Helping medulloblastoma tumor cells turn into mature, non-cancerous brain cells
Official title: Inducing Neural Maturation in Medulloblastoma by Targeting EZH2
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11164621 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether blocking a protein called EZH2 can make medulloblastoma cells in children become less harmful, brain-like tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $686,834 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS122987-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164621 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with medulloblastoma, especially those with tumors that are undifferentiated or recurrent, would be the most relevant candidates for involvement or sample donation.
✕Less likely to help
People with other types of brain tumors or medulloblastoma subtypes not driven by EZH2/PRC2 biology, or those needing immediate life-saving surgery, are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers aim to coax aggressive medulloblastoma cells to stop dividing and adopt mature, neuron-like characteristics by targeting an epigenetic protein called EZH2. They compare molecular and RNA patterns from mature and primitive areas of human tumors and use laboratory tumor models and animal studies to test drugs or genetic methods that inhibit EZH2. The team will measure whether treated tumors show reduced growth and increased signs of normal brain cell maturation. If human tumor tissue is used, patients may be asked to contribute surgical samples to help the research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce the need for toxic radiation and create gentler, more effective treatments that preserve thinking and development in children with medulloblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Drugs that block EZH2 have shown activity in other cancers and lab-based differentiation strategies have worked in some models, but forcing medulloblastoma maturation via EZH2 is a relatively new, mainly preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Snuderl, Matija — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Snuderl, Matija
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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.