CBTN
Scientific Projects
The CBTN has developed an unprecedented array of scientific resources to support discoveries into childhood brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors. To date, data scientists, clinicians, and lab researchers have requested resources to launch many scientific data and biospecimen projects. These projects are exploring the genetic underpinnings of several distinct brain and CNS tumor diagnoses in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. To submit a project proposal, please fill out the form below. Upon receipt, CBTN will review your request and start the process of granting data access or shipping specimens.
Search & Filters
Projects
Institutions
Tumor Types
Countries
Specimen
Assay Development
Ongoing
Gene Expression Analysis Platform Evaluation for FFPE Specimen Material-Based Studies
Newly developed technology is advancing the ability of researchers to gain important insight from small clinical specimens.
Medulloblastoma, HGG

Mateusz Koptyra
Data
Specimen
Genome Instability and Mutation
Ongoing
Proteogenomic Identification of Structural Variations
Changes to DNA that can give rise to cancers often create fusion proteins, proteins that may be useful as therapeutic targets. Using data from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas, researchers will analyze for the presence of such proteins in an effort to advance treatment options for pediatric brain cancers.
Medulloblastoma, DIPG

Brian Rood
Medulloblastoma, HGG, LGG

Gilad Evrony
Specimen
Sustained Proliferative Signaling
Target Identification
Drug/CRISPR Screen
Planning
Impeding LIN28 Function in ATRT
A lack of atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor samples representing all subtypes has stalled the understanding of this complex disease. Identifying subtypes based on molecular characteristics may provide therapeutic strategies for suppressing growth, proliferation, and development of ATRT. Using cell lines provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, researchers will investigate subtype-dependent responses to known treatments.
(AT/RT)
Giselle Saulnier Sholler
Specimen
Sustained Proliferative Signaling
Ongoing
Targeting Medulloblastoma by Regulating RNA Binding Proteins
RNA-binding proteins (RBP) may play critical roles in medulloblastoma development studying their roles will provide additional direct and indirect targets for the treatment of these tumors and beyond. Researchers will utilize cell lines provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network in an effort to identify new targets in the pediatric forms of these tumors.
Medulloblastoma

Robert Schnepp
Medulloblastoma, HGG, LGG, Ependymoma, DIPG

Rishi Ramesh Lulla
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Assay Development
Ongoing
Identification of Circulating Noncoding RNAs and Metabolites in Cerebrospinal Fluid(CSF) in Medulloblastoma Patients
Medulloblastoma is the most common pediatric brain tumor, and yet there is still much to be learned in order to effectively treat this disease. Researchers will utilize cerebrospinal fluid samples provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network in an effort to identify molecular markers that could lead to improved diagnostics, therapies and outcomes.
Medulloblastoma

Ranjan Perera
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Ongoing
Circular RNAs in Medulloblastoma
Recent research has found that newly identified RNA molecules, circular RNAs, play a role in an increasing number of cancers. Using samples provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, this project will generate the largest open-access dataset of circular RNAs in SHH medulloblastoma.
Medulloblastoma

Peter George Zaphiropoulos
Medulloblastoma

Chetan Bettegowda
Craniopharyngioma, Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT), LGG, Ependymoma, Ganglioglioma, DNET, Schwannoma

Mateusz Koptyra
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Tumor Microenvironment
Assay Development
Ongoing
Interactions Between Astrocytes and Tumor Cells are Critical for Medulloblastoma Growth
Astrocytes, a subset of nervous system cells found in medulloblastoma, may support the growth and survival for a subset of medulloblastoma tumors. Using samples provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, researchers will seek to validate previous results in hopes of advancing development of novel therapeutic options.
Medulloblastoma

Zeng-jie Yang
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Target Identification
Ongoing
GPC2 as an Immunotherapeutic Target in Medulloblastoma and other Pediatric Brain Tumors
GPC2 is a molecule expressed on the surface of cells in medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma cells. Researchers will analyze specimens provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network in an effort to determine whether GPC2 could serve as an immunotherapeutic target for the treatment of such tumors.
Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT)

Kristopher Bosse
Data
Specimen
Tumor Subtyping
Target Identification
Ongoing
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Childhood Supratentorial Ependymoma
There are many established subtypes of pediatric ependymoma and they may require different modes of treatment. Using samples and data provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Atlas, researchers seek to better understand these differences in an effort to direct personalized care.
Ependymoma

Vijay Ramaswamy
Oligodendroglioma

Adam Resnick
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Ongoing
Project Hope: High-Grade Glioma-Omics in Pediatric and AYA
High grade gliomas can affect patients of all ages, and cross-age group analysis could lead to advancements in care for all populations. Using samples and data provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Atlas, researchers supported by the NCI seek to improve outcomes for patients experiencing these tumors.
HGG

Adam Resnick
Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT), DIPG

Peter Madsen
Data
Sustained Proliferative Signaling
Target Identification
Ongoing
Fusion Analysis in CBTN RNAseq Data
Gene fusions and fusion proteins may serve as targetable cancer drives. Through analysis of data from the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas, researchers seek to accelerate the development of therapies for pediatric brain cancers.
All Brain Tumor Types

Andrea Sboner
All Brain Tumor Types

Thomas De Raedt
Craniopharyngioma, Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT), LGG, Ependymoma, Ganglioglioma, DNET, Schwannoma

Adam Resnick
Data
Avoiding Immune Destruction
Target Identification
Ongoing
Identifying New Cell Surface Targets for Immunotherapy Treatment of Poor Prognosis Pediatric Brain Tumors
Immunotherapy is a treatment strategy for patients that utilizes their own immune system to attack and remove cancer, and more research is needed to utilize such therapies for the treatment of pediatric brain cancers. Researchers will screen data provided by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas in an effort to identify possible immunotherapy targets.
All Brain Tumor Types

Misty Jenkins
Medulloblastoma, HGG, LGG, Ependymoma, Meningioma, Schwannoma

Nadia Dahmane
All Brain Tumor Types

Oren J. Becher
Medulloblastoma, HGG, Ependymoma

Xiao-Nan Li
HGG, LGG, Oligodendroglioma
Specimen
Sustained Proliferative Signaling
Inducing Angiogenesis
Planning
Therapeutic Targeting of the Blood-Brain Barrier in Pediatric Malignant Brain Tumors
The blood brain barrier (BBB) is known to limit the effectiveness of glioblastoma treatments. Using samples provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, researchers seek to enhance understanding of the BBB environment and of therapeutics that can pass the BBB.
HGG, DIPG

Sadhana Jackson
Specimen
Tumor Microenvironment
Planning
Microglial Mosaicism in BRAFV600E Glioma Development
Pediatric low grade gliomas require further research to better understand differences in tumor aggressiveness. Using tissue and blood cell samples provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, researchers will explore those differences in the pursuit of therapeutic vulnerabilities.
HGG, LGG, Ganglioglioma

Estibaliz Lopez-Rodrigo
Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT), LGG, Ganglioglioma, DIPG, Germinoma, NGGCTs

Javad Nazarian
Craniopharyngioma, Medulloblastoma, HGG, (AT/RT), LGG, Ependymoma, Ganglioglioma, DNET, Choroid plexus tumors, Meningioma, DIPG, Oligodendroglioma, Schwannoma, Germinoma, Choroid Plexus Tumors, Subependymal Giant cell Astrocytoma, NGGCTs

Adam Resnick
Specimen
Enabling Replicative Immortality
Target Identification
Ongoing
Targeting Replicative Stress in Pediatric Brain Tumors with ALT
There are many molecules associated with cell division that could serve as targets for cancer therapy. Researchers will analyze specimens provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network to determine whether drugs that inhibit such molecules could increase radiation sensitivity in pediatric brain cancer patients and improve outcomes.
HGG

Kristina A. Cole
Choroid plexus tumors, Choroid Plexus Tumors
Medulloblastoma, HGG, DIPG, Choroid Plexus Tumors
All Brain Tumor Types
All Brain Tumor Types
Specimen
Enabling Replicative Immortality
Molecular Characterization
Planning
Oncogene-Induced Senescence in RTK-fused Infant High Grade Gliomas
Senescence refers to a cell that is in a stage where they do not divide, and researchers believe senescence could have a roll in the different behaviors of glioma in pediatric patients vs. adult patients. Using rare specimens from infants and children provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Network, researchers will analyze senescence in glioma tissues in comparison to adult cancers.
HGG, LGG

David Kram
Data
Specimen
Molecular Characterization
Blood Brain Barrier
Assay Development
Planning
Characterizing the Blood-Brain-Barrier in Pediatric Brain Tumors
The blood brain barrier is an issue clinicians face when trying to deliver drugs for the treatment of brain cancers. Using rare samples and imaging data provided by the Children’s Brain Tumor Atlas, researchers will investigate new avenues for drug delivery.
HGG, LGG

Mark M. Souweidane