Understanding how ancestry affects Ewing sarcoma through stem cell models
Official title: Deconvoluting the Ewing sarcoma genetic program using ancestry-informed human iPSC modeling
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11054605 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how genetics and ancestry might affect Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancer, by using special cells from people of different backgrounds to see how a specific protein influences the disease, which could help us find better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | April 7, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $425,698 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA276345-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054605 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, particularly those of African, European, or Asian ancestry.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with Ewing sarcoma who do not have a genetic background that is being studied or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the genetic factors influencing Ewing sarcoma, particularly how ancestry affects the disease's development and progression. By using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals of diverse ancestries, the study aims to understand how the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein alters gene expression and contributes to the cancer's characteristics. The approach involves analyzing genetic data and the effects of EWS-FLI1 on cellular behavior, which could lead to insights into why certain populations are more affected by this cancer. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of their disease and potential new treatment strategies based on genetic ancestry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized treatment options for Ewing sarcoma based on genetic ancestry.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically targeting the genetic ancestry of Ewing sarcoma, similar approaches using iPSC models have shown promise in understanding other cancers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Webber, Beau Richard — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Webber, Beau Richard
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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.