A Murdoch Children’s Research Institute’s (MCRI) project that aims to slow or reverse the growth of a deadly childhood brain cancer has received funding.

Professor David Eisenstat has been awarded $156,914 over 12 months to investigate whether diffuse midline glioma (DMG) tumours can be targeted by switching certain genes on or off within brain cells.

DMG is the most common cause of cancer-related death in children, with about 30 new cases diagnosed every year in Australia.

Professor Eisenstat said his team would use cutting-edge technology to determine if cancer cells could be reprogrammed to stop dividing, growing and spreading.

Image: Professor David Eisenstat

“When it comes to malignant childhood brain cancers we currently rely on methods like radiotherapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy — while these can knock down the cancer tree they do not address the root cause of the issue,” he said.

“In order to go deeper, we need to understand why these cells become cancerous and then work to reprogram them to become like healthy, functioning neurons instead of dangerous, malignant tumours.”

Professor Eisenstat said the ultimate goal was to improve the DMG survival rate from less than 1 per cent to 20-50 per cent within a decade.

“There is not a one size fits all approach to this problem, however, we already know that certain proteins can turn thousands of different genes on or off and do play a role in the development of brain cancers,” he said.

“By establishing exactly how these cancers develop, we can switch them off early and provide valuable time for young patients by extending their lives or potentially even find a cure in the future.”

The funding has been provided by the Cure Starts Now Foundation, Brooke Healey Foundation, Melina Michelle Edenfield Foundation, the Cure Starts Now (Australia & Canada), Reflections Of Grace Foundation, Yuvaan Tiwari Foundation, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, Aubreigh’s Army Foundation 328, Aidan's Avengers, Run DIPG, Musella Foundation, Love4Lucas Foundation, Whitley’s Wishes, Anna’s Bake Sale Foundation, the Ayla Foundation, the Isabella and Marcus Foundation, Love Chloe Foundation, Lauren's Fight for Cure, Robert Connor Dawes Foundation, Ryan's Hope, the Gold Hope Project, Abby’s Corner Foundation, Snapgrant.com and the DIPG/DMG Collaborative.

Read more about MCRI’s neuro-oncology and cancer therapies research.