Creating human brain models to study aggressive brain tumors in children
Official title: Human Organoid Models for Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10727450 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating mini brain models from children's cells to learn more about aggressive brain tumors called pediatric high-grade gliomas, so we can find better treatments that actually help kids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $430,375 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS133633-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10727450 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with pediatric high-grade gliomas, particularly those with specific genetic mutations in their tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with low-grade gliomas or other types of brain tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing human organoid models to better understand pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs), which are aggressive brain tumors in children. By using patient-derived stem cells and human brain organoids, the team aims to replicate the tumor environment and study how these tumors interact with brain cells. The goal is to identify why existing treatments, like targeted therapies, are not effective in children and to explore new therapeutic strategies that could improve outcomes. This approach leverages advanced cell culture techniques to mimic the human brain's developmental and metabolic characteristics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pediatric high-grade gliomas, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for affected children.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on gliomas, the use of human organoid models for pediatric high-grade gliomas is a relatively novel approach that has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Read, Renee D — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Read, Renee D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
MT-125: a brain-penetrant treatment to slow glioblastoma spread and growth
A new drug, MT-125, taken by people with recurrent glioblastoma, targets two motor proteins to slow cancer spread and growth inside the brain.
-
How immune myeloid cells affect aggressive childhood brain tumors
Researchers are looking at whether immune cells called macrophages and neutrophils inside and around aggressive childhood brain tumors are linked to tumor behavior and survival in children with high-grade gliomas.
-
MT-125 treatment for recurrent high-grade brain tumors
Adults with recurrent high-grade gliomas will receive the brain-penetrant drug MT-125 to find safe doses and check whether it can slow tumor invasion and growth.
-
Investigating the role of immune cells in childhood brain tumors
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the brain, called macrophages and neutrophils, affect a type of brain cancer in kids, and it hopes to find new ways to help treat these young patients better.
-
Understanding how a specific histone mutation affects brain tumor development in children
This study is looking at how a specific change in a gene related to brain development might lead to brain tumors in kids, with the hope that understanding this could help find better treatments for these tough-to-treat tumors.
-
Developing mRNA therapies for a deadly pediatric brain tumor
This study is exploring a new way to treat a tough brain tumor called diffuse midline glioma in kids by using special particles to deliver gene therapy directly to the tumor, aiming to improve how we fight this disease.
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.