NCI - National Cancer Institute
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Project Summary: Pleuropulmonary blastoma (PPB) is the most common lung cancer of childhood, now known to be related to pathogenic variation in DICER1, a critical regulator of embryogenesis. Nearly all clinically significant PPB is diagnosed in children under 7 years of age. Type I PPB is a purely cystic tumor with a layer of primitive malignant cells. Type I PPB may progress to Type II PPB, a mixed cystic and solid tumor, or Type III PPB, a highly aggressive, purely solid sarcoma. Children with Type I PPB are treated with surgery with or without chemotherapy; however it is not clear which children require chemotherapy and which children can be safely observed. Children with Type II or III PPB face an overall survival of only 74 and 53% respectively. In Types I, II and III PPB, there is a need for risk stratification so that children with residual or progressive disease can receive more intensive tumor-directed treatment and children with a favorable prognosis can be spared unnecessary side effects. Since 1988, the International PPB Registry, based at Children’s Minnesota, has been enrolling children with PPB in an effort to improve outcomes for this rare tumor. Our industrial partner, ResourcePath, has developed DICER-Dx, a blood-based assay to detect DICER1hotspot circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). We hypothesize that the unique molecular pathogenesis of DICER1-related tumors can be exploited to facilitate tumor monitoring in PPB. This project focuses on 1) the clinical validation of novel "liquid biopsy" assays for sensitive detection and quantification of tumor burden in Types I, II and III PPB and 2) delivery of current and future DICER1-related advances to children globally, leveraging our emerging partnership with Beijing Children’s Hospital to increase accrual and accelerating successful completion of the proposed work. Relevance: These assays will apply to children and adults with DICER1-related cancers and improve upon existing tumor monitoring while minimizing the risks of diagnostic radiation and sedation. DICER-Dx provides a new way to measure DICER1-related cancer burden and response to therapy and therefore represents a pioneering application of liquid biopsy technology in childhood cancer. These assays may be useful not only in clinical practice, but also as companion diagnostics in preclinical drug development and clinical trials and will be an essential component of future translational studies for the International PPB/DICER1 Registry. Additionally, validation of these biomarkers is the next critical step in our efforts to develop ctDNA-based biomarkers for use in healthy children and young adults with DICER1 pathogenic variation at elevated risk of DICER1-related cancers.
Detecting DICER1: A global partnership to cure pediatric lung cancer is a NCI - National Cancer Institute grant providing up to $432K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2027-05-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Up to $432K
2027-05-31
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Detecting DICER1: A global partnership to cure pediatric lung cancer is offered by NCI - National Cancer Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
Detecting DICER1: A global partnership to cure pediatric lung cancer provides up to $432K per award from NCI - National Cancer Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
Applications for Detecting DICER1: A global partnership to cure pediatric lung cancer are due 2027-05-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NCI - National Cancer Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
To apply for Detecting DICER1: A global partnership to cure pediatric lung cancer, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NCI - National Cancer Institute.