Adopting a smart, personalized approach to treating pediatric cancer in Hispanic and Black children in Miami
Official title: Adopting a functional precision medicine approach to reduce cancer disparities in Hispanic and Black children of Miami
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-11385946 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program uses advanced biology and computer-guided testing to tailor safe, effective cancer treatments for children with relapsed or rare cancers in a diverse Miami community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $72,458 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD012393-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11385946 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and young adults with relapsed, refractory, or rare cancers who have exhausted standard-of-care options and can provide tumor tissue or samples for profiling and ex vivo testing.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with newly diagnosed cancers or those who rapidly respond to standard therapies may see limited additional benefit.
What this research studies
This project expands a clinically validated Functional Precision Medicine program that combines tumor profiling with high-throughput drug testing and explainable AI to create personalized, lower-toxicity treatment plans for pediatric patients who have exhausted standard therapies. It integrates genomic and transcriptomic data with live tumor culture responses to generate actionable recommendations. The approach aims to improve outcomes such as tumor response and progression-free survival while reducing treatment-related side effects. The team at Florida International University will apply these tools to children and young adults in a real-world setting to address disparities in cancer care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective and less toxic personalized therapies, potentially improving survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies of functional precision medicine and ex vivo drug testing have shown promise in guiding personalized treatment, though integration with AI and pediatric application is developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Azzam, Diana — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Azzam, Diana
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.