How T cells affect low-grade brain tumors in children with NF1
Official title: T Cell Regulation of Low-Grade Glioma
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11145187 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how immune T cells and brain immune cells drive low-grade gliomas in children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 so safer, less toxic treatments might be found.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 9, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $950,428 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA261939-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145187 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be children (and families) affected by NF1-associated optic pathway low-grade gliomas or patients willing to contribute tumor tissue or blood samples to research.
✕Less likely to help
People with high-grade gliomas or non-NF1 brain tumors are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific project.
What this research studies
This research focuses on low-grade gliomas that occur in children, especially those linked to Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) that can threaten vision. Scientists use mouse models that mimic NF1 optic pathway gliomas and study how neurons, T cells, and microglia interact to start and sustain tumors. They will compare the mouse results to human tumor tissue and blood immune cells to make sure findings apply to patients. The team aims to pinpoint immune signals that could be blocked or changed to slow tumor growth while avoiding long-term treatment harm.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to immune-based therapies that preserve vision and reduce the long-term side effects of current treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous laboratory studies, including work by this team in mice, showed that T cells and microglia help NF1-LGGs grow, but translating immune-targeted approaches for these tumors is still at an early, experimental stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutmann, David H — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Gutmann, David H
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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.