Understanding how a specific gene fusion causes aggressive brain tumors in children and finding new treatment targets.
Official title: Discovering the mechanisms underlying oncogenesis by ZFTA-RELA and pinpointing therapeutic targets.
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10987405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a tough type of brain tumor in kids called ependymoma, focusing on a specific gene fusion that helps the tumor grow, with the hope of finding new ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $601,250 |
| NIH project number | 1U01CA294103-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10987405 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with ependymoma, particularly those with ZFTA-RELA gene fusions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with ependymoma who do not have the ZFTA-RELA fusion or those with other types of brain tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on ependymoma, a challenging pediatric brain tumor that is resistant to chemotherapy. The team is investigating the ZFTA-RELA gene fusion, which is commonly found in these tumors, to understand how it drives cancer growth. By using mouse models, they aim to uncover the mechanisms behind oncogenic gene expression and identify potential therapeutic targets. The study also explores the role of specific protein regions in tumor formation, which could lead to new treatment strategies for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of targeted therapies for children with ependymoma, improving treatment options and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting gene fusions in other cancers, suggesting that this approach could be effective for ependymoma as well.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mack, Stephen C — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Mack, Stephen C
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.