Combinatorial Targeting of Oncogene-Driven Childhood Cancer - Stand Up To Cancer

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SU2C-CRUK Pediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge: Combinatorial Targeting of Oncogene-Driven Childhood Cancer

Grant Term: March 2021-September 2023

The SU2C-CRUK Pediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge is a new, focused effort to spark novel approaches and new collaborations from investigators both within and outside the field of paediatric cancer research, with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of innovative and effective approaches to treating paediatric cancers. This program will support collaborative, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, trans-Atlantic Teams to pursue a transformative change in our understanding of the drivers of paediatric cancers and the development of novel or repurposed medicines, treatment strategies or technologies. With a clear and rational line of sight to the clinic, these projects will have the potential to significantly impact paediatric cancer patients, including teenagers and young adults.

Supported by:

ABOUT THIS TEAM’S RESEARCH

A major issue in the field of paediatric cancer is the plateauing of survival rates due to cancers that are inherently resistant to conventional frontline therapies. While there is much optimism due to the success of immunotherapies in the treatment of cancers, the application of these same agents to childhood cancers has been a disappointment. The diminished efficacy in children could be due to either immune evasion by paediatric tumours or an increased ability to create a barrier to immune cells. The Team proposes to address these possibilities in both neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma by: 1) designing CAR-T cells to overcome immune evasion as well as overcoming immune barriers by both formulating new compounds to overcome tumour growth and immune barrier formation and 2) by using a combination of drugs called an “in situ vaccine” to strengthen immune responses. They also propose to test combinations promising options arising from both aims to increase therapeutic efficiency.

Pediatric New Therapies Challenge Overview

SEE SCIENTIFIC ABSTRACT

MEET THE TEAM

This is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, trans-Atlantic Teams Research Team that includes expertise beyond paediatric oncology (e.g. other areas of oncology, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, etc.) and investigating one or more of the following concepts: the basis of tumour initiation and progression; novel therapeutic approaches; development of novel biomarkers or methodologies to predict disease progression, to enhance efforts in primary and secondary prevention and intervention; novel models that would enhance pre-clinical research; development of more effective and/or less toxic treatments to improve long-term health and quality of life.

John Anderson, BA, MBBS, MRCP, PhD
Leader
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
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Louis Chesler, MD, PhD, FRCPCH
Co-leader
The Institute of Cancer Research
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Paul M. Sondel, MD, PhD
Co-Leader
University of Wisconsin and UW Carbone Cancer Center
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TEAM MEMBERS

John Anderson, BA, MBBS, MRCP, PhD
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Leader

Louis Chesler, MD, PhD, FRCPCH
The Institute of Cancer Research
Co-leader

Paul M. Sondel, MD, PhD
University of Wisconsin and UW Carbone Cancer Center
Principal Investigator

Laura Donovan, PhD
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Principal Investigator

Darren Hargrave, MD, FRCPCH, MRCP
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Principal Investigator

Evon Poon, PhD
The Institute of Cancer Research
Investigator

Marta Barisa, PhD
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Young Investigator

Benjamin Draper, PhD
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Young Investigator

Sophie Munnings-Tomes, PhD
University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
Young Investigator

Lizzie Tucker, PhD
The Institute of Cancer Research
Young Investigator

Alaide Morcavallo, PhD
The Institute of Cancer Research
Young Investigator

Lauren K. Zebertavage, PhD
University of Wisconsin and UW Carbone Cancer Center
Young Investigator

Leanne Partington, EngD, MRes, BSc
University College London
Project Manager

Parker Moss
Patient Advocate

Lori R. Schultz
UW Health American Family Children’s Hospital
Patient Advocate

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

Stand Up To Cancer’s research projects are designed to foster collaborative, swift translational research. The hallmarks of these efforts include rigorous application and selection procedures, sufficient funding to allow scientists to focus on the objectives of the grant, and reviews by senior scientists every six months. These reviews help the investigators capitalize on the latest findings, address potential roadblocks, and collaboratively evolve as the science requires. Please click on the link to see summaries of research results so far for the SU2C-CRUK Pediatric New Discoveries Challenge team.

TEAM PROGRESS UPDATES

PUBLICATIONS

Links to publications will be posted when they are available.

CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS REFERRALS

Cancer clinical trials allow researchers to study innovative and potentially life-saving new treatments. The goal is to find treatments that are better than what’s currently available; in fact, the therapies offered to today’s cancer patients were almost all studied and made possible by people participating in clinical trials. But many cancer clinical trials aren’t completed because not enough people take part.

At StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials, you’ll find clinical trial information, answers to common questions, and a free clinical trial finder tool.

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