Targeting calcium signaling to treat relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma
Official title: Manipulating Aberrant Calcium Signaling to Target Relapsed High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Funded at Western New England University · NIH-10795286 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new ways to treat relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma in kids by using a special drug that targets how cancer cells handle calcium, hoping to help those whose cancer hasn't responded to other treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western New England University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Springfield, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $423,743 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA277188-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10795286 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma who have not responded to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage neuroblastoma or those who have not experienced a relapse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new treatments for relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma, a challenging pediatric cancer that often resists existing therapies. The approach involves manipulating calcium signaling pathways that are uniquely altered in relapsed neuroblastoma cells. By using a combination of a novel drug and an autophagy inhibitor, the research aims to induce cell death in cancer cells that have become resistant to previous treatments. Patients may benefit from this innovative strategy that targets the specific mechanisms driving their cancer's progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new effective treatment option for children with relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting calcium signaling pathways in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
Western New England University
Springfield, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koomoa, Dana-Lynn Takeko — Western New England University
- Study coordinator: Koomoa, Dana-Lynn Takeko
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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.