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SU2C-CRUK Pediatric Cancer New Discoveries Challenge:
BRAINatomy: A Validated Anatomical Atlas of Childhood Neuroradiation Damage

Grant Term: April 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 pediatric cancer research, with the ultimate aim of increasing the number of innovative and effective approaches to treating pediatric 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 pediatric 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 pediatric cancer patients, including teenagers and young adults.

Supported by:

ABOUT THIS TEAM’S RESEARCH

Precision radiotherapy is currently an essential part of the treatment of many pediatric brain tumors. However, even with improvements in the targeting of the radiation, these treatments can still cause lifelong side effects on cognition and hormone production. This Team is proposing to study the path the radiation travels in treating pediatric brain tumors, comparing pre- and post-treatment in order to link brain regions to long term side effects. This project will allow the Team to identify the regions of the brain that are sensitive to radiation and involved in cognition and hormone production, in order to develop an atlas of brain regions to be avoided during radiotherapy.

Pediatric New Therapies Challenge Overview

MEET THE TEAM

This is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, trans-Atlantic Teams Research Team that includes expertise beyond pediatric oncology (e.g. other areas of oncology, biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, etc.) and investigating one or more of the following concepts: the basis of tumor 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.

TEAM MEMBERS

Martin G. McCabe, MB/BChir, PhD
University of Manchester
Leader

Thomas E. Merchant, BS, DO, PhD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Co-leader

Lara Barazzuol, PhD
University Medical Center Groningen
Principal Investigator

Marianne Aznar, PhD
University of Manchester
Principal Investigator

Marcel van Herk, PhD
University of Manchester
Principal Investigator

Stavros Stivaros, BSc (Hons) MBChB FRCR PhD
University of Manchester
Principal Investigator

Kate Vaughan, PhD
University of Manchester
Project Manager

Lesley Albutt
University of Manchester
Early Career Investigator

Abigail Bryce-Atkinson, PhD
University of Manchester
Early Career Investigator

Simon Dockrell, MBBS
University of Manchester
Early Career Investigator

Luiza Nazario, PhD
University Medical Centre Groningen
Early Career Investigator

Fakriddin Pirlepesov, PhD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Early Career Investigator

Lydia Wilson, PhD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Early Career Investigator

James Adams
Advocate

Joshua Goddard
Advocate

Helen Bulbeck
Braintrust
Advocate

Adam Thomson
Braintrust
Advocate

“This research could be a real game-changer for generations to come as we develop ways to deliver radiotherapy accurately to tumours but avoid sensitive areas of the brain and ultimately give patients much better lives.”

Martin G. McCabe, MB/BChir, PhD
University of Manchester

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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