| Project title | Improving the Radiosensitivity of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas Dipg by Targeting Hypoxia and Sugar Metabolism |
|---|---|
Grant Amount | $345,000 |
Institution | The University of Sydney |
Investigator Team | Early Career Fellow Dr. Han Shen, with his supervisor Dr. Eric Hau and associate investigators Dr. Raluca Maltesen, Dr. Harriet Gee, and Dr. Kelly McKelvey |
Grant Type | 2019 Early Career Fellowship |
Years | 2019 – 2023 |
DIPG is the leading cause of brain tumour-related death in children. Radiotherapy is the only treatment that has some transient benefit. However, children with DIPG quickly develop resistance to radiotherapy.
This project aims to overcome resistance to radiotherapy by targeting pathways within the DIPG tumour. The research team will test generic, clinically available drugs in models of DIPG, to improve the sensitivity of DIPG cells to radiation. Researchers will also determine ways to predict treatment response. This could lead to a change in treatment regime and longer survival for children with DIPG.
“The anticipated impact of this research project is of great significance: it may lead to a change in treatment regime resulting in longer survival for children with DIPG.”