(6):3335-3353. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34249466/.
    8. Pioglitazone modulates doxorubicin resistance in a in vivo model of drug resistant osteosarcoma xenograft. Natarajan A, Ramachandran B, Gopisetty G, Jayavelu S, Sundersingh S, Rajkumar T. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2021 Feb;394(2):361-371. DOI: 10.1007/s00210-020-01982-3.
    9. The hedgehog pathway regulates cancer stem cells in serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Sneha S, Nagare RP, Sidhanth C, Krishnapriya S, Garg M, Ramachandran B, Murhekar K, Sundersingh S, Ganesan TS. Cell Oncol (Dordr). 2020 Aug;43(4):601-616. DOI: 10.1007/s13402-020-00504-w.
    10. ALDH1A1+ ovarian cancer stem cells co-expressing surface markers CD24, EPHA1 and CD9 form tumours in vivo. Nagare RP, Sneha S, Krishnapriya S, Ramachandran B, Murhekar K, Vasudevan S, Shabna A, Ganesan TS. Experimental Cell Research. 2020 Jul 1;392(1):112009. DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.112009.
    11. Cancer stem cells contribute to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in serous adenocarcinoma of the ovary. Krishnapriya S, Sidhanth C, Manasa P, Sneha S, Bindhya S, Nagare RP, Ramachandran B, Vishwanathan P, Murhekar K, Shirley S, Ganesan TS. Angiogenesis. 2019 Aug;22(3):441-455. DOI: 10.1007/s10456-019-09669-x.
    12. In silico and in vitro screening of small molecule Inhibitors against SYT-SSX1 fusion protein in synovial sarcoma. Valliyammai N, Priya R, Gopisetty G, Ramachandran B, Rajkumar T, Sabitha K. Computational Biology and Chemistry. 2018 Dec 77:36-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2018.09.006.
    13. Functional association of oestrogen receptors with HPV infection in Cervical Carcinogenesis. Ramachandran B. Endocrine-Related Cancer. 2017 April 24, R99–R108. IF: 5.9. Selected for Journal Based Learning & top downloaded article. DOI: 10.1530/ERC-16-0571.
    14. Molecular modeling and docking of small molecule inhibitors against NEK2. Ramachandran B, Kesavan S, Rajkumar T. Bioinformation . 2016 March 12(2): 62-68. DOI: 10.6026/97320630012062. 
    15. Repeated dose studies with pure Epigallocatechin-3-gallate demonstrated dose and route dependant hepatotoxicity with associated dyslipidemia. Ramachandran B, Jayavelu S, Murhekar K and Rajkumar T. Toxicology Reports. 2016 March 03 ;3 :336–45. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2016.03.001.
    16. Bioluminescence imaging of estrogen receptor activity during breast cancer progression. Vantaggiato C, Dell’Omo G, Ramachandran B, Manni I, Radaelli E, Scanziani E,  Piaggio G, Maggi A and  Ciana P. Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2016;6(1):32-41. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27069764/.
    17. Sexually immature male ERE-Luc reporter mice to assess low dose estrogen-like effects of CdCl2 versus dietary Cd. Ramachandran.B, Rizzi.N and Maggi.A. Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2014 Apr 25; 4(3):270-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24795841/.
    18. Molecular imaging of NF-Y transcriptional activity maps proliferation sites in live mice; Goeman.F*, Manni.I*, Artuso.S*, Ramachandran.B, Toietta.G, Bossi.G, Rando.G, Cencioni.C, Germoni.S,  Straino.S , Capogrossi.M, Bacchetti.S, Maggi.A, Sacchi.A, Ciana.P, Piaggio.G. Mol Biol Cell – Cover page article. 2012 Apr;23(8):1467-74.  (* first authors).  DOI: 10.1091/mbc.E12-01-0039.
    19. Novel insights on imaging sex hormone-dependent tumourigenesis in vivo; Ramachandran.B, Stell.A, Maravigna.L, Maggi.A and Ciana.P.  Endocrine-Related Cancer – Invited article. 2 Apr 2011;18(3):R41-51. DOI: 10.1530/ERC-10-0332.
    20. Estrogen-like effects of diet-derived cadmium differ from those of orally administered CdCl2 in the ERE-luc estrogen reporter mouse model; Ramachandran.B, Makela.S, Cravedi.J-P, Berglaund.M, Hakansson.H, Damdimopoulou.P and Maggi.A. Toxicology Letters. 25 Apr 2011;202(2):75-84. Epub 2010 Dec 30. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.12.022.
    21. Estrogen receptor β and the progression of prostate cancer: role of 5 -androstane-3β, 17β-diol (3β-Adiol); Dondi.D, Piccolella.M, Biserni.A, DellaTorre.S, Ramachandran.B, Locatelli.A, Sau.D, Maggi.A, Caruso.D, Ciana.P, Poletti.A. Endocrine-Related cancer. Jul 2010;17(3):731-42. DOI: 10.1677/ERC-10-0032.
    22. An innovative method to classify SERM’s based on the dynamics of estrogen receptor transcriptional activity in living animals. Rando.G, Horner.D, Biserni.A, Ramachandran.B, Caruso.D, Ciana.P, Komm.B and Maggi.A. Molecular Endocrinology. Apr 2010; 24(4):735-44. IF: 4.7. Molecular Endocrinology journal merged to Endocrinology after 2016. DOI: 10.1210/me.2009-0514.
    23. Differential estrogen receptors activity in animals treated with pure genistein or consuming genistein with feed; Rando.G, Ramachandran.B, Rebecchi.M, Ciana.P and Maggi.A. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. Jun 2009; 237(3):288-97.  DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2009.03.022.
    24. Cancer Modeling: Modern imaging applications in the generation of novel animal model systems to study cancer progression and therapy; Stell.A, Biserni.A, DellaTorre.S, Rando.G, Ramachandran.B, Ottobrini.L, Lucignani .G, Maggi.A and Ciana.P. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology. March 2007; 39(7-8) :1288– 1296. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.02.019.
    25. Multimodality Imaging: Novel Pharmacological Applications of Reporter systems; Stell.A, Belcredito.S, Ramachandran.B, Biserni.A, Rando.G, Ciana.P and Maggi.A. Quartely journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Jun 2007; 51(2):127-38. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17420714/.
    26. Differente effetto di isoflavoni e latte di soia sull’attività del recettore degli estrogeni nel topo; Rando.G, Ramachandran.B, Rebecchi.M, Ciana.P, Maggi.A. Rapporti ISTISAN 09/18, p.(87).
    27. Il topo ERE-luc: un modello per identificare e studiare gli interferenti endocrini presenti nel cibo; Ramachandran.B, Ciana.P, Maggi.A. Rapporti ISTISAN 09/18, p.(86). 
    28. Reporter mice to detect and predict the toxicity of endocrine disruptors; Rando.G, Ramachandran.B, Maggi.A and Ciana.P. Toxicology Letters. October 2007 ; 172 (1) P.(S27).
    29. Rizzi.N, Ramachandran.B, Vantaggiato.C, Ciana.P and Maggi.A. Chapter .No.5: Reporter mice for the study of long term effects of drugs and toxic compounds. Methods Mol Biol. 2014;1204:45-58. Editor: Castoria  Gabriella, Auricchio Ferdinando.
    30. Ramachandran.B and Maggi.A.  Chapter 09: Application of reporter animals as novel tools in food safety research. Book Name: Hormone-disruptive chemical contaminants in food. Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Issues in Toxicology Series (2011, p. 154 – 169). Editor: Ingemar Pongratz and Linda Bergander.

    link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=Ux3eLt0AAAAJ&hl=en

    Patents

    1. A process for development of EFRE and EWS-FLI1 containing dual reporter plasmid constructs for high-throughput screening assays in Ewing sarcoma. Inventors : Dr. Balaji Ramachandran and Mrs. Kirtana Reddy. Indian Patent application no: 202341035803, filed on 23/05/2023.
    2. CIWIA LUC flash assay cocktail KIT: a kit for Cost-Effective Luciferase Assays. Inventors : Dr. Balaji Ramachandran and Mrs. Kirtana Reddy. Indian Patent application no: 202441090853, filed on 22/11/2024.
    3. Single-chain variable fragment CISCFV-anti-CD99 and recombinant antibody CIAb-anti-CD99 for targeted therapy of CD99-expressing Ewing sarcoma. Inventors: Dr.Gopisetty G, Ms. Sabapathy Y, Dr. Ramachandran B, Dr. Ramanathan P and Dr. Thangarajan R. IPA no: 202541085653 filed on 09/09/2025.

    Lab Members

    Dr. Vaishnavi Mohan

    Permanent Veterinarian

    Mr. M. Vijayavel

    nimal House Technician

    Mr. R. Rithik Roshan

    CSIR-NET Junior Research Fellow

    Kirtana R

    PhD CandidateSERB-JRF/SRF

    Yogalakshmi S

    PhD CandidateSERB-JRF/SRF

    Anusha J

    PhD CandidateSERB-P. Associate

    Moinuddin J

    PhD CandidateDBT-JRF

    Pavithra A

    PhD CandidateCMRF

    Opportunities

    Our lab welcomes enthusiastic students with a solid foundation in Molecular anti-cancer drug discovery and development. Students with independent fellowships are especially encouraged to apply.

    To apply visit https://cancerinstitutewia.in/career/

    Contact: PI/Lab email

    r.balaji@cancerinstitutewia.org