Federal Grant Award Summary

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc. received a $475,681 Project Grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395) for the period June 12, 2026 through May 31, 2028. The award supports research exploring CDC2-like kinase 2 (CLK2) as a novel therapeutic target in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and young adults. Given the critical clinical need—five-year event-free survival for metastatic RMS patients remains below 30% despite 30 years of treatment advances and relapsed RMS patients face only a 17% five-year progression-free survival rate—this research aims to develop a new therapeutic avenue by targeting CLK2, a kinase that regulates pre-mRNA splicing, a process essential to RMS cell survival.

The funded research deliverables include two primary aims: (1) investigation of CLK2 inhibition efficacy across various RMS models using both genetic and pharmacologic approaches, and (2) determination of CLK2 inhibition mechanisms of action through RNA-sequencing analysis and functional validation. This translational research addresses a significant unmet clinical need while potentially reducing treatment toxicity currently associated with intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens. The project represents the NCI's commitment to developing improved cancer treatment methods through fundamental and applied laboratory research in molecularly targeted therapies.