Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Michelle Monje

Project Overview

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is the second most common malignant brain tumor in children and the leading cause of pediatric cancer death. We have developed the first published experimental model system to study DIPG, and using this have discovered some of the molecular factors that drive DIPG tumor growth. We now propose to use our mouse model system to test a therapeutic strategy combining two drugs. This purpose of this proposal is to develop a strategy that will target two types of cell in the tumor - those responsible for tumor initiation, and a distinct population responsible for tumor expansion. If efficacious, we would seek to translate the findings quickly to a clinical trial for children suffering from DIPG.