| Project title | Developing Novel Paediatric Brain Cancer Immunotherapies |
|---|---|
Grant Amount | $345,000 |
Investigator Team | Early Career Fellow Dr. Alexander Davenport, Supervisor and Associate Investigator A/Prof. Misty Jenkins, Associate Investigators Dr. Ryan Cross, A/Prof. Raelene Endersby, Dr. Stacie Wong, Prof. David Eisenstat. |
Grant Type | Early Career Fellowship |
Years | 2024-2027 |
Recent clinical trials demonstrated the remarkable positive impact of CAR T cells on patients with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), leading to significant improvements in fine motor skills and reversing partial facial paralysis. However, relapses invariably occur, highlighting the need for more effective solutions. By leveraging our established pipeline, I have developed a functioning CD63 CAR for DMG. The field of immunotherapy recognises that successful treatments necessitate combining personalised targeted therapies, a strategy that has yielded remarkable cures in paediatric leukaemia. Beyond the CD63 CAR, I have identified several additional targets for developing novel CARs. Our team possesses the necessary models and systems to develop these therapies, and our strong clinical collaborations will expedite their translation.
“This program is not only highly feasible but has the potential to make a significant impact on how we approach this devastating disease, providing hope to children and their families.”