Investigating how citrate metabolism affects tumor and immune cells in brain tumors in children
Official title: Probing citrate metabolism in tumor and immune cells in diffuse midline gliomas
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11029444 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain changes in brain tumors called diffuse midline gliomas affect how the tumors grow and how the immune system responds, with the hope of finding new ways to help kids with this tough condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | December 3, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $686,979 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA296817-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029444 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with diffuse midline gliomas, particularly those with the H3K27M mutation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those without the specific genetic mutations associated with DMGs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), aggressive brain tumors in children with poor prognosis. It explores how mutations in histone H3 lead to changes in metabolism, particularly the role of citrate in tumor growth and immune response. By studying patient-derived models, the research aims to understand how citrate influences the immune environment and tumor proliferation. The goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for children with diffuse midline gliomas.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways in tumors, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights and advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Viswanath, Pavithra — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Viswanath, Pavithra
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.