Research
The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) selects only the highest quality research for pediatric brain tumors.
CBTF has funded state-of-the-art research and supported conferences for pediatric brain tumors over the past 30 years.
Grant Applications submitted during our open Grant Application period are reviewed thoroughly by our dedicated team of renown scientific advisors.
Our process is based on National Institutes of Health review standards, led by Dr. Roger J. Packer, founding advisor and chairman of the advisory.
Advisors are assigned applications to ensure there are no conflicts of interest. Our dedicated advisors voluntarily review, score, and summarize each application. Advisors hold a teleconference call to discuss the applications. Recommendations are made to CBTF after the full review.
The CBTF Board then discusses the recommendations and overall review scores/summaries and collective comments before voting on which applications will be selected for funding.
Each year, we receive many outstanding applications, but cannot fund all. It is through the support of private and public donations that CBTF is able to fund grant programs.
To learn more about our research grant application process and for a list of funded grants, please visit the CBTF Research Grants Application page.
The 2025 grant application is now open.
RESEARCH FUNDED BY CBTF GRANTS
These articles include summaries of some research that was completed with funding provided by CBTF.
Role of TSC2 inactivation in brain development and medulloblastoma
Dr. Anna Marie Kenney, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation generously provided support to my lab at Memorial…
Continue Reading Role of TSC2 inactivation in brain development and medulloblastoma
Rapid Development of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) for DIPG
Daniel W. Lee, MD, University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville One-year study, final summary 2019 Dr. Lee and his lab set out to develop…
Continue Reading Rapid Development of Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs) for DIPG
A Novel Mechanism and Immediately-Translatable Targeted Therapy Group 3 MB
Yin Wang, Ph.D. First-year Children’s National, DC; University of Maryland, Baltimore Two-year study, second year Dr. Wang’s group has made significant progress for their…
Continue Reading A Novel Mechanism and Immediately-Translatable Targeted Therapy Group 3 MB
The Roles of O-GlcNAcyulation in the Hedgehog Pathway in Medulloblastoma
Huadong Pei, Ph.D., The George Washington University New Funding Summary, first of two years Medulloblastoma is the most common and aggressive type of brain…
Continue Reading The Roles of O-GlcNAcyulation in the Hedgehog Pathway in Medulloblastoma
Defining LncRNA-Transcription Factor Networks in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Carl D. Novina, M.D., Ph.D.Dana-Farber Cancer Institute NEW-first of two-years 2019-2020 “The central organizing idea of biology (dogma) is that DNA (the blueprint of…
Continue Reading Defining LncRNA-Transcription Factor Networks in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Targeting H3.3 mutations in pediatric HGG
Brendan D. Price, Ph.D., Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA First–Year Funding Summary, going into the second-year Pediatric…
Repurposing low-dose quinolone methanol derivatives as a novel treatment for pediatric high grade gliomas
Jian Teng, Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital one-year 2018-2019 final summary I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank CBTF for your funding to…
Role of MOS Proto-oncogene in H3.3K27M Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Stephen C. Mack, Ph.D., Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s one-year study, final summary We are grateful for support provided by the CBTF and…
Continue Reading Role of MOS Proto-oncogene in H3.3K27M Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Targeting MYC Driven Medulloblastoma with Combinatorial Immune Checkpoint Blockade.
Allison Martin, M.D. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. In cases of relapsed or refractory disease there is no known…
Continue Reading Targeting MYC Driven Medulloblastoma with Combinatorial Immune Checkpoint Blockade.
Multispecific CAR T cells for the Treatment of High Grade Gliomas in Children
Kevin Bielamowicz Poor outcomes for children with high grade glioma (HGG) warrant novel therapeutic strategies, and redirecting immune cells can achieve this aim while…
Continue Reading Multispecific CAR T cells for the Treatment of High Grade Gliomas in Children
The Role of Recurrent Mutations of H3F3A and ATRIX in Pediatric High Grade Glioma
A. Thomas Look, M.D. Dana Farber Cancer Institute New Grant Application: High-throughput sequencing of cancer patient’s genomes has enabled the identification of genomic alterations…
Continue Reading The Role of Recurrent Mutations of H3F3A and ATRIX in Pediatric High Grade Glioma
Aberrant Epigenetic Control of Notch Signals in Medulloblastoma
Jean-Francois Rual, Ph.D. University of Michigan Progress Update from 1st year: 8/1/2014-7/30/2016 Millions of cells are formed every day in the developing brain of…
Continue Reading Aberrant Epigenetic Control of Notch Signals in Medulloblastoma
Multispecific CAR T cells for the Treatment of High Grade Gliomas in Children
Kevin Bielamowicz, M.D., Arkansas Research Institute 2016, second year Poor outcomes for children with high grade glioma (HGG) warrant novel therapeutic strategies, and redirecting…
Continue Reading Multispecific CAR T cells for the Treatment of High Grade Gliomas in Children
Targeting pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) by debiquitinase inhibition
Hai-Ri Song, M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Neurosurgery/Neurology, New York University School of Medicine one year, 2016 In spite of dramatic advances in the…
Continue Reading Targeting pediatric glioblastoma (pGBM) by debiquitinase inhibition
Reciprocal Regulation of Electroresponsiveness between Glioblastoma and Brain
2016 Summary Principal investigators: Dimitris Placantonakis and Jayeeta Basu, NYU School of Medicine Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly brain tumor affecting children and adults.…
Continue Reading Reciprocal Regulation of Electroresponsiveness between Glioblastoma and Brain
Braf Mutation Effects on Malignant Astrocytoma
Claudia Petritsch, Ph.D. Funded 2015, second year BRAF Mutation effects on malignant astrocytoma development and therapy responses. Abstract: CD133+ subpopulations of cells in glioblastoma…
Continue Reading Braf Mutation Effects on Malignant Astrocytoma
A Potential New Drug for Pediatric Glioblastomas
Rheal Towner, Ph.D., Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Progress Update from 2nd year: 9/2012-8/2014 The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation funded project, Novel Agent for Pediatric…
Continue Reading A Potential New Drug for Pediatric Glioblastomas
Functional Analysis of the H3.3‐K27M mutation in pediatric glioma
Marius Wernig, M.D., Ph.D. Stanford University School of Medicine The lysine 27 to methionine substitution in histone variant H3.3 (H3.3-K27M) is the most common…
Continue Reading Functional Analysis of the H3.3‐K27M mutation in pediatric glioma
Role of MicroRNA Regulatory Networks in Pediatric Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Fausto J. Rodriguez, M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Progress Update: One-year funding, 9/2013-8/2014 The main goal of this proposal is to compare…
Continue Reading Role of MicroRNA Regulatory Networks in Pediatric Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Targeting the MPS1 Kinase for Medulloblastoma Therapy
Rajeev Vibhaker, M.D., Ph.D. University of Colorado Progress Update: 9/2012-8/2014 We have completed the initial set of studies to examine the role of MPS1…
Continue Reading Targeting the MPS1 Kinase for Medulloblastoma Therapy
BRaf Mutation Effects on Asymmetric Division in Malignant Astrocytoma
Claudia Petritsch, Ph.D., The Regents of the University of California Funding duration 2012-2014, Program Summary Studies have shown that a mutant activated form of…
Continue Reading BRaf Mutation Effects on Asymmetric Division in Malignant Astrocytoma
Evaluating the efficacy of Casein Kinase 1 Agonists on Medulloblastoma Recurrence
Jezabel Rodriguez-Blanco, Ph.D. Postdoctorate Associate, Molecular Oncology The DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery Progress Update: 9/2013-8/2015 Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly malignant brain…
Continue Reading Evaluating the efficacy of Casein Kinase 1 Agonists on Medulloblastoma Recurrence
The Short and Long-term Effects of Biological Agents on Oligodendrocyte Lineage and Progenitor Cells in Developing Brain
PI: Joseph Scafidi, DO – Children’s Research Institute, Washington, DC Grant duration, Aug. 2011 – Sept. 2013, review is update on progress The brain…
A Physical Activity Intervention to Improve Cognitive Effects in Children with Brain Tumors
Pamela L. Wolters, Ph.D., Neurobehavioral Program, National Cancer Institute Program duration 2012-2013, one-year Significant cognitive late effects are associated with cranial radiation therapy. Although…
IMP3 protein expression is a potential independent prognostic factor in pediatric PILOCYTIC and pilomyxoid astrocytoma.
Sarah Rush, University of Colorado 2012, Summary research update Pediatric pilocytic and pilomyxoid astrocytomas are slow growing and amenable to surgical cure if located…
Clinical and biological relevance of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway activation in pilocytic astrocytoma
Fausto J. Rodriguez M.D., Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Report from funding, 2011-2012. This study has been published in two journals. Pilocytic astrocytomas (PA)…
Validation of IMPS as a prognostic marker in juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma
Sarah Rush, M.D., University of Denver Two-year funding, 2010-2011 Juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas (JPA) are common tumors of childhood. Despite the high incidence, the biological factors…
Continue Reading Validation of IMPS as a prognostic marker in juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma
Clinical and biological relevance of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation in pilocytic astrocytomas
PI: Fausto J. Rodriguez M.D., Johns Hopkins Medical Institute new 2011-2012, one-year Patients with pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) generally have favorable outcomes following surgical intervention,…
Modeling pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Charles Eberhart, M.D., Ph.D. 2010-2011 funding Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are among the most deadly pediatric brain cancers, with no effective therapies. Unfortunately,…
Continue Reading Modeling pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Phase I and Pharmacokinetic study of Satraplatin in children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors, including CNS tumors
Leigh Marcus, M.D., National Cancer Institute Special Project funded 2010-2011 We would like to thank the CBTF for supporting our phase 1 clinical trial…
Histologic and Genomic Evaluation of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Gliomas and Supratentorial Gliomas
Kathy Warren, M.D., NCI Special Project funded 2010-2011 Children with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) continue to have a poor outcome despite advances in…
The Short and Long-term Effects of Biological Agents on Oligodendrocyte Lineage and Progenitor Cells in Developing Brain
PI: Joseph Scafidi, DO, Children’s Research Institute Grant duration, Aug. 2011–Sept. 2013. New, first year summary. Childhood is a critical time because of rapid…
Evading p53 mediated tumor surveillance in medulloblastoma
PI: Susan M. Mendrysa, Ph.D., Purdue University First year, August 2011- September 2012, Funding duration 2011-2013 Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain…
Continue Reading Evading p53 mediated tumor surveillance in medulloblastoma
MicroRNA expression in pediatric high-grade glioma
PI: Lionel Chow, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Summary report, grand duration 2011-2013 Children who develop high-grade glioma (HGG) have a very poor prognosis.…
Continue Reading MicroRNA expression in pediatric high-grade glioma
Druggable signaling pathways in juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma
Chuck Stiles, M.D. November 2010, Summary With the generous support of the Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation, the laboratory of Dr. Charles Stiles at Dana-Farber…
Continue Reading Druggable signaling pathways in juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma
A Novel Mouse Model of Medulloblastoma
Chin Chiang, M.D. Second-year funding 2010-2011 Medulloblastoma, the most common pediatric solid tumor, is characterized by its rapid progression and tendency to spread along…
Sonic Hedgehog: Hippo pathway cross-talk in cerebellar neural precursor biology and pediatric brain tumorigenesis
Africa Fernandez, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center first year funding, 2010 – 2011 Medulloblastomas are brain tumors arising in the cerebellum, and they are…
The Hedgehog Pathway in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Philip Beachy, Ph.D. and Michelle Monje, M.D. 2010-2011 funding Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a devastating childhood brain tumor that is poorly understood…
Continue Reading The Hedgehog Pathway in Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
RAD001 Clinical Trial Summary
Low-grade gliomas are the most common brain tumor in children. Although some patients can be effectively cured with surgery alone, recurrences are common in…
CNS RHABDOID TUMORS: INTEGRATING BIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS WITH CLINICAL SUCCESS
Partial sponsorship-funding of a professional meeting for ATRT The Childhood Brain Tumor was a partial sponsor for this important meeting that was held March…
Continue Reading CNS RHABDOID TUMORS: INTEGRATING BIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS WITH CLINICAL SUCCESS
A Role of a Transcription Factor, FoXm1, in Cancer Stem Cells in Pediatric Brain Tumors
Ichiro Nakano, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Instructor / Assistant Professor, Departments of Neurosurgery, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA 2008 Despite…
Hedgehog Pathway Activation in Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Michael Cooper Funded 2008 Pilocytic astrocytoma is commonly viewed as a benign lesion with an excellent 10-year survival rate. However, disease onset is most…
Continue Reading Hedgehog Pathway Activation in Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma
Gene Expression Analysis of Medulloblastoma
The Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation is proud to announce year 2001 funding of a promising research study entitled, “Gene Expression Analysis of Medulloblastoma” submitted…
Continue Reading Gene Expression Analysis of Medulloblastoma
The Importance of Research
Why Research is Important to Me
John Y.H. Kim, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX Pediatrics became the focus of my clinical interests because of its intrinsic orientation toward developmental issues. I have since had the great fortune of serving children and their families who have charged me with my life’s work. No group of patients and families appeared to …
Researching Childhood Brain Tumors
Gary Tye, M.D., Virginia Commonwealth University In my practice as a pediatric neurosurgeon I see children afflicted with brain tumors on a regular basis, either for surgery or in the many required follow-up visits. Despite our best standards of care, many of these children, assuming they survive their cancer, may suffer severe developmental and cognitive …
Why I Do Brain Tumor Research
Dr. Jack Su, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine When I first chose pediatric oncology for my fellowship, invariably I was asked the question “Why would you want to take care of children with cancer?” Now that my career has evolved to working with children with brain tumors, I am still …