Targeting a specific metabolic pathway in pediatric brain tumors
Official title: Targeting Hexosamine Synthesis in Pediatric Brain Tumors
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11132342 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a type of brain tumor in kids called diffuse midline gliomas and how they use a special way to grow, with the hope of finding better treatments that can help fight the tumor while keeping healthy cells safe, and kids with this condition might have a chance to join in on testing these new treatment ideas.
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 | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $443,354 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS138440-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132342 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation would include children diagnosed with diffuse midline gliomas, particularly those with the H3K27a mutation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those without the specific genetic mutation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on pediatric brain tumors, particularly diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) that have a specific mutation affecting their growth and survival. The study aims to understand how these tumors utilize a unique metabolic pathway to sustain their growth and how targeting this pathway can potentially improve treatment outcomes. By investigating the role of the Hexosamine biosynthetic pathway and its interaction with glycolysis inhibitors, the research seeks to develop more effective therapies that specifically target tumor cells while sparing normal cells. Patients may have the opportunity to participate in trials that explore these innovative treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pediatric brain tumors, improving survival rates and quality of life for affected children.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting metabolic pathways in cancer is a growing area of research, this specific approach to pediatric brain tumors is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agnihotri, Sameer — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Agnihotri, Sameer
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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ONC206 for children with brain tumors: a first-in-children trial
A first-in-children trial will test the safety and early signs of effectiveness of ONC206, taken by mouth, in kids with malignant brain tumors like diffuse midline gliomas.
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ONC206 for children with malignant brain tumors
A first-in-children trial tests the safety and early effectiveness of a pill that can cross the brain barrier to treat pediatric brain tumors.
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ONC206 for children with dangerous brain tumors
A first-in-children study tests the safety and early effectiveness of an oral drug, ONC206, for kids with high-risk brain tumors that have spread or recurred.
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Oral bacteria and brain metastasis: how the mouth may influence brain tumors
A study exploring how oral microbes may affect brain metastases and patient outcomes, with potential to guide new microbiome-based approaches.
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Bioengineered brain barrier chip to improve drug screening for brain tumors
A small, patient-friendly brain barrier chip is being developed to test drugs for glioblastoma more accurately before they reach clinical trials.
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Understanding how epigenetic changes drive pediatric brain tumor recurrence and how reversing them could help
A pediatric brain cancer research project is exploring how an epigenetic change (H3K27M) and tumor environment contribute to tumor coming back, using a reversible mouse model to study potential ways to prevent recurrence.
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.