Understanding ATRX Mutations in Childhood Brain Tumors
Official title: The role of ATRX mutation in the epigenetic dysregulation of cell cycle in pediatric high-grade glioma
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11127747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to understand how a specific genetic change, called an ATRX mutation, affects the growth of aggressive brain tumors in children, hoping to discover new ways to treat them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $390,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS119231-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11127747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is focused on understanding the biology of pediatric high-grade glioma, particularly in patients whose tumors have ATRX mutations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose brain tumors do not have ATRX mutations or who have other types of cancer may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) is a very serious type of brain cancer in children, and current treatments are often not effective. About 30% of these tumors have a specific change in a gene called ATRX, often along with another change in the H3.3 gene. We want to learn exactly how these ATRX changes cause tumor cells to grow uncontrollably. By understanding this process, we hope to identify new, targeted therapies that could make existing treatments like radiation more effective for children with these specific brain tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, more effective targeted treatments for children with aggressive brain tumors that have ATRX mutations, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by these researchers has shown that ATRX-deficient brain tumor cells are more sensitive to radiation, suggesting a promising direction for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koschmann, Carl J — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Koschmann, Carl J
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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.