New treatment approach for a type of brain tumor in children
Official title: Combination metabolic therapy for diffuse midline glioma
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10943578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a type of brain tumor in kids called diffuse midline gliomas, and it's trying to find ways to target a specific genetic change in these tumors to create better treatments that could help shrink the tumors and improve survival.
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 | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $670,904 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA292674-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10943578 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 H3K27M mutation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), aggressive brain tumors in children that have a poor prognosis. The study aims to identify specific vulnerabilities caused by a genetic mutation (H3K27M) in these tumors, which can lead to targeted therapies. By inhibiting certain metabolic pathways that the tumors rely on for growth, the researchers hope to induce tumor regression and improve survival rates. The approach includes using advanced imaging techniques to monitor treatment effects in real-time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for children with diffuse midline gliomas, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting metabolic pathways in cancer, suggesting that this approach could be effective for treating DMGs as well.
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
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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.