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Rolf F. Barth, MD

Professor Emeritus

Rolf Barth, MD

Phone:

614-292-2177

E-mail:

Email Dr. Barth

Mailing Address:

4189 Graves Hall
333 W. 10th Ave
Columbus, OH 43210

Biosketch

I have been involved in cancer research for the past 35 years. The primary focus of my research has been in the field of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for the treatment of malignant gliomas, one of the most malignant of human cancers. BNCT is a noninvasive therapeutic modality for treating locally invasive malignant tumors such as primary brain tumors and recurrent head and neck cancer. It is a two-step procedure: first, the patient is injected with a non-radioactive tumor localizing boron-10–containing drug that has a high propensity to capture slow neutrons. The cross section of the boron-10 is one to two thousand times greater than that of the other elements normally present in tissues. In the second step, the patient is radiated with epithermal neutrons, which after losing energy as they penetrate tissue, are absorbed by the boron-10, which subsequently emits high-energy radiation, resulting in a biologically destructive nuclear reaction. I have utilized my training in tumor immunology to focus on the use of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs), directed against specific molecular targets such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), as boron delivery agents for BNCT to treat malignant brain tumors using a rat brain tumor model. Another component of my BNCT research has focused on the evaluation of low molecular weight boron compounds and optimization of their delivery for the treatment of brain tumors. A new area of research over the past 8 years has focused on another chemoradiotherapeutic approach for the treatment of brain tumors that combines administration of the anti-cancer drugs carboplatin or cisplatin directly to the site of the brain tumor combined with radiotherapy. This research has been funded by a variety of sources, including the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, the Department of Energy, and numerous private foundations. In addition to the research described above, I have had clinical responsibilities as a Pathologist on the Autopsy Service.

Board Certifications

1970 Anatomic Pathology, American Board of Pathology

Academic and Medical Appointments

2016-Present Academy Professor, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio.

2013-2016 Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio.

1979-2013 Professor, Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University, Columbus Ohio.

Education and Training

1964 M.D., College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York

1959 A.B., Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Selected Publications

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  • Brodsky SV, Barth RF, Mo X, Yildiz V, Allenby P, Ivanov I, Moore S, Hitchcock CL, Smith S, Sachak T, Yao K, Ball M, Rosborough K, Olson Z, Kiehl M, Muni N, Virmani R. :An obesity paradox: an inverse correlation between body mass index and atherosclerosis of the aorta. Cardiovasc Pathol. 2016 Nov - Dec;25(6):515-520. doi: 10.1016/j.carpath.2016.09.002.
  • Barth RF, Chen J.: What did Sun Yat-sen really die of? A re-assessment of his illness and the cause of his death. Chin J Cancer. 2016 Sep 2;35(1):81. doi: 10.1186/s40880-016-0144-9.
  • Barth, R.F., Wu, G., Meisen, W.H., Nakkula, R.J., Yang, W., Huo, T., Kellough, D.A., Kaumaya, P., Turro, C., Agius, L., Kaur, B.: Design, synthesis, and evaluation of cisplatin-containing EGFR targeting bioconjugates as potential therapeutic agents for brain tumors. Oncotargets and Therapy, 9:2769-2781.
  • Chandra, S., Parker, D.J., Barth, R.F., Pannullo, S.C.: Quantitative imaging of magnesium distribution at single-cell resolution in brain tumors and infiltrating tumor cells with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). J. Neuro-oncol. 127: 33-41, 2016 (doi: 10.1007/211060-015-2022-8).
  • Barth, R.F., Yang, W., Nakkula, R.J., Byun, Y., Tjarks, W., Wu, L.-C., Binns, P.J., Riley, K.J.: Evaluation of TK1 targeting carboranyl thymidine analogues as potential delivery agents for neutron capture therapy of brain tumors. Appl. Radiat. Isotopes, 106: 251-255, 2015 (doi: 10.1016/ j.apradiso.2015.06.031).
  • Barth, R.F. From the laboratory to the clinic: How translational studies in animals have lead to clinical advances in boron neutron capture therapy. Appl. Radiat. Isotopes, 106: 22-28, 2015 (doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.06.016).
  • Lim, S.N., Pradhan, A.K., Barth, R.F.*, Nahar, S.N., Nakkula, R.J., Yang, W., Palmer, A.M., Turro, C., Weldon, M., Bell, E.H., Mo, X.: Tumoricidal activity of low energy 160 kv X-rays versus 6 MV photons against platinum sensitized F98 glioma cells. J. Radiation Research, 56: 77-89, 2015 (doi: 10.1093/jrr/rru084).
  • Chandra, S., Ahmad, T., Barth, R.F., Kabalka, G.W.: Quantitative evaluation of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) drugs for boron delivery and retention at subcellular-scale resolution in human glioblastoma cells with imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). J. of Microscopy, 254:146-156, 2014.
  • Yang, W., Barth, R.F.*, Huo, T., Nakkula, R.J., Weldon, M., Gupta, N., Agius, L., Grecula, J.C.: Radiation therapy combined with intracerebral administration of carboplatin for the treatment of brain tumors. Radiat Oncol, 9:25, 2014 (doi:10.1186/1748-717X-9-25).
  • Yang, W., Barth, R.F.*, Huo, T., Kabalka, G.W., Shaikj, A.L., Hayder, S.A., Chandra, S.: Effects of L-DOPA preloading on the uptake of boronophenylalanine using the F98 glioma and B16 melanoma models. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 88:69-73, 2014.
  • Barth, R.F., Kabalka, W., Yang, W., Huo, T., Nakkula, R., Shaikh, A.L., Haider, S.A., Chandra, S.: Evaluation of unnatural cyclic amino acids as boron delivery agents for treatment of melanomas and gliomas [published online ahead of print]. Appl. Radiat. & Isot. 88:38-42, 2014.
  • Chandra, S., Barth, R.F., Haider, S.A., Yang, W., Huo, T., Shaikh, A.L., Kabalka, G.W.: Biodsitribution and subcellular localization of an unnatural boron-containing amino acid (Cis-ABCPC) by imaging secondary ion mass spectrometry for neutron capture therapy of melanomas and gliomas. PLOS ONE 8:9:e75377, 2013.
  • Bobyk, L., Edouard, M., Deman, P., Rousseau, J., Adam, J-F., Ravanat, J-L., Estève, F., Balosso, J., Barth, R.F., Elleaume, H.: Intracerebral delivery of carboplatin in combination with either 6 MV photons or monoenergetic synchrotron X-rays are equally efficacious for treatment of the F98 rat glioma. J. Experimental Clinical Cancer Research 31:78-84, 2012.
  • Racke, F.K., Baird, M, Barth, R.F., Huo, T., Yang, W., Gupta, N., Weldon, M., Rutledge, H.: Unique in vitro and in vivo thrombopoietic activities of ingenol 3,20 dibenzoate, a Ca++-independent protein kinase C isoform agonist. PLoSONE 7(12):e51059, 2012.
  • Huo, T., Barth, R.F.*, Yang, W., Nakkula, R.J., Koynova, R., Tenchov, B., Chaudhury, A.R., Agius, L., Boulikas, T., Elleaume, H., Lee, R.J.: Preparation, biodistribution and neurotoxicity of liposomal cisplatin following convection enhanced delivery in normal and F98 glioma bearing rats. PLoSONE 7(11):e48752, 2012.
  • Barth, R.F., Vicente, G.H., Harling, O.K., Riley, K.J., Binns, P.J., Kiger, W.S., Kawabata, S.: Boron neutron capture therapy as a treatment modality for high-grade gliomas. In Recent Advances in the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas and Future Directions. Eds. Chakravarti, A. and Fuss, M. Radiation Medicine Rounds, 3:209-226, 2012.
  • Barth, R.F., Vicente, M.G., Harling, O.K., Riley, K.J., Binns, P.J., Kiger III, W.S., Wagner, F.M., Suzuki, M., Aihara, T., Kato, T., Kawabata, S.: Current status of boron neutron capture therapy of high grade gliomas and recurrent head and neck cancer. Radiation Oncology 7:146-166, 2012.
  • Kabalka, G.W., Shaikh, A.L., Barth, R.F., Huo, T., Yang, W., Gordnier, P.M., and Chandra, S. Boronated unnatural cyclic amino acids as potential delivery agents for neutron capture therapy. Applied Radiation & Isotopes 69:1778-1781, 2011.
  • Barth, R.F., Yang, W., Huo, T., Riley, K., Binns, P., Grecula, J., Gupta, N., Rousseau, J., and Elleaume, H. Comparison of intracerebral delivery of carboplatin and photon irradiation with an optimized regimen for boron neutron capture therapy of F98 rat glioma. Applied Radiation & Isotopes 69:1813-1816, 2011.
  • Kawabata S., Yang, W., Barth, R.F.*, Wu, G., Huo, T., Binns, P.J., Riley, K.J., Ongayi, O., Gottumukkala, V., and Vicente, M.G.H.: Convection enhanced delivery of carboranylporphyrins for neutron capture therapy of brain tumors. J. Neuro-Oncology 103:175-185, 2011.