# Neurobiology and Brain Tumor Program

> **NIH NIH P30** · ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL · 2020 · $70,177

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT—Neurobiology and Brain Tumor Program
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. Despite rapid advances in our
understanding of disease biology, current treatment approaches are still lacking for some patients and lead to
long-term, debilitating side effects in others. The goal of the Neurobiology and Brain Tumor Program (NBTP)
is to improve survival and morbidity for children with brain tumors by developing effective, relatively non-toxic
therapies through a better understanding of disease pathogenesis. The NBTP is an established multidisciplinary
Program with a proven record in translating fundamental neuroscience and cancer biology discoveries into novel
diagnostics and clinical trials. Our genome-wide studies of the major pediatric brain tumor types identified novel
mutations, defined molecular subgroups, and opened new avenues of basic, translational, and clinical
investigation. Exciting advances in the fields of molecular pathology, imaging, and radiation oncology provide
additional promise for progress in treatment of these clinically formidable diseases. Drs. Suzanne Baker
(laboratory lead), an expert in the molecular pathogenesis of brain tumors and Amar Gajjar (clinical lead), a
nationally recognized leader in pediatric brain tumor therapeutics are responsible for the leadership of the
Program. To facilitate collaboration and drive translation, the NBTP is organized into 3 working groups:
Fundamental Neurobiology, Translational Research, and Brain Tumor Therapy. The NBTP has 16 Full
Members and 3 Associate (junior mentored) Members, representing the Departments of Bone Marrow
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Cell and Molecular Biology, Developmental Neurobiology, Genetics,
Oncology, Pathology, Pediatric Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Radiation Oncology. Program
members have a total of $3.8M in annual peer-reviewed funding, including $2.6M in NCI funding, Research from
the NBTP has resulted in 458 publications, of which 31.4% are intra-programmatic, 29.9% are inter-
programmatic, and 77.5% are inter-institutional (with other NCI-designated Cancer Centers). In addition, during
the funding period (2013-2017) the NBTP contributed 879 interventional enrollments of which 762 were
therapeutic enrollments. During the current funding period, NBTP accomplishments led to a paradigm shift in
the global understanding and treatment of commonly diagnosed pediatric brain tumors. Results from key NBTP
studies included an unprecedented view of the somatic mutation landscape of several pediatric brain tumors;
novel oncogenic drivers of DIPG and ependymoma; discovery of extensive heterogeneity within virtually all
pediatric brain tumor histotypes; and new insights into the cellular origins and pathogenesis of pediatric brain
tumors. NBTP members also translated our fundamental genetic discoveries into 4 early-phase clinical trials
(SJHG12, SJPDGF, SJDAWN, SJATRT) and the precision medicine p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9883751
- **Project number:** 5P30CA021765-41
- **Recipient organization:** ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** SUZANNE J. BAKER
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $70,177
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9883751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9883751, Neurobiology and Brain Tumor Program (5P30CA021765-41). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9883751. Licensed CC0.

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