Effective Therapies for Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors

Effective therapies for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors In an upcoming clinical trial, AeRang Kim, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues at four other institutions will give participants a combination of drugs that target specific pathways involved in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) growth to see if the drugs shrink, slow down or stop the progress of MPNSTs. Based on preclinical data demonstrating substantial MPNST shrinkage in mice treated with a combination of MEK and mTOR inhibitors, the trial will look at the MEK inhibitor selumetinib in combination with the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus for patients with unresectable or metastatic MPNST.

Dr. Yanxin Pei receives grant from V Foundation for Cancer Research Yanxin Pei, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Brain Tumor Institute and the Children’s Research Institute was awarded a prestigious grant by the V Foundation for Cancer Research to support her groundbreaking work in finding new treatments for childhood medulloblastoma. Parasitic eggs trigger upregulation of inflammation genes A team of researchers from Children's National recently identified a number of genes upregulated by the bladder cancer causing parasite Schistosoma haematobium. They discovered commonalities with other pathways, including malaria, rheumatoid arthritis and the p53 signaling pathway. Starting the new year with strong leadership Three Children’s National Hospital executives are also in leadership roles within professional societies, elected by their peers, further highlighting the strength of the leadership at Children’s National and professional respect within the health care community. Virginia Tech to join new research campus Children’s National Hospital and Virginia Tech recently announced a formal partnership that will include the launch of a 12,000-square-foot Virginia Tech biomedical research facility within the new Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus.

Upcoming Events Annual Meeting of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation March 22-25, 2020 Madrid, Spain Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting April 29-May 1, 2020 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology May 6-9, 2020 Fort Worth, Texas 52nd Congress of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology October 14-17, 2020 Ottawa, Canada