How brain support cells (glia) may cause medulloblastoma to come back
Official title: Glial Origin and Signaling in Medulloblastoma
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11238534 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are looking at whether a type of brain support cell called glial progenitors helps medulloblastoma return after treatment in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $604,852 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS140460-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11238534 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with sonic hedgehog (SHH)–subtype medulloblastoma, especially those undergoing surgery or with recurrent disease who can donate tumor tissue, would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with unrelated neurological conditions, other medulloblastoma subtypes not driven by the same pathway, or those unable to provide tumor samples are unlikely to benefit directly in the near term.
What this research studies
This project uses detailed single-cell analysis of tumor samples and laboratory models to find the specific cells that seed medulloblastoma regrowth. The team focuses on OLIG2-expressing glial progenitors that increase after chemotherapy in animal models and human recurrent tumors. They will study the signaling pathways these cells use to survive and repopulate tumors, and test targets in preclinical models. The goal is to identify strategies that could stop relapse while sparing healthy brain tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that prevent medulloblastoma relapse and improve survival with fewer long-term side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Laboratory and animal studies have previously shown OLIG2-positive cells can drive tumor growth, but targeting these glial progenitors in patients is still largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qing Richard — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qing Richard
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Glial origins and signaling in childhood brain cancer (medulloblastoma)
A new study looks at how glial cells may drive relapse and growth in childhood medulloblastoma, with the goal of finding targeted treatments.
-
Next generation GPC2 CARs to treat pediatric medulloblastoma
A new CAR T-cell therapy approach targets a protein common on child brain tumor cells to improve outcomes for kids with medulloblastoma.
-
Targeting medulloblastoma with multispecific T-cell engagers
A pediatric brain cancer treatment study tests a new multi-targeted T-cell engager designed to reach brain tumors and help the immune system kill cancer cells.
-
Efflux-aware brain barrier model to guide pediatric medulloblastoma drug discovery
A study using a pediatric brain cancer model to test how radiation-activated digoxin-like compounds could safely reach brain tumors in children.
-
Overcoming medulloblastoma resistance in kids using in vivo perturb-seq and preclinical therapies
A patient-focused study aiming to find new, less toxic ways to treat pediatric medulloblastoma by using advanced genetic screening to identify effective drug targets in preclinical models.
-
Dysregulation of a key gene complex and its role in Group 4 medulloblastoma
A study explores how disruption of a core gene complex in brain development may drive Group 4 medulloblastoma and seeks to understand new ways to help affected children.
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.