Latest News, Grants & Research Reports
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Neuroblastoma UK Awards £1.1 Million in 2024 Grant Round
Neuroblastoma UK is awarding £1.1 million in its 2024 grant round to fund new innovative research into neuroblastoma. New therapeutic approaches, pathways to improve existing treatments and exploration of an MRNA vaccine are just some of the projects to be funded in the 2024 grant round; with an emphasis on translational research which can be rapidly transferred from the lab bench to bedside.
Research partly funded by Neuroblastoma UK leads to an innovative stem cell model providing insight into childhood cancer origins
Researchers from the University of Sheffield and St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute have created a model designed to investigate the origins of neuroblastoma, a cancer primarily affecting infants and young children. The findings offer hope for the creation of tailored treatments which treat aggressive neuroblastomas and minimise the adverse effects experienced by patients from existing therapies.
Encouraging results from the study investigating the role of Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and Natural Killer cells in Neuroblastoma
In 2023, Dr Gao, working with Prof Juliet Gray and Dr Zoë Walters at the University of Southampton, aimed to determine the role of natural killer cell- mediated anti-tumour effects in neuroblastoma, after treatment with EZH2. The objectives of the study were to look at the correlation between EZH2 protein expression and the surface expression of natural killer ligands in neuroblastoma cells, and to determine if the natural killer cells induced cytotoxicity that could be enhanced in the neuroblastoma cell lines with EZH2 inhibitors.
Neuroblastoma UK statement about debate in House of Commons on childhood cancer outcomes
Neuroblastoma UK, a charity that funds research into neuroblastoma, a rare and often aggressive childhood cancer, welcomes the debate in the House of Commons today (26 April) on childhood cancer outcomes.
There is an urgent need for more research funding into childhood cancers, particularly neuroblastoma, to improve diagnosis, treatment and survival rates.
From molecules to medicine: new funding to accelerate rare childhood cancer research
Thanks to your kind donations, Neuroblastoma UK is pleased to announce two research grant awards totalling £683,477, with a focus on improving treatment for children with advanced stages of the disease.
The grants, which include a donation of £15,000 from charity Friends of Rosie, will enable scientists to progress their research and develop safer, non-invasive and more effective treatment for children with the disease.
Developing personalised treatment for ALK-positive neuroblastoma
Thanks to funding from Neuroblastoma UK, post-doctoral research associate Dr Perla Pucci was recruited to join a neuroblastoma research team at the University of Cambridge.
The team, led by Dr Suzanne Turner, are looking to develop more personalised treatment for children with ALK-positive neuroblastoma. Perla tells us more about how the project has progressed.
Understanding potential cancer-causing proteins to improve neuroblastoma treatment
In 2019, Neuroblastoma UK provided a grant of £143,648 to Dr Andrew Stoker and his team at University College London.
The team want to investigate how a particular protein that is well known to promote tumours in several cancers including breast, lung and prostate cancer works in neuroblastoma cells.
Developing personalised treatment for children with neuroblastoma
In 2019, we awarded £236,141 to Dr Suzanne Turner at the University of Cambridge, as part our 2019 research grant round.
Here we meet Dr Turner and find out more about her three year research project aimed at improving the effectiveness of ALK inhibitors for children with neuroblastoma.
Can a keto diet enhance therapy for neuroblastoma?
In 2019, we awarded nearly £5,000 to Prof Robert Falconer and Xiaoxiao Guo at the University of Bradford.
This research grant enabled them to explore the potential for a ketogenic diet to enhance neuroblastoma therapy. Let’s find out more.
Understanding how neuroblastoma develops
With Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), we awarded £72,656 to Dr Anestis Tsakiridis at the University of Sheffield.
The team are working to understand how human trunk neural crest cells become cancerous. This research could lead to further investigations to stop neuroblastoma cells from developing.
Dr Tsakiridis shares his motivations, why team work matters and tells us more about his exciting work.