Recipient: Professor Brandon Wainwright
Institute: University of Queensland
TKCP funding: $196,207 July 2019 to June 2022
PdCCRS* funding: $392,413
Total funding: $588,620
Promising new drug for brain cancer in children
The Wainwright laboratory has identified a promising new drug to treat the most frequent brain tumour in children.
Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer related death and disability in children. The most common of these is medulloblastoma, a tumour arising in the cerebellum, and it is associated with very poor survival.
Behind the science: Professor Brandon Wainwright
Using functional genomics and bioinformatics the Wainwright lab searched for potential new therapeutics for the disease and discovered CDK4/6, a new drug with a lot of potential.
In this latest research study, the team will test it in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the lab. If successful, it promises to improve survival. In the longer term, it may also be able to reduce the dose of toxic chemotherapy and radiation therapy, therefore significantly improving quality of life for survivors.
Results will determine how this drug can be effectively incorporated into existing treatment and will provide the evidence needed to justify a new children’s brain cancer clinical trial.
Learn about Cancer Australia's Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme.