Targeting MYC-driven osteosarcoma
Official title: Modeling and targeting intrinsic and extrinsic features of Myc-driven Osteosarcoma
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11289348 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will look for weak spots in osteosarcoma tumors that have extra copies of the MYC gene to guide better treatments for children and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $424,298 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288967-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11289348 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pediatric or adolescent osteosarcoma patients whose tumors show amplification of chromosome 8q24/c-MYC.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not have MYC amplification, who have other cancer types, or who need immediate standard-of-care treatment may not benefit directly from this preclinical-focused research.
What this research studies
This project focuses on osteosarcoma tumors with amplification of the MYC gene, a change found in about 30% of patients and linked to higher relapse risk. The team will combine patient tumor data, lab models, animal studies, and computer analyses to map differences inside tumor cells and in the tumor environment. They will study how those tumor-intrinsic features change immune and other support cells around the tumor and test drug strategies that exploit those weaknesses in preclinical models. The work is intended to point toward therapies tailored for MYC-amplified osteosarcoma that could move into trials later.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify targeted treatment strategies or drug combinations that improve outcomes for patients with MYC-amplified osteosarcoma.
How similar studies have gone: Directly blocking MYC protein has been difficult, but related studies targeting MYC-driven pathways or the tumor microenvironment have shown promising preclinical results, making this a plausible but largely preclinical approach.
Where this research is happening
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Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yustein, Jason — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Yustein, Jason
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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.