Computational methods to design new immunotherapies for childhood cancer
Official title: Development and deployment of computational methods to create novel immunotherapies for children with cancer
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11447715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric cancer program is using advanced computer tools to find new immune-based treatments for children with neuroblastoma and related cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $181,610 |
| NIH project number | 1R50CA293895-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents with neuroblastoma or related pediatric cancers, or who contribute samples to translational research efforts.
✕Less likely to help
If a child’s tumor lacks the specific immunopeptidome features or HLA types studied, direct benefit may be limited.
What this research studies
This project leverages big data from patient samples and preclinical models to uncover targets for immunotherapy in childhood cancers. A collaborative computational scientist will build bioinformatics pipelines to process enormous genomic and proteogenomic datasets, aiming to translate findings into new therapies. The work focuses on neuroblastoma, a challenging pediatric cancer, with the goal of identifying peptide targets presented by common HLA alleles to guide vaccine or cell-based approaches. The research is designed to move discoveries from data to potential immunotherapies that could improve survival and reduce long-term treatment-related harm for children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new immunotherapies that improve survival and quality of life for children with neuroblastoma and related cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified peptide targets in neuroblastoma and demonstrated feasibility of computationally guided immunotherapies, with promising early signals in related cancers.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Farrel, Alvin — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Farrel, Alvin
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.