Making radiation safer and more powerful for children with diffuse midline glioma and high‑risk neuroblastoma
Radiation Oncology at the Interface of Pediatric Cancer Biology and Data Science
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · NIH-11178322
This project aims to improve radiation treatments for children with diffuse midline glioma and high‑risk neuroblastoma by using tumor biology and data science to guide therapy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | DANA-FARBER CANCER INST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11178322 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers at Dana‑Farber/Harvard and UCSF are teaming up to study how two radiation approaches—external beam radiation and radiopharmaceuticals—work against two aggressive childhood cancers (diffuse midline glioma and high‑risk neuroblastoma). They will collect tumor samples and clinical data before and after radiation from children treated with a standard radiation plan to see how tumors change. The team will use molecular tests and data‑science/AI tools to find patterns of radiation resistance linked to developmental differences in tumor cells. Findings will be used to design more selective radiation strategies and molecular characterization trials that could guide future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Children diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma or high‑risk neuroblastoma who are receiving radiotherapy at a participating center and can provide clinical samples and imaging would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with other cancer types, those not undergoing radiotherapy, or those unwilling or unable to provide tumor samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to radiation approaches that kill more tumor cells while causing fewer long‑term side effects for children with these aggressive cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior work combining genomics and AI with radiation has shown promise in personalizing treatment, but applying these methods to diffuse midline glioma and high‑risk neuroblastoma is relatively new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- DANA-FARBER CANCER INST — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HAAS-KOGAN, DAPHNE A. — DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- Study coordinator: HAAS-KOGAN, DAPHNE A.
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 below.