The University of Newcastle’s research team has been awarded a $2 million grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to advance treatments for diffuse midline glioma (DMG), the deadliest form of childhood cancer. This funding is part of a broader $20 million Australian Government initiative aimed at combating childhood brain cancers. ?

Leading the project is Professor Matt Dun, the University of Newcastle’s Professor of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, and the Paediatric Brain Cancer stream leader at the Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research. Over the past seven years, Professor Dun and his team have identified key genetic factors and potential drug targets for DMG. Despite these advancements, current therapies have not significantly improved long-term survival rates. ?

The newly funded project, titled “Sequential & Temporal Therapeutic Agility for the Treatment of Diffuse Midline Glioma,” aims to develop a transformative, multimodal treatment regimen. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, the team plans to adapt treatments in real time based on tumour and immune cell profiling. This approach seeks to identify optimal therapies and adjust them sequentially to enhance patient outcomes. ?

This grant represents a significant step forward in the fight against DMG, offering hope for more effective, life-sustaining treatment options for affected children.?