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We are excited to share a significant step forward in CURE’s 49-year effort to find cures for childhood cancers as we proudly announce a $5.6 million investment in innovative research studies – the largest amount we’ve ever committed in a single year.

This record-breaking investment represents an important advancement in our ongoing work. It reflects the growing support of our community, the persistent dedication of researchers, and our unwavering commitment to finding better treatments for children with cancer.

These studies are led by top scientists at leading pediatric cancer research institutions nationwide and focus on the most critical needs. Here’s what makes this investment so impactful:

  • Advancing Precision Medicine: We’re awarding $2 million to the Aflac Precision Medicine Program, reinforcing our leadership in this crucial field. This funding expands access to genetic sequencing for young patients. It accelerates research into targeted therapies, bringing us closer to truly personalized treatments and giving hope to many children with aggressive or recurring cancers.
  • Funding Diverse, Innovative Research: The remaining $3.6 million funds 11 promising projects carefully selected from over 90 applications. These studies address some of the most challenging childhood cancers with limited or outdated treatments, employing innovative approaches that could significantly improve treatment outcomes.
  • Bridging Research and Treatment: Time is precious in the fight against childhood cancer. That’s why we’ve prioritized studies with strong potential for rapid clinical translation, potentially bringing new treatments to children faster than ever before.
  • Harnessing Immune Power: Within every child’s body lies an army of potential cancer-fighting cells. Several projects focus on enhancing cutting-edge immunotherapy approaches, unlocking the full potential of the body’s own defense mechanisms, and offering new possibilities for children battling resistant forms of cancer.
  • Looking Beyond Remission: The fear of relapse looms heavy for patients and families. By investigating mechanisms of recurrence, these studies aim to improve long-term outcomes and quality of life for survivors – and offer children a chance at a cancer-free future.

As we make these awards, we’re filled with a sense of purpose and hope. While the road ahead may be challenging, each step forward brings us closer to our goal of conquering childhood cancer.

Thank you for being an essential part of this journey.

CURE’s 2024 RESEARCH AWARDS

Early Investigator Awards

Rula Green Gladden, MD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Redefining residual disease detection in pediatric AML

Elizabeth Young, MD, University of California, San Francisco
Defining determinants of a cGAS-STIGN-mediated anti-tumor inflammatory response in osteosarcoma

Translation to CURE Awards

Eric Sweet-Cordero, MD, University of California, San Francisco
Defining replication stress and DNA damage as a therapeutic vulnerability in osteosarcoma

Pavithra Viswanath, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Targeting and imaging serine metabolism in the tumor microenvironment in pediatric brain tumors

Michael Andreeff, MD, PhD,  University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center,
c-MYC protein degradation in therapy-resistant pediatric leukemias

Eugenie Kleinerman, MD, University of Texas, M.D, Anderson Cancer Center
Metabolic reprogramming of the Ewing Sarcoma tumor microenvironment using pramlintide to augment NK cell immunotherapy

Kristopher Bosse, MD, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Development of a GPC2 CAR T cell amplifying RNA vaccine

Alex Huang, MD, PhD, Case Western Reserve University
Effective TGF-beta signaling blockade synergizes cryoablation-induced STING activation in treating refractory and metastatic sarcoma

Jason Yustein, MD, Emory University
Dissecting and targeting PAK4-mediated signaling in Ewing Sarcoma development and metastasis

David Robbins, PhD, Georgetown University
Defining the druggable GLI Interactome in medulloblastoma

Soheil Meshinchi, MD, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Rapid Transition of B7-H3 Targeted Therapies to High-Risk Childhood AML

Precision Medicine Program, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
A program leveraging genomic sequencing for pediatric patients with high-risk tumors, with the goal of identifying alterations that can impact therapies and improve outcomes.