Exploring how circular DNA affects treatment resistance in childhood brain tumors.
Official title: Investigation of ecDNA as a driver of intratumoral heterogeneity and treatment resistance in high-risk medulloblastoma
Funded at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · NIH-10913331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of DNA found in tumors might affect how medulloblastoma, a common brain cancer in kids, behaves and responds to treatment, with the hope of finding better ways to help young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $617,669 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS132780-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with high-risk medulloblastoma, particularly those under 11 years old.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant brain conditions or those diagnosed with low-risk medulloblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of circular extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) in causing variations within tumors and resistance to treatment in medulloblastoma, a common malignant brain tumor in children. By analyzing genetic data from a large group of medulloblastoma patients, the researchers aim to understand how ecDNA contributes to differences in tumor behavior and treatment outcomes. The study employs advanced computational techniques to detect and analyze ecDNA, which may lead to new insights into why some tumors respond poorly to existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for children with high-risk medulloblastoma, potentially enhancing survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of ecDNA in medulloblastoma is relatively novel, similar approaches in other cancers have shown promising results in understanding treatment resistance.
Where this research is happening
-
Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chavez, Lukas — Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute
- Study coordinator: Chavez, Lukas
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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.