Developing targeted therapies for children with RAS-driven rhabdomyosarcoma
Official title: Improving Therapeutic Approaches for RAS-driven Rhabdomyosarcoma
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11013863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to find better and safer treatments for kids with a tough type of cancer called high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma, especially those with certain gene changes, by exploring new drug combinations that could help them fight the disease more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $356,579 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA262657-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma, particularly those with RAS mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with rhabdomyosarcoma who do not have RAS mutations or who are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment options for children diagnosed with high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), particularly those with RAS mutations. The project aims to create less harmful, targeted therapies that can effectively combat this aggressive cancer, which has shown poor survival rates despite current treatments. By investigating the mechanisms of resistance to existing therapies, the researchers hope to develop new combinations of drugs that can lead to better outcomes for young patients. The approach includes innovative testing methods to evaluate the effectiveness of these new treatments in preclinical models.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic treatment options for children suffering from RAS-driven rhabdomyosarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting the MAPK pathway for similar cancers, indicating that this approach may lead to significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vaseva, Angelina V — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Vaseva, Angelina V
Related research
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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.