Synthesis and Application of Tritiated Activin Receptor Like Kinase 2 Radioligands for Molecular Investigations of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare childhood cancer that affects part of the brainstem. DIPG is typically diagnosed in children aged 5-10 years old and does not have any effective forms of treatment. Since there are no treatments, the average survival time for children who are diagnosed with DIPG is only 11 months. We are a part of a global, open science initiative to find effective treatments for children suffering from DIPG. There is an enzyme called ALK2 that is mutated to be overly active in many children suffering from DIPG, with up to 30% of patients expressing mutant ALK2. These over-activating mutations are thought to contribute to DIPG tumour growth and aggression, so developing a drug for inhibiting ALK2 is a promising route for treating DIPG. The goal of this proposal is to develop a molecular imaging tool (or radioligand) that can be used to efficiently screen potential ALK2 drug candidates and imaging agents in vitro to help expedite the drug discovery process for treating DIPG. We will also use these radioligands to further study autopsied DIPG tumour tissues to learn more about potential therpeutic targets and imaging biomarkers in this disease.

Faculty Supervisor:

Neil Vasdev

Student:

Partner:

Amsterdam Univeristy Medical Center

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: