New treatments using bispecific antibodies for childhood brain tumors
Official title: Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics for Neuroblastoma and Diffuse Midline Glioma
Funded at Seattle Children's Hospital · NIH-10892246 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new treatment that helps the body's immune cells better fight solid tumors and brain tumors in kids, like neuroblastoma and diffuse midline glioma, by making it easier for these immune cells to reach and attack the cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $817,202 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA281848-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10892246 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients under 11 years old diagnosed with solid tumors or brain tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with tumors that are not solid or brain tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing bispecific T cell engagers (BTEs) to improve immunotherapy for pediatric patients with solid tumors and brain tumors, such as neuroblastoma and diffuse midline glioma. The approach aims to enhance T cell infiltration into tumors and overcome barriers like the blood-brain barrier, which often prevents effective treatment. By connecting cancer cells to the body's own T cells, this therapy seeks to stimulate a stronger immune response against the tumors. The research includes innovative strategies to promote T cell movement into tumors and to understand how these therapies can be effective even when traditional methods fail.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for children with difficult-to-treat brain tumors, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise with bispecific antibodies in treating other cancers, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Olson, James M — Seattle Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Olson, James M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Bispecific antibody treatment for neuroblastoma and diffuse midline glioma in children
A new antibody that connects a child's T cells directly to tumor cells to help treat neuroblastoma and diffuse midline glioma.
-
Next‑gen oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma targeting AKT and ERK
A new cancer therapy using an engineered oncolytic virus to fight glioblastoma by blocking AKT/ERK signals and boosting the body’s immune response, with potential to reduce seizures and improve quality of life.
-
Bone marrow immune cells and glioma progression in teens and young adults
A study in adolescents and young adults with brain tumors looks at how immune cells from bone marrow may influence the progression from low-grade to high-grade gliomas.
-
How RNA Splicing Might Shape Glioma Cell States and Therapy Response
A small NIH-funded project will study how alternative RNA splicing influences glioma cell identities and treatment resistance in patient-derived cells.
-
Liquid biopsy for monitoring high-grade glioma using patient-specific DNA junctions
A Mayo Clinic team tests a blood test that looks for unique tumor DNA pieces in glioblastoma patients to monitor disease without frequent scans.
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.