Federal Grant Award Summary

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Inc. received a $721,653 Project Grant award from the National Cancer Institute under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395), effective June 5, 2026, with a completion date of May 31, 2031. The research focuses on identifying protein O-mannosylation as a therapeutic vulnerability in KIAA1549-BRAF-driven pediatric low-grade gliomas (PLGGs), the most common solid tumors in childhood. The project deliverables include fundamental research to elucidate the role of the protein O-mannosyltransferase (POMT) complex in facilitating gliomagenesis through the modification of the KIAA1549 fusion protein, with the ultimate objective of establishing POMT as a novel and druggable therapeutic target.

The grant supports translational research activities conducted at the Boston, Massachusetts facility, emphasizing in vivo validation through mouse studies to assess both the therapeutic potential of POMT suppression and associated developmental toxicities across the pediatric age spectrum. These preclinical studies will inform subsequent drug development efforts for pediatric patients with PLGGs, addressing a critical knowledge gap where existing in vitro and computational models cannot adequately evaluate phenotypes within the context of the glioma microenvironment and developmental considerations essential for pediatric drug safety assessment.