Role of SMARCD3/BAF60C in pediatric brain cancer
Official title: Role of SMARCD3/BAF60C in medulloblastoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11371210 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in children with medulloblastoma will look at how a protein called SMARCD3 helps tumor cells spread and grow.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $560,212 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS138348-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11371210 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric patients with medulloblastoma, particularly high-risk groups such as Group 3/4, may be eligible through related samples or data collaborations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-MB brain tumors or those not matching the study’s biological focus may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on medulloblastoma, a fast-growing brain tumor in kids, especially the high-risk subgroups that metastasize. Researchers will explore how SMARCD3/BAF60C, a component of chromatin-remodeling complexes, drives tumor spread and interacts with MYC and p53 pathways. They will use laboratory models and patient-derived data to understand the molecular signals that promote metastasis and tumor growth, with the goal of identifying new therapeutic targets. The study aims to map how SMARCD3 influences neurodevelopmental signaling and how this affects MB progression. Findings could lead to more precise treatments for children with aggressive, hard-to-treat MB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal new targets to prevent metastasis and improve survival for pediatric medulloblastoma patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked SMARCD3/BAF60C to tumor behavior, suggesting this approach could translate to new therapies, though the exact mechanism in MB is being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Baoli — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hu, Baoli
Related research
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Overcoming medulloblastoma resistance in kids using in vivo perturb-seq and preclinical therapies
A patient-focused study aiming to find new, less toxic ways to treat pediatric medulloblastoma by using advanced genetic screening to identify effective drug targets in preclinical models.
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Dysregulation of a key gene complex and its role in Group 4 medulloblastoma
A study explores how disruption of a core gene complex in brain development may drive Group 4 medulloblastoma and seeks to understand new ways to help affected children.
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.