A 3D platform to study how Ewing sarcoma spreads to bones
Official title: 3D bioengineered microfluidic platform for research on Ewing sarcoma bone metastasis
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-10976090 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Ewing sarcoma, a bone cancer that affects kids, spreads to bones and trying to find out what makes it worse, using a special lab setup that mimics bone to learn more about the cancer's behavior and the genes involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | July 2, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $401,115 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA294025-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976090 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, particularly those with or at risk for bone metastasis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Ewing sarcoma who do not have bone metastasis or those with other types of cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer in children, spreads to bones, which is linked to worse outcomes. The team is developing a 3D microfluidic platform that mimics the bone environment to better understand the mechanisms behind this spread. By using advanced techniques like CRISPR screens, they aim to identify the genetic factors that enable cancer cells to colonize bone tissue. This innovative approach addresses the challenges of studying bone metastasis in traditional models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating bone metastasis in children with Ewing sarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using a 3D microfluidic platform is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other cancer research, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kitlinska, Joanna B. — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Kitlinska, Joanna B.
Related research
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-
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RAPID: A patient-centered, fast-tracked drug trial platform for young people with relapsed Ewing sarcoma and DSRCT
A patient-friendly, open-label phase 2 platform trial tests promising drug combinations for teens and young adults whose Ewing sarcoma or DSRCT has come back or not responded to treatment.
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Function and Targeting of ETV6 in Ewing Sarcoma
A scientist at Case Western Reserve University is studying a specific protein, ETV6, that helps a rare bone cancer called Ewing sarcoma, with the goal of finding targeted therapies that could spare healthy cells.
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Targeting immune markers in Ewing Sarcoma to guide safer, more effective therapies
A funded project at Stanford aims to use immune markers on Ewing Sarcoma to develop targeted immunotherapies that work in children and adults with this cancer.
-
Ewing sarcoma: how DNA repair weaknesses affect risk and treatment
A clinician-researcher team at Dana-Farber is studying how DNA damage repair weaknesses help drive Ewing sarcoma in kids and teens, with the goal of better predicting risk and guiding therapy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.