FOXR2 and ETS factors in a pediatric brain cancer: how they drive deadly DMGs
Official title: Dissecting the cooperation of FOXR2 and ETS transcription factors in FOXR2-expressing diffuse midline gliomas
Funded at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles · NIH-11355618 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in kids with diffuse midline gliomas looks at how a FOXR2 gene and ETS transcription factors work together to fuel tumor growth, with the goal of finding new ways to stop it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hospital of Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $262,863 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA279908-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355618 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with FOXR2-expressing diffuse midline gliomas or related DMG subtypes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without FOXR2-expressing DMG or those not eligible for future targeted therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how FOXR2, a gene abnormally active in some diffuse midline gliomas, cooperates with ETS transcription factors to promote tumor formation. Researchers will test whether ETS factors are needed for FOXR2-driven cancer and whether MAPK signaling drives the cancer’s aggressiveness. The work will use lab models relevant to human DMG biology, including analyses of gene activity and signaling pathways. By pinpointing key interactions, the study aims to identify targets for future therapies that could benefit children with this challenging cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could reveal new molecular targets to develop therapies for FOXR2-expressing DMG patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked FOXR2 and ETS signaling to tumor growth in this context, suggesting potential for meaningful advances but still early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsai, Jessica Whei — Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Tsai, Jessica Whei
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.