Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced nearly $2 million in funding from the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a nonprofit that supports peer-reviewed cancer research. The grants were awarded to two research leaders advancing innovative approaches to detecting and treating cancer in children. Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko, PhD, Chief of the Division of Cancer Pathobiology at CHOP, was awarded the $1 million V Foundation Pediatric All-Star Cancer Research Grant to develop a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer.
Dr. Thomas-Tikhonenko and his team will investigate P2RX5, a promising target found on leukemia cells, using genetic and biological datasets, laboratory studies, and preclinical models to evaluate the safety and efficacy of P2RX5-targeted CAR T cells. The research could pave the way for a first-in-human clinical trial within the next several years and ultimately provide a more precise treatment option for children with relapsed or treatment-resistant T-ALL. Importantly, the work may also help address disparities in cancer outcomes, as P2RX5-positive leukemias are more prevalent among children of African and Hispanic ancestry.
Suzanne MacFarland, MD, an attending physician in the Cancer Center at CHOP and Director of its Cancer Predisposition Program received an $800,000 V Foundation Pediatric Translational Cancer Research Grant to study a blood-based "liquid biopsy" approach for children and young adults with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare inherited condition associated with a significantly increased risk of developing cancer. In Dr. MacFarland’s study, researchers will pilot the use of a blood-based assay to detect tumor DNA in the bloodstream to detect cancer earlier than current screening methods. This study will also assess how liquid biopsy testing affects patients and caregivers. This study will be the crucial first step to understand the feasibility of this screening method ahead of a larger national trial.
“These awards are advancing two powerful frontiers in pediatric cancer research, from developing more precise, potentially lifesaving immunotherapies for children with difficult-to-treat leukemia to pioneering blood-based approaches that could detect cancer earlier in those at highest genetic risk,” said Susan L. Furth, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at CHOP. “Together, they bring us closer to a future where cancer care is more targeted, more equitable, and more effective for every child. We are grateful to the V Foundation for Cancer Research for their longstanding partnership and ongoing support of our work.”
The V Foundation has awarded nearly $6 million in funding to CHOP since 2010 to support efforts and this year’s announcement marks the largest award in a single year. The All-Star Cancer Research grant is designed to advance transformative, high-risk/high-reward childhood cancer projects, and is only awarded to previous V Foundation grant recipients. Dr. Thomas-Tikhonenko, received the V Foundation’s Pediatric Translational Award twice: in 2011 for the project "Novel Therapeutic Targets in Pediatric Acute B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia" and again in 2018 for "Alternative Surface Epitopes in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia." These two projects allowed the Thomas-Tikhonenko laboratory to join the Pediatric Immunotherapy Discovery and Development Network (PI-DDN) funded by the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
The Pediatric Translational Cancer Research grant supports research that moves promising cancer discoveries from the lab toward clinical trials and improved patient care.
“These awards are a testament to the ingenuity, dedication, and vision of Drs. Thomas-Tikhonenko and MacFarland, whose research is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in pediatric cancer care,” said Kara Coleman, Vice President of Grants and Research at the V Foundation. “Their work exemplifies the power of scientific discovery to address some of the greatest challenges facing children and families, bringing us closer to more effective treatments, earlier detection, and better outcomes for future generations.”
To learn more visit CHOP’s Cancer Center.
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Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced nearly $2 million in funding from the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a nonprofit that supports peer-reviewed cancer research. The grants were awarded to two research leaders advancing innovative approaches to detecting and treating cancer in children. Andrei Thomas-Tikhonenko, PhD, Chief of the Division of Cancer Pathobiology at CHOP, was awarded the $1 million V Foundation Pediatric All-Star Cancer Research Grant to develop a novel chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), an aggressive form of blood cancer.
Dr. Thomas-Tikhonenko and his team will investigate P2RX5, a promising target found on leukemia cells, using genetic and biological datasets, laboratory studies, and preclinical models to evaluate the safety and efficacy of P2RX5-targeted CAR T cells. The research could pave the way for a first-in-human clinical trial within the next several years and ultimately provide a more precise treatment option for children with relapsed or treatment-resistant T-ALL. Importantly, the work may also help address disparities in cancer outcomes, as P2RX5-positive leukemias are more prevalent among children of African and Hispanic ancestry.
Suzanne MacFarland, MD, an attending physician in the Cancer Center at CHOP and Director of its Cancer Predisposition Program received an $800,000 V Foundation Pediatric Translational Cancer Research Grant to study a blood-based "liquid biopsy" approach for children and young adults with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), a rare inherited condition associated with a significantly increased risk of developing cancer. In Dr. MacFarland’s study, researchers will pilot the use of a blood-based assay to detect tumor DNA in the bloodstream to detect cancer earlier than current screening methods. This study will also assess how liquid biopsy testing affects patients and caregivers. This study will be the crucial first step to understand the feasibility of this screening method ahead of a larger national trial.
“These awards are advancing two powerful frontiers in pediatric cancer research, from developing more precise, potentially lifesaving immunotherapies for children with difficult-to-treat leukemia to pioneering blood-based approaches that could detect cancer earlier in those at highest genetic risk,” said Susan L. Furth, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at CHOP. “Together, they bring us closer to a future where cancer care is more targeted, more equitable, and more effective for every child. We are grateful to the V Foundation for Cancer Research for their longstanding partnership and ongoing support of our work.”
The V Foundation has awarded nearly $6 million in funding to CHOP since 2010 to support efforts and this year’s announcement marks the largest award in a single year. The All-Star Cancer Research grant is designed to advance transformative, high-risk/high-reward childhood cancer projects, and is only awarded to previous V Foundation grant recipients. Dr. Thomas-Tikhonenko, received the V Foundation’s Pediatric Translational Award twice: in 2011 for the project "Novel Therapeutic Targets in Pediatric Acute B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia" and again in 2018 for "Alternative Surface Epitopes in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia." These two projects allowed the Thomas-Tikhonenko laboratory to join the Pediatric Immunotherapy Discovery and Development Network (PI-DDN) funded by the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Moonshot Initiative.
The Pediatric Translational Cancer Research grant supports research that moves promising cancer discoveries from the lab toward clinical trials and improved patient care.
“These awards are a testament to the ingenuity, dedication, and vision of Drs. Thomas-Tikhonenko and MacFarland, whose research is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in pediatric cancer care,” said Kara Coleman, Vice President of Grants and Research at the V Foundation. “Their work exemplifies the power of scientific discovery to address some of the greatest challenges facing children and families, bringing us closer to more effective treatments, earlier detection, and better outcomes for future generations.”
To learn more visit CHOP’s Cancer Center.
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Kaitlyn Dvorin
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Foundation