Understanding why pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma tumors don't mature properly
Official title: Mediators Of Arrested Differentiation In Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11008924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer that affects kids, doesn't develop like normal muscle cells do, and it's trying to find new ways to help these tumors grow properly so that treatments can work better and have fewer side effects for children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA251436-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, particularly those with high-risk forms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with rhabdomyosarcoma who are older than 11 years or those with non-high-risk forms of the disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind the failure of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), a common childhood cancer, to undergo normal muscle cell differentiation. By studying the genetic and molecular factors involved, the research aims to uncover new therapeutic strategies that could help these tumors mature and improve treatment outcomes. The approach includes analyzing specific gene expressions and their roles in tumor development, with the goal of designing targeted drug therapies that could enhance differentiation in RMS. This could lead to more effective treatments with fewer long-term side effects for affected children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for children with rhabdomyosarcoma, potentially increasing survival rates and reducing long-term complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding differentiation in other cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights and potential breakthroughs in treating rhabdomyosarcoma.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hatley, Mark Edward — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Hatley, Mark Edward
Related research
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Targeting how RMS cells fail to mature to slow or stop pediatric muscle cancer spread
A project to understand why a pediatric muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma spreads, and to test ideas that could slow or stop it by helping cancer cells mature properly.
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Epitranscriptomic Crosstalk in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
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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.