The UAB Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at Children’s of Alabama was awarded a $75,000 Hyundai Scholar Grant to support the pediatric cancer research of assistant professor Stuart Cramer, M.D.
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| Photo: John Michael Simpson, Children's of Alabama |
Cramer’s research focuses on the use of a new drug, MLN8237, in treating children with neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor that develops from nerve tissue and is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood cancer, mostly found in infancy. It accounts for about 15 percent of all cancer deaths in children and occurs in about one in 100,000 children. Even with treatment options, survival remains poor for patients with high-risk disease.
The goal of Cramer’s research is to obtain a better understanding of multi-drug resistance transporters and their role in high-risk neuroblastomas.
“With this knowledge, we will be able to improve patient-risk stratification, outcomes and survival in this patient population,” says Cramer. “And with this type of support, we will have the opportunity to ultimately find a cure.”
Hyundai Hope on Wheels is an effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. The group primarily funds non-profit children’s hospitals across the United States for pediatric cancer research and strives to build public awareness about the importance of this cause.