Finding weaknesses in G34‑mutant high‑grade brain tumors
Official title: Developmental Programs as Vulnerabilities in H3.3G34-Mutant High-Grade Glioma
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11192254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how specific genetic changes in G34‑mutant high‑grade brain tumors that affect adolescents and young adults create weaknesses that could point to new treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $352,345 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131659-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents and young adults diagnosed with high‑grade glioma harboring the H3.3 G34R/V mutation, often alongside ATRX and TP53 alterations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without the specific G34 mutation or those needing immediate clinical therapy may not directly benefit from this preclinical research.
What this research studies
Researchers will use human embryonic stem cell models to recreate the exact combination of mutations (H3.3G34R/V, ATRX, and TP53) seen in this tumor subtype. They will introduce these changes into defined developing brain cell types to see which cells become cancerous and why. The team will study how the mutations change gene activity, including increased activity of a forebrain transcription factor called DMRTA2, which appears to help tumors grow. The goal is to identify molecular vulnerabilities that can be targeted by future drugs or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal targets for therapies tailored to G34‑mutant high‑grade gliomas and eventually improve outcomes for affected adolescents and young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies have begun to define these tumor subtypes and their biology, but targeted treatments for H3.3 G34‑mutant tumors remain largely untested in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Funato, Kosuke — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Funato, Kosuke
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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.