Understanding ZFTA-RELA Brain Cancer in Children
Official title: Transcriptional Regulation in ZFTA-RELA Ependymoma
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11141793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to understand how a specific genetic change drives an aggressive type of children's brain cancer called ependymoma, hoping to find new ways to treat it.
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 | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $622,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284455-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not currently recruiting patients but is focused on understanding the specific genetic drivers of ZFTA-RELA ependymoma, which could benefit children diagnosed with this condition in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain cancer or those without the ZFTA-RELA gene fusion may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Ependymoma is a serious brain cancer that affects children, often caused by a specific gene change called ZFTA-RELA. For over 30 years, treatment options for this cancer haven't changed much. Our goal is to learn exactly how this ZFTA-RELA gene change makes the cancer grow and spread. By understanding these basic mechanisms, we hope to uncover new targets for medicines that could stop the cancer. We are using advanced models to map out the cancer's growth process, which could lead to better treatments for children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new targets for drugs, leading to more effective and less toxic treatments for children with ZFTA-RELA ependymoma.
How similar studies have gone: This project uses a newly developed mouse model, suggesting a novel approach to dissecting the mechanisms of ZFTA-RELA ependymoma.
Where this research is happening
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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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Condensates and ZFTA-driven Ependymoma in kids
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ZFTA-RELA Ependymoma: uncovering what drives this pediatric brain cancer
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Investigating how EZHIP interacts with PRC2 in a specific brain tumor in young children
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Investigating the role of a protein in a specific type of brain tumor.
This study is looking at a tough type of brain tumor called ependymomas, especially in patients with a specific gene change, to see how a protein called FACT interacts with it, with the goal of finding new ways to treat these tumors better.
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.