NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding and treating a specific type of brain tumor caused by a gene fusion

Official title: Biology and therapy of C11orf95-RELA fusion-driven ependymoma

Funded at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center · NIH-10646671 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at a specific kind of brain tumor called ependymoma, which is linked to a gene fusion, and aims to understand how this tumor grows and find new treatments that could help people with this condition.

More Ependymoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFred Hutchinson Cancer Center
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startSeptember 19, 2019
Project endAugust 31, 2025
Funding year2022
Award (this year)$125,104
NIH project number3U54CA243125-02S1
Project IDNIH-10646671 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with supratentorial ependymoma that express the C11orf95-RELA fusion.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of brain tumors or those without the C11orf95-RELA fusion may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on a type of brain tumor known as ependymoma, specifically those driven by a gene fusion called C11orf95-RELA. The team aims to explore the biology of this fusion protein and identify the critical pathways involved in tumor growth. They will utilize innovative mouse models and human neuro stem cell systems to analyze the tumor environment and potential treatment options. The research includes identifying small molecules that may effectively target this type of tumor and testing them in preclinical models.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new targeted therapies for patients with C11orf95-RELA fusion-driven ependymoma.

How similar studies have gone: Similar research approaches have shown promise in targeting specific genetic alterations in tumors, suggesting potential for success in this area as well.

Where this research is happening

  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Holland, Eric C. — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
  • Study coordinator: Holland, Eric C.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Condensates and ZFTA-driven Ependymoma in kids

    A pediatric brain tumor grant explores how ZFTA fusion proteins drive cancer by forming condensates, with the aim of finding new ways to target these tumors.

    NIH research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Memphis, United States · NIH-11392538

  • ZFTA-RELA Ependymoma: uncovering what drives this pediatric brain cancer

    A study at St. Jude aims to understand how the ZFTA-RELA gene fusion pushes pediatric brain tumors to grow, with the goal of finding points to intervene and slow or stop cancer progression.

    NIH research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Memphis, United States · NIH-11377521

  • Targeting EZHIP and PRC2 interaction in a pediatric brain cancer

    A cancer research grant trying to understand how a protein called EZHIP disrupts a key epigenetic regulator in a rare pediatric brain tumor to guide better treatments.

    NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-11343020

  • PEP-CMV vaccine with nivolumab for pediatric and adult high-grade brain tumors

    A phase 1/2 trial tests a CMV-targeted vaccine plus a PD-1 blocker for newly diagnosed and recurrent high-grade brain tumors in children and adults.

    NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11312693

  • Understanding ZFTA-RELA Brain Cancer in Children

    This project aims to understand how a specific genetic change drives an aggressive type of children's brain cancer called ependymoma, hoping to find new ways to treat it.

    NIH research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · Memphis, United States · NIH-11141793

  • Investigating how EZHIP interacts with PRC2 in a specific brain tumor in young children

    This study is looking at how a protein called EZHIP interacts with a group of proteins that help control the growth of a specific type of brain tumor in young children, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this challenging condition.

    NIH research Ut Southwestern Medical Center · Dallas, United States · NIH-11067759

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.