# Molecular Characterization Trial

> **NIH NIH U54** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2024 · $362,760

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Molecular Characterization Trial (MCT) is the source of biospecimen and data resources for the ROBIN
Center. As such, its success is paramount to the success of the entire initiative, and strategies that expedite
the acquisition of these essential resources will accelerate the timeframe in which they are made available for
all the innovative work performed in the Research Projects and Cores. The Harvard/UCSF ROBIN has chosen
for its theme the study of pediatric malignancies as the optimal setting for in depth investigation into the impact
of heterogeneity, in both its tumor cell intrinsic and extrinsic manifestations, on radiation responses. The MCT
will achieve these goals via the following Aims: Aim 1: Coordinate the collection of biospecimens and
clinical data from cooperative group studies for use in ROBIN studies. The MCT will leverage two ongoing
trials: Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium PNOC023 for diffuse midline glioma (DMG), and
Children’s Oncology Group (COG) ANBL1531 for neuroblastoma (NBL). The study chairs for each trial are co-
leads of the MCT and Project 2, respectively. As a novel feature of the MCT, matched pairs of tumor samples
will be available from subjects who underwent pre-treatment biopsies and subsequently had post-treatment
surgical (NBL) or post-mortem (DMG) tissues obtained via established protocols. The ROBIN investigators will
also leverage additional resources that are uniquely available to them, including a collection of thirty DMG
tumor samples that are distinct from those obtained on the PNOC023 study and already in hand. The MCT will
also bolster an aim on late effects by obtaining blood samples and clinical data from the COG Late Effects after
High-Risk Neuroblastoma (LEAHRN) study, which includes 24 long-term survivors previously treated with the
radiopharmaceutical 131I-MIBG. Aim 2: Manage the regulatory aspects of the MCT, including site protocols
for collection of protected health information (PHI) and biospecimens in institutional biorepositories. Clinical
research and data coordinators will work with site leads at both Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and
UCSF to ensure rigorous and timely submission of study protocols, amendments, and continuing reviews so
that the work can steadfastly proceed. Also, because all PHI will flow through the MCT, which provides de-
identified resources to other ROBIN components, this will minimize risks to subject confidentiality. Aim 3:
Maintain standard operating procedures for processing and analyzing tumor, blood and CSF samples and
storing incoming and resultant high-dimensional data. Given the vast amounts of data involved, and the
intricate assays being performed, it is essential that the work is performed in a harmonized way to maintain
rigor and reproducibility. The MCT will rely on the combined expertise within the Clinical Artificial Intelligence
and Imaging Core and the Molecular Data Science and Advanced Dosimetry Core to ensure ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10931431
- **Project number:** 5U54CA274516-02
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** David Kozono
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $362,760
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-19 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10931431

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10931431, Molecular Characterization Trial (5U54CA274516-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10931431. Licensed CC0.

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