DHART program coordination for NF1-linked cancers

Administrative Core

NIH-funded research Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11181005

This program organizes research to speed development of targeted treatments for children, teens, and young adults with tumors caused by NF1 gene changes.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11181005 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient point of view, this program brings together researchers and clinics to focus on cancers driven by NF1 mutations and overactive Ras signaling. It combines laboratory work and clinical trials across multiple tumor types that share the same driver mutation so discoveries in one cancer can help others. The Administrative Core runs the overall planning, communications, finances, and collaboration so the research projects and clinical activities stay coordinated. That coordination helps ensure patients can access trials and that lab findings move toward treatments more quickly.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients (including children, adolescents, and young adults) whose tumors show NF1 mutations or hyperactive Ras signaling and who can enroll at a participating center.

Not a fit: Patients whose cancers are not driven by NF1-related mutations or who cannot travel to participating research sites are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could speed delivery of targeted molecular therapies that improve outcomes for people with NF1-driven tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Related targeted approaches such as MEK inhibitors have shown clear benefits for some NF1-associated tumors (for example plexiform neurofibromas), but expanding effective targeted treatments across diverse NF1-driven cancers is still an active area of work.

Where this research is happening

Indianapolis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cancer CenterCancer PatientCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.