Targeted treatment for a rare childhood brain tumor using a specialized drug
Official title: An IGF-1R-targeting peptide drug conjugate for targeted treatment of atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors
Funded at Nighthawk Biosciences, INC. · NIH-10760549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to treat aggressive brain tumors in young children by using special drugs that can target the tumor cells directly, aiming to help kids live longer and feel better during treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nighthawk Biosciences, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morrisville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $399,110 |
| NIH project number | 1R41CA285172-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10760549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young children diagnosed with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not diagnosed with AT/RT may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment for atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT), which are aggressive brain tumors found in young children. The approach involves creating peptide-drug conjugates that specifically target tumor cells by using a peptide that binds to a receptor commonly found on these cancer cells. By linking this peptide to powerful chemotherapy drugs, the treatment aims to deliver the medication directly to the tumor while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. The goal is to improve survival rates and reduce the side effects associated with current treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more effective and less toxic treatment option for children with AT/RT.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of peptide-drug conjugates is a promising approach, this specific application for AT/RT is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Nighthawk Biosciences, INC.
Morrisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein, Neil — Nighthawk Biosciences, INC.
- Study coordinator: Goldstein, Neil
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.