Home / Health / Jax State Prof Fights Rare Childhood Cancer
Jax State Prof Fights Rare Childhood Cancer
25 Jul
Summary
- Dr. Le Su received over $73K for rare pediatric cancer research.
- The deadly sarcoma has a grim prognosis with few effective therapies.
- Federal funding for pediatric cancer research remains critically low.
A Jacksonville State University biology professor, Dr. Le Su, has been awarded a $73,003.37 Extended Scholar Grant from the St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer Research Foundation. This one-year grant, extending through June 30, 2027, will support laboratory research into CIC-DUX4 sarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer affecting children.
The prognosis for patients diagnosed with this sarcoma is dire, with a high rate of spread to the brain and lungs, and an average lifespan of less than two years. Currently, effective therapies for this condition are limited.
Dr. Su's strategy involves mapping the genes that sustain the cancer cells to pinpoint where FDA-approved compounds can halt tumor growth. This approach aims to expedite the translation of laboratory findings into clinical trials. Su is the first Jax State researcher to receive funding from St. Baldrick's, a leading non-governmental funder of pediatric cancer research.
Federal funding for pediatric cancer research constitutes only 4 percent of overall federal cancer funding, a disparity that Su highlights as a reason for the slow development of treatments for young patients compared to adults. This private funding is crucial for advancing research and involving students in hands-on scientific investigation.
