Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

44 Binney Street

Boston, MA 2115

United States

Selectively targeting EP300 with small molecule inhibitors for neuroblastoma therapy

Neuroblastoma

Mentor Name: Jun Qi

Targeting the biological underpinnings of pulmonary metastasis in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma

Project Team

Dissecting the Contribution and Inheritance of Germline DNA Damage Repair Gene Mutations in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma

Prior research has suggested that anywhere from 7-28% of all pediatric cancers arise in part due to germline (normal tissue) mutations in cancer predisposition genes.

Dissecting Functional uORFs as a Source of Cancer Genes in High-Risk Medulloblastoma

Brain Tumors, Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma is a highly deadly form of brain cancer that almost exclusively impacts children, especially young children.

Characterizing Inflammatory Phenotypes Associated with RUNX1 Deficiency

Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) plays key regulatory roles in blood cell development and disease. Inherited mutations in RUNX1 gene results in familial platelet disorder with predisposition to AML (FPD/AML), a condition characterized by easy bleeding or bruising as a result of low platelet levels and an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia or other hematologic cancers in middle age.

Stapled Peptide PROTAC: A 3-in-1 Treatment for Pediatric Solid Tumors

Ewing Sarcoma, Neuroblastoma, Osteosarcoma

Cancer is the leading cause of death by a disease in children ages 0-19 years old. Whereas cure rates for pediatric hematologic malignancies as a class can reach 90% or more, solid tumor cures have historically lagged and contribute disproportionately to the cancer death rate in children. A common mechanism among relapsed and treatment-resistant pediatric solid tumors is a combination of errant signaling that drives cancer cell proliferation and blocks cancer cell death. Thus, multiagent treatment that addresses multiple cancer-causing pathways is required.

Single-cell Transcriptomics in Pediatric Ependymoma

Brain Tumors

Mentor: Mariella Filbin

Dissecting and Targeting Apoptotic Resistance in Pediatric Leukemia

Leukemia

Mentor: Loren Walensky

Dissecting the Role of FOXR2 in the Oncogenesis of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Brain Tumors, Brain Stem Glioma, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), Glioma

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a deadly pediatric brain cancer. Despite radiation treatment, the current standard of care, almost all children diagnosed with the disease succumb to it with a median survival of 12 months. There have been few advancements in treatment, and current treatment has no curative intent. Therefore, there is a significant need to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve the terrible outcomes for these children and improve quality of life for patients and their families.

Development of Novel Allosteric Activators of PP2A for Pediatric Cancers

Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Mentor: Dr. Alfred Thomas Look

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer