Targeting Transcriptional Cyclin Dependent Kinases in medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a highly aggressive embryonic tumour of the cerebellum and the most common malignant brain tumour of childhood (1). Despite a cure rate of approximately 70-75% among children aged ?3 years, MB survivors continue to pay a high price, in terms of long-term adverse sequelae, for cure (2). A well defined neoplastic feature of MB is the genetic modifications of several different components of the Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)/Cyclin regulatory complex that plays a vital role in the cell cycle progression and transcriptional control (3-6). These genetic aberrations contribute to MB formation, suggesting that pharmacologic intervention to inhibit the CDKs activity may be a useful chemoprevention or therapeutic strategy for MB patients.

Grant Award – Kidscan Student Placement (2018 – 2019)

Funding Award – £2000.00

Funding Awarded to – Dr Gianpiero Di Leva

Research Location – University of Salford

Lead Researcher – Dr Gianpiero Di Leva