Identifying Epigenetic-Based Targets Against Cancer Stem Cells in Rhabdomyosarcoma
Abstract
Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and devastating sarcoma with approximately 250 to 300 cases a year in the United States. While a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can eradicate most localized RMS tumors, there remains no effective treatment options against RMS tumors that have recurred or metastasized. Unfortunately, research into the biological mechanisms underlying rhabdomyosarcoma cancer relapse is notably limited, and therefore, potential solutions for genetic or non-genetic alterations that can be harnessed for drug design and therapies are scarce. Hence, our proposed study will address these shortcomings by focusing on (1) biology and etiology and (2) therapy in RMS. Specifically, we will screen through a large collection of drugs and genes to identify candidates that can either act alone or cooperate with a low amount of a chemotherapy drug to eliminate the cancer cells responsible for causing treatment-refractory relapsed disease. We will test the effects of these candidates on human tumors implanted in mice – an animal model that facilitates testing of drugs or genetic alterations for their therapeutic efficacy prior to actual clinical trials on human subjects. Completion of this study will advance our understanding of the disease mechanisms underlying RMS cancer relapse and identify potential drug therapies that can be tested in clinical trials. The ultimate results will help improve the survival outcomes of RMS patients with treatment-refractory cancer relapse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 28, 2022
- Source ID
- W81XWH2210476
Entities
People
- Eleanor Chen
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Washington