Rewired metabolism and immunosuppression in MYCN-driven neuroblastoma
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11398164 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,268,981 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA283369-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398164 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, especially those with MYCN amplification, could benefit from future therapies informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage or non-MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma patients may not directly benefit from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks at why high-risk neuroblastoma tumors with MYCN amplification evade the immune system and grow despite treatment. Researchers will use mouse models and advanced profiling of genes, metabolites, and immune cells to map how cysteine metabolism shapes the tumor environment and T-cell function. The goal is to identify metabolic weaknesses that can be targeted to improve immunotherapy and overall survival for affected children. The work may lay the groundwork for new combination therapies that help the immune system recognize and attack neuroblastoma. Results could guide future trials that translate these findings into patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new treatment strategies that enhance immune responses and improve survival for children with MYCN-driven neuroblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show metabolic vulnerabilities can influence immune responses and therapy outcomes in cancer, supporting a potential path forward for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barbieri, Eveline — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Barbieri, Eveline
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How MYCN changes tumor metabolism and weakens immune responses in neuroblastoma
This work tests whether fixing a tumor nutrient shortfall (cysteine) can help immune cells better attack MYCN-driven neuroblastoma in children.
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Understanding how MYCN-driven neuroblastoma affects metabolism and immune response
This study is looking at how a specific gene called MYCN affects high-risk neuroblastoma and how it changes the way the body processes certain nutrients, which can make it harder for the immune system to fight the cancer; by using mouse models, the researchers hope to find ways to boost the immune response by adjusting
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Computational and functional screens to find actionable neuroblastoma drivers
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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.