Treatment of NF1-Driven Neurofibromas through VDR-Mediated Stromal Reprograming

Abstract

Virtually every patient diagnosed with neurofibromatosis is faced with the challenge of managing neurofibroma tumor growth. This can range from the emotional difficulties of cosmetically disfiguring dermal neurofibromas to the more painful growth of deep-tissue plexiform neurofibromas. Here we propose to take a radically new approach to target to neurofibromatosis-associated tumors by breaking down their stromal support network with a clinically approved class of drugs that target the vitamin D receptor (VDR). We will test if this VDR stromal remodeling therapy is sufficient to impact tumor growth on its own and explore its potential to work in combination with clinically approved MEK inhibitors. Of particular relevance for patients, VDR therapies are relatively safe for long-term treatment and are already available in the clinic, allowing this work to immediately translate into clinical trials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Accession Number
AD1164129

Entities

People

  • Ronald M. Evans

Organizations

  • Salk Institute for Biological Studies

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Bile
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Research
  • Cancer
  • Cells
  • Colon Cancer
  • Combination Therapy
  • Culture Techniques
  • Department Of Defense
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Gene Expression
  • Inhibitors
  • Macrophages
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neoplasms
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Neuromuscular Diseases
  • Small Molecules
  • Therapy
  • Vitamin D

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

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  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.