Understanding and targeting the mechanisms that help neuroblastoma tumor cells survive and grow
Official title: Characterizing and Targeting the Epigenetic Mechanisms Maintaining Neuroblastoma Tumor Initiating Cells
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-10579019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some tough neuroblastoma cancer cells manage to survive treatment, with the goal of creating new therapies that can better target and eliminate these stubborn cells to help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $492,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA277659-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10579019 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, particularly those who have shown resistance to standard therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with neuroblastoma who are in remission or have low-risk forms of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on identifying and targeting the specific epigenetic mechanisms that allow certain neuroblastoma tumor cells to survive and resist treatment. By studying a unique subpopulation of tumor-initiating cells that are particularly resilient, the researchers aim to develop therapies that can effectively eliminate these cells and prevent cancer relapse. The approach involves analyzing gene expression patterns and the role of epigenetic modifiers in maintaining these resistant cells. Patients may benefit from new treatment strategies that specifically target these hard-to-treat cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for pediatric neuroblastoma, reducing the chances of relapse and improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting epigenetic mechanisms in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Agarwal, Saurabh — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Agarwal, Saurabh
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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.