Blocking SIRT1 to slow childhood medulloblastoma
Official title: Targeting histone deacetylase SIRT1 in medulloblastoma
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11247564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether turning down a protein called SIRT1 can stop or slow the growth of a common childhood brain tumor called medulloblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | December 12, 2024 |
| Project end | December 1, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $468,421 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA290697-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with medulloblastoma—especially those whose tumors are classified as the SHH subtype—are the most directly relevant group for this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-SHH medulloblastoma subtypes or unrelated brain conditions are less likely to benefit from findings specific to SIRT1 and SHH-driven tumors.
What this research studies
Researchers at George Washington University are studying a protein named SIRT1 that helps control cell growth and may drive some medulloblastomas. In the lab they will map how SIRT1 alters cell structures called centrosomes and cilia by changing other proteins (including PLK2 and CCDC66). The team will test how changing SIRT1 activity affects tumor cells in dishes and in animal models, with a focus on the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subtype of medulloblastoma. The goal is to see whether targeting SIRT1 could lead to new treatment strategies for this subtype.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to slow or stop growth of SHH-subtype medulloblastoma and lead to future therapies for children with this tumor.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory studies in several cancers have linked SIRT1 to tumor growth and some early preclinical work supports targeting SIRT1, but applying this approach to medulloblastoma is relatively new and not yet tested in people.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seto, Edward — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: Seto, Edward
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Glial origins and signaling in childhood brain cancer (medulloblastoma)
A new study looks at how glial cells may drive relapse and growth in childhood medulloblastoma, with the goal of finding targeted treatments.
-
Next generation GPC2 CARs to treat pediatric medulloblastoma
A new CAR T-cell therapy approach targets a protein common on child brain tumor cells to improve outcomes for kids with medulloblastoma.
-
Targeting medulloblastoma with multispecific T-cell engagers
A pediatric brain cancer treatment study tests a new multi-targeted T-cell engager designed to reach brain tumors and help the immune system kill cancer cells.
-
Efflux-aware brain barrier model to guide pediatric medulloblastoma drug discovery
A study using a pediatric brain cancer model to test how radiation-activated digoxin-like compounds could safely reach brain tumors in children.
-
Overcoming medulloblastoma resistance in kids using in vivo perturb-seq and preclinical therapies
A patient-focused study aiming to find new, less toxic ways to treat pediatric medulloblastoma by using advanced genetic screening to identify effective drug targets in preclinical models.
-
Dysregulation of a key gene complex and its role in Group 4 medulloblastoma
A study explores how disruption of a core gene complex in brain development may drive Group 4 medulloblastoma and seeks to understand new ways to help affected children.
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.