Neuroblastoma and radiopharmaceuticals: understanding how targeted radiation affects kids’ tumors
Official title: Research Project 2: Neuroblastoma
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11415786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric cancer grant studies how a targeted radiotherapy called 131I-MIBG affects tumor and surrounding cells in children with high-risk neuroblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $266,084 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274516-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with 131I-MIBG who have available tumor samples and blood for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing 131I-MIBG therapy or lacking available tumor/blood samples may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will examine how targeted radiotherapy influences tumor cells and the tumor environment in kids. Researchers will analyze pre-treatment tumor samples, single-cell and bulk gene activity, and DNA repair profiles to understand intrinsic and surrounding factors that shape response. They will also track changes during treatment, including tumor tissue obtained after therapy and circulating tumor DNA in blood, to map how the cancer evolves. Additionally, the study will look at long-term late effects of this therapy by using large national datasets. The work aims to translate findings into better prediction of who benefits and how to optimize treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more effective, personalized radiopharmaceutical therapy with better outcomes and fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows promise for using radiopharmaceuticals in pediatric cancers, but comprehensive mechanistic insights and longitudinal data are still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chowdhury, Dipanjan — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Chowdhury, Dipanjan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Computational and functional screens to find actionable neuroblastoma drivers
Researchers are using advanced computer analysis and lab tests to find new genes and drug targets in neuroblastoma, aiming to improve outcomes for children.
-
Understanding ATRX in neuroblastoma: new protein functions and treatment clues
A short, patient-friendly look at a study exploring how altered ATRX proteins in neuroblastoma might influence disease behavior and response to therapy.
-
Bispecific antibodies to help kids fight neuroblastoma and brain tumors
A pediatric-focused grant tests new bispecific antibodies that help the immune system attack childhood cancers like neuroblastoma and brain tumors.
-
ADEPT-STAR therapy for high risk neuroblastoma
A new cell-based therapy approach aims to help children with high-risk neuroblastoma by using off-the-shelf, donor-derived treatments.
-
MYCN and ferroptosis: a new vulnerability in pediatric neuroblastoma
A study in children with neuroblastoma looks at a new vulnerability called ferroptosis that could be exploited to more effectively treat tumors with the MYCN gene amplification.
-
Rewired metabolism and immunosuppression in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma
A researcher team will study how the MYCN gene changes metabolism and immune responses in high-risk neuroblastoma to find strategies that could help the disease respond to future therapies.
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.