Understanding and Fighting Neuroblastoma to Help Kids
Official title: Discovering mechanisms of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis to improve patient outcomes
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11384828 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to uncover how neuroblastoma starts and grows so new, gentler therapies can help children survive with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,066,679 |
| NIH project number | 5R35CA220500-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384828 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents diagnosed with neuroblastoma, especially high-risk cases, who may benefit from new therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer does not share the same biology or cannot be targeted by the proposed approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, to understand the biological roots of tumor formation and progression. Researchers will study how normal nerve development goes wrong in cancer and use those insights to design targeted, patient-specific treatments. The work blends basic science with plans to translate discoveries into therapies that are more effective and less toxic for kids with high-risk disease. The seven-year program is collaborative and aims to improve survival while reducing treatment-related harm for young patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to smarter, less toxic treatments that improve survival for children with neuroblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in neuroblastoma has identified key mechanisms, and this program aims to build on that foundation with translational goals.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Maris, John M — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Maris, John M
Related research
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A study in children with neuroblastoma looks at a new vulnerability called ferroptosis that could be exploited to more effectively treat tumors with the MYCN gene amplification.
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.