Angelina Vaseva, PhD to Receive Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program New Investigator Award

Abstract

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) -associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is the leading cause of death in patients with NF1 syndrome. It is a highly aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma with very limited therapy options due to resistance to conventional therapies as well as a metastatic propensity. There is an urgent need for novel and more effective therapies. The most common molecular characteristic of NF1-MPNST is loss-of-function alterations in the NF1 gene, which leads to uncontrolled activation of RAS oncoproteins and RAS-effector pathways. Dr.Vaseva’s laboratory will study novel approaches to target these pathways, with the goal of designing novel clinical trials.

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Since 2004, UT Health San Antonio, Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute’s (Greehey CCRI) mission has been to advance scientific knowledge relevant to childhood cancer, contribute to understanding its causes, and accelerate the translation of knowledge into novel therapies. Greehey CCRI strives to have a national and global impact on childhood cancer by discovering, developing, and disseminating new scientific knowledge. Our mission consists of three key areas — research, clinical, and education.

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