Thyroid hormone helps stop the growth of a common brain tumor in children.
Official title: Thyroid Hormone Inhibits Medulloblastoma Growth by Inducing Tumor Cell Differentiation
Funded at Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr · NIH-11050498 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how thyroid hormone might help turn medulloblastoma cells, a common type of brain tumor in kids, into less harmful cells, which could lead to gentler treatments with fewer side effects for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $559,587 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA290043-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050498 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with medulloblastoma who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who have already received extensive treatment for medulloblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how thyroid hormone (TH) can promote the differentiation of medulloblastoma (MB) cells, which are the most common malignant brain tumors in children. By encouraging these tumor cells to mature, the research aims to reduce their ability to grow and spread. The study will explore the mechanisms by which TH influences MB cell behavior and assess whether this approach can be used as a new treatment strategy. If successful, this could lead to less aggressive therapies and fewer long-term side effects for young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel treatment option that reduces tumor growth and minimizes the side effects associated with current aggressive therapies.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of thyroid hormone in treating brain tumors is a novel approach, preliminary studies suggest promising results in promoting tumor cell differentiation.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Zeng-Jie — Research Inst of Fox Chase Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Yang, Zeng-Jie
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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.