RESEARCH FOCUS
We wanted to remind you exactly where funds raised are going. Thanks to our working model of the Arcs and increasing support via the families impacted by rhabdomyosarcoma, funds raised are approaching £2.5million. We currently have seven rhabdomyosarcoma research projects in our portfolio across the UK research institutions we work with.
RESEARCH PROJECT ROUND-UP
1 – ‘Identification and evaluation of foetal immune targets in rhabdomyosarcoma’ In conjunction with CRUK and Children with Cancer UK. (Wellcome Sanger/UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health)
2 – ‘Fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma – understanding of RAS gene pathways with a focus on DNA repair and replication stress’ (University of Birmingham)
3 – ‘To understand the impact of the RMS tumour environment on RMS treatments’ (University of Birmingham)
4 – ‘Exploring the used of liquid biopsies in the treatment of children with rhabdomyosarcoma’ (Institute of Cancer Research)
5 – ‘Investigating the role of the MYOD1 bio marker in fusion negative rhabdomyosarcoma. It is known that this marker typically leads to a poorer prognosis’ (Institute of Cancer Research)
6 – ‘An exploration of the maturation targets and resistance models which correlate to a relapse in rhabdomyosarcoma’ (part of project bulleted one) Institute of Cancer Research
7 – ‘A living systematic review of early phase studies for CYP with relapsed or refractory rhabdomyosarcoma’ (Joint project with CCLG, University of York).
THE FUTURE
We are also continuously assessing (with our Scientific Advisory Team) new research projects and have agreed to fund a new innovative project starting next year (Details soon).
It is important to us that we have a long-term pipeline of work, that we raise research questions important to our families and that we enable findings of previous research to be investigated in new projects. It is important to us that opportunities are created for the PostDocs and PHD students that we fund so they continue their research career paths in rhabdomyosarcoma and childhood cancer. It is important to us that the research is analysed and reported throughout the project life-cycle. We will do everything in our power to play an active role in the cycle of research and keep the patient perspective at the forefront.
We thank you for your support which is enabling this research to happen. Please do get in touch if you want to learn more about our research.
