Combination high-LET radiotherapy for relapsed neuroblastoma in children
Official title: COMBINATION HIGH-LET MOLECULAR RADIOTHERAPY OF RELAPSED REFRACTORY NEUROBLASTOMA
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11378537 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment approach uses high-linear-energy-transfer radiotherapy with novel ligands to target neuroblastoma that has returned or persisted in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,911,542 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA285959-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378537 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 with relapsed or high-risk neuroblastoma who express NET or SSTR2 targets.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not express the targeted biomarkers or who cannot tolerate radiotherapy may derive little benefit.
What this research studies
This grant aims to improve outcomes for kids with relapsed neuroblastoma by using high-LET radiotherapy that can destroy cancer cells more effectively. It combines radiation with novel targeting molecules to attack tumor sites while sparing healthy tissue. The study will build on existing NET and SSTR2 targets to attack multiple cancer-fighting pathways. Researchers will test the strategy in models and move toward settings where patients could receive the therapy. The goal is to achieve deeper, longer-lasting responses than current beta-emitting treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer more effective tumor control and longer survival for children with relapsed NB.
How similar studies have gone: Previous beta-emitting therapies have shown limited long-term success; this project seeks to surpass those results with high-LET radiation and dual targeting.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Hanwen — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Hanwen
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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.