Targeted therapies for pediatric low-grade glioma
Official title: Project 1: Targeted therapeutics for pediatric low-grade glioma
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11417209 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric brain tumor project aims to find better, safer targeted treatments for kids with low-grade gliomas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2013 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $481,888 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA165962-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417209 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents with pediatric low-grade glioma or BRAF-altered tumors who may be considered for targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not involve BRAF alterations or are not suitable for targeted therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on understanding how BRAF-related brain tumors in children respond to targeted drugs and how to optimize therapy. Researchers will study how RAF inhibitors work in pLGG cells, identify why some kids respond better than others, and test combination approaches to improve efficacy and safety. The goal is to tailor treatments so that fewer children need harsh therapies and MRI monitoring is better guided. The work builds on prior trials that showed promise and seeks to move toward more precise, effective care for young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective, less toxic treatments for children with pLGG and clearer guidance on who needs targeted therapy versus standard care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous trials with RAF inhibitors showed promise, but responses vary, indicating a need for improved approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kann, Benjamin Harris — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kann, Benjamin Harris
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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OPTIMUM: Engaging LGG patients in understanding how low-grade brain tumors evolve
A large study plans to involve people with low-grade glioma to map how their tumors change from initial diagnosis to recurrence using patient-friendly data sharing and trial connections.
-
Understanding how diffuse low-grade gliomas disrupt cortical information processing
This study looks at how a common adult brain tumor changes brain circuits and thinking skills, with the aim of guiding better therapies for cognitive problems.
-
Targeting O-mannosylation in pediatric brain tumors driven by BRAF fusion
A pediatric brain tumor project is exploring whether blocking a specific sugar-modifying process called POMT-mediated O-mannosylation can stop tumor growth in tumors driven by KIAA1549-BRAF fusions.
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Druggable targets in pediatric low-grade glioma through multi-modal data and screening
A pediatric brain tumor study aims to find new drug targets by integrating imaging, genetics, and biology data to tailor treatments for children with low-grade gliomas.
-
Improving patient participation to track how lower-grade brain tumors change over time
This project works with adults who have lower-grade (WHO II/III) glioma to collect surgical tumor samples, medical records, and feedback so researchers can better understand how their tumors change from diagnosis to recurrence.
-
Targeted treatments for childhood low-grade brain tumors
Seeing if more precise RAF-targeting drugs and drug combinations can improve treatment for children with low-grade gliomas, especially tumors with BRAF changes.
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.