Deciphering unusual protein drivers in high-risk medulloblastoma
Official title: Deciphering non-canonical translation in high risk medulloblastoma
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11393708 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A physician-scientist at the University of Michigan is studying non-canonical proteins that may drive a deadly form of pediatric brain cancer so future therapies can target them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $232,740 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA263552-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393708 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with Group 3 medulloblastoma or those with high-risk disease in translational therapeutics studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on ASNSD1 uORF–related mechanisms may not benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Group 3 medulloblastoma, a aggressive pediatric brain cancer, and explores non-traditional proteins produced from non-coding regions. The project will validate a specific non-canonical protein, ASNSD1 uORF, in advanced cell models and mouse models and will investigate how it interacts with the prefoldin complex to influence cancer growth. The work aims to lay the groundwork for targeted therapies that disrupt this abnormal protein and its cellular network. As an early-career investigator with protected research time, the PI intends to build independence while advancing understanding of medulloblastoma biology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify a novel drug target and lead to new treatment strategies for Group 3 medulloblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests non-canonical proteins can influence cancer biology, making this a promising yet exploratory avenue.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prensner, John — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Prensner, John
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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.