Understanding how KMT2D gene changes drive childhood brain cancer (medulloblastoma)
Official title: Heterozygous KMT2D Loss and Medulloblastoma
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11364198 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how changes in a gene called KMT2D contribute to medulloblastoma, a common pediatric brain tumor, with the goal of finding better ways to treat it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $440,392 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA262324-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364198 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children diagnosed with medulloblastoma or those whose tumors show alterations in epigenetic pathways may be relevant for future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with brain tumors not driven by epigenetic changes or outside the study’s scope may not benefit.
What this research studies
Medulloblastoma is a deadly pediatric brain cancer and current treatments can cause serious long-term side effects. The project focuses on how epigenetic changes, especially involving the KMT2D gene, influence tumor development and progression. By studying the role of KMT2D and related epigenetic modifiers in MB, researchers aim to identify mechanism-based targets for therapy. The work combines molecular analyses and disease-focused biology to uncover actionable insights for future treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to targeted therapies that fewer side effects and improve survival for children with medulloblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked epigenetic alterations to MB, but precise roles of KMT2D in MB are still being defined, making this a promising but exploratory effort.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Min Gyu — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lee, Min Gyu
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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.