Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are rare, aggressive brain tumors that primarily affect very young children and have limited treatment options. Dr. Rajeev Vibhakar at the Children’s Hospital of Colorado is leading research to investigate a promising new approach by targeting a critical protein—called CDK7—that ATRT tumor cells depend on to grow and survive.
By blocking CDK7 using drugs that already exist, researchers aim to shut down the tumor’s growth at its source, potentially creating a more precise and less toxic treatment than current therapies. If successful, this work could lead to an entirely new targeted treatment option for children diagnosed with ATRT.
This project was made possible through a collaborative partnership between the TLC Foundation, Solving Kids’ Caner, the Bibi Fund, and the Hope4ATRT Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to accelerating innovative research for children with rare and devastating brain tumors.
