The Glioblastoma Research Organization Launches Project DeLaRosa in Support of Pediatric Brain Cancer Research at Children’s National Hospital
WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 24, 2024 — The Glioblastoma Research Organization (GBMRO) announces its largest donation to date, $80,000, to fund Project DeLaRosa in partnership with Children's National Hospital. The research, "Longitudinal Biopsy for Evaluation of Treatment Response and Tumor Immune-microenvironment for Diffuse Midline Glioma," targets pediatric tumors, aiming to revolutionize the understanding and treatment of aggressive central nervous system (CNS) tumors.
CNS tumors, such as diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an inoperable and aggressive pediatric brain tumor, are notorious for evading treatment through their diverse cell populations, manipulating the immune system, and escaping therapeutic agents that can’t cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Current research focuses on developing new therapeutic strategies and medications to overcome these obstacles.
“Project DeLaRosa marks a significant milestone for our organization's brain cancer research-funding mission. Pediatric brain tumors, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children, demand urgent attention,” mentions Amber Barbach, founder and director of the GBMRO. “We are proud to support world-class research at Children's National Hospital, whose team ensures providers are equipped to improve pediatric healthcare now and into the future."
Led by Javad Nazarian, Ph.D., M.Sc. and its global DMG-ACT pre-clinical team, Project DeLaRosa will fund the NICO Myriad Biopsy System, suitable to precisely collect tumor samples from the brain stem. The research involves a novel pre-clinical longitudinal biopsy technique, which enables researchers to take multiple samples from the same tumor over time. This approach provides invaluable insights into how the cancer responds to treatment, potentially leading to developing new, more effective drug combinations and personalized treatment strategies for patients.
"Project DeLaRosa holds promise in transforming treatment for pediatric brain tumors like diffuse midline glioma (DMG) and could provide crucial insights into tumor response and the immune microenvironment," emphasizes Dr. Javad Nazarian. "We are grateful for the Glioblastoma Research Organization's support of our mission to advance innovative research that directly impacts patients and families.”
The organization’s latest initiative memorializes Christine DeLaRosa and Bernie DeLaRosa, who tragically passed away from Glioblastoma, one of the deadliest CNS tumors, within 15 months of each other. Their children and families continue honoring their legacy by advocating for battling this malignant brain cancer.
About The Glioblastoma Research Organization
The Glioblastoma Research Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization raising awareness and funds for cutting-edge research to find a cure for Glioblastoma, a rare malignant, fast-growing tumor affecting the brain or spine. The organization was established in 2018 and, to date, has provided support to doctors and researchers through eight fully funded projects, donating over $425,000 in the last few years. For more information about the organization, funding and partners, please visit www.gbmresearch.org/.
About Children’s National Hospital
Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 children’s hospital in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children and is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care.
Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute, Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Our Center for Genetic Medicine Research’s mission is to understand health and disease as complex interactive processes influenced by genomics and other -omics, and to use this knowledge to precisely restore health and prevent illnesses in childhood and throughout the lifespan of individuals of diverse backgrounds. The Center focuses on common health problems in Washington, D.C., as well as serving as an international referral site for rare disorders. The Center houses a highly interdisciplinary faculty, with nearly half of the physician-scientists coming from clinical divisions in the hospital. The Center strives to provide faculty easy access to the latest technologies in genomics, microscopy, bioinformatics, pre-clinical drug trials and multi-site clinical trial networks.