Targeting KAT6A/B to boost GD2 immunotherapy against neuroblastoma
Official title: Targeting KAT6A/B activity to induce responsiveness to anti-GD2 immunotherapy in neuroblastoma
Funded at Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11370738 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team plans to test whether blocking KAT6A/B makes neuroblastoma cells more responsive to GD2-targeted immunotherapy, potentially helping children with this cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $219,852 |
| NIH project number | 1K08CA304367-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370738 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pediatric neuroblastoma patients whose disease expresses GD2 and may benefit from combined epigenetic modulation and immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not respond to retinoic acid or lack GD2 expression may derive little or no benefit.
What this research studies
Neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer with high relapse and limited cures despite current treatments. The project examines how two epigenetic enzymes, KAT6A and KAT6B, influence cancer cell states and resistance to retinoic acid therapy. By combining a KAT6A/B inhibitor with retinoic acid, researchers aim to achieve durable growth arrest and increased GD2 expression to improve immunotherapy effectiveness. The work includes experiments in the lab and animal models to understand mechanisms and inform future clinical trials. This K08 grant supports a focused translational plan toward therapies that could benefit kids with neuroblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could enhance the effectiveness of GD2 immunotherapy and reduce relapse in neuroblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows combining epigenetic modifiers with retinoic acid can alter tumor behavior; this study extends those findings to pediatric neuroblastoma.
Where this research is happening
-
Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weichert-Leahey, Nina — Dana-Farber Cancer Inst
- Study coordinator: Weichert-Leahey, Nina
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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.