Targeting mechanosignaling to improve treatments for pediatric brain cancer
Official title: Targeting mechanosignaling in pediatric brain cancer
Funded at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware · NIH-11032821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on finding better treatments for kids with brain cancer, especially medulloblastoma, by using special 3D models that closely resemble how tumors grow in the body, which helps researchers discover new medicines that could improve care for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | February 14, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $329,013 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263216-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with medulloblastoma or other types of pediatric brain cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain cancers that are not medulloblastoma or those who are not eligible for experimental therapies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing more effective therapies for pediatric brain cancer, particularly medulloblastoma, by targeting mechanosensitive signaling pathways. It utilizes advanced three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that better mimic the natural environment of tumors, allowing for more accurate drug testing. By creating a more realistic model of tumor behavior, the research aims to identify new anti-cancer agents that can improve treatment outcomes for young patients. The approach seeks to overcome limitations of traditional cell culture methods that do not adequately represent the tumor microenvironment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pediatric brain cancer, potentially reducing mortality and long-term side effects for survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using 3D cell cultures for drug discovery in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Langhans, Sigrid a — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
- Study coordinator: Langhans, Sigrid a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Social connections and quality of life for kids who survived brain cancer
This project follows pediatric brain cancer survivors as they grow into adults to understand how their social connections affect their happiness and mental well-being.
-
Brain cancer and brain-glia communication: how tumor cells and microglia talk to each other to drive gbm growth
A patient-facing look at how GBM tumors may manipulate brain immune cells to grow, and how understanding this communication could lead to new treatments.
-
Clarified imaging reports to reduce anxiety for adult survivors of pediatric brain cancer
Adult survivors of pediatric brain cancer may get anxious about scan results, and clearer imaging reports delivered through patient portals could help reduce worry and improve understanding.
-
MRI-guided brain tumor surgery robot to improve laser ablation
A new MRI-compatible robotic system helps precise, real-time laser treatment for brain tumors inside the MRI suite.
-
Brain cancer therapies to help kids and adults with glioblastoma and medulloblastoma
A large NIH grant supports translating promising brain cancer therapies from the lab into patient trials to help people with glioblastoma and medulloblastoma.
-
Brain cancer: Translational approaches to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients
A team at Northwestern is working on better ways to treat glioblastoma, the deadliest brain cancer, with a focus on translating discoveries into real therapies.
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.