ZFTA-RELA Ependymoma: uncovering what drives this pediatric brain cancer
Official title: Transcriptional Regulation in ZFTA-RELA Ependymoma
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11377521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at St. Jude aims to understand how the ZFTA-RELA gene fusion pushes pediatric brain tumors to grow, with the goal of finding points to intervene and slow or stop cancer progression.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $622,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284455-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children diagnosed with ZFTA-RELA–driven ependymoma or related brain tumors who may benefit from insights into tumor biology and future targeted therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Children whose tumors are not driven by ZFTA-RELA or who are not eligible for follow-on trials may not receive direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model that mimics the human ZFTA-RELA-driven ependymoma to study how this fusion protein reshapes transcriptional programs in brain cells. Researchers will map which transcription factors and downstream genes are essential for tumor initiation and maintenance. By identifying key regulators, the work seeks to reveal potential targets for therapies that could slow or halt tumor growth in children. The study combines genetic tools, barcode screening, and analyses of developmental transcription networks to connect basic biology to possible clinical interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could highlight new targets for drugs that disrupt the cancer-driving transcriptional network in pediatric ependymoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in this area has begun to link transcriptional regulators to ependymoma initiation, with ongoing progress suggesting potential for translation to therapy, though much is still unknown.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding ZFTA-RELA Brain Cancer in Children
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.
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Investigating how EZHIP interacts with PRC2 in a specific brain tumor in young children
This study is looking at how a protein called EZHIP interacts with a group of proteins that help control the growth of a specific type of brain tumor in young children, with the hope of finding new ways to treat this challenging condition.
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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.