NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Diffuse Midline Glioma: Understanding Why Pediatric Brain Tumors Relapse After Radiation

Official title: Research Project 1: Diffuse Midline Glioma

Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11415783 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A researcher team is studying why certain pediatric brain tumors called diffuse midline gliomas resist and come back after radiotherapy, to help develop better treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startSeptember 19, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$261,411
NIH project number5U54CA274516-04
Project IDNIH-11415783 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Pediatric patients with diffuse midline glioma who are undergoing or have undergone radiotherapy and from whom paired tumor samples can be obtained.

Less likely to help

Patients without DMG or without access to paired pre- and post-radiation samples may not directly benefit.

What this research studies

This project looks at how the tumor environment and cellular diversity inside DMG tumors might cause radiation resistance. By using advanced single-cell analysis and DNA repair pathway studies on pre- and post-radiation samples, the team aims to map why some tumor cells survive. The work focuses on pediatric patients and uses data from tumor samples to connect biology with treatment outcomes. The goal is to identify new targets to improve radiotherapy effectiveness for DMG.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective radiation approaches or combination therapies for children with DMG.

How similar studies have gone: Previous single-cell studies have shown heterogeneity in DMG, supporting the relevance of this approach, though direct translation to improved therapy is still emerging.

Where this research is happening

  • Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Haas-Kogan, Daphne a. — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
  • Study coordinator: Haas-Kogan, Daphne a.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.