Targeting FACT to inhibit MYCN-driven transcription in neuroblastoma

Targeting FACT to inhibit MYCN-driven transcription in neuroblastoma

Recipient: Dr Daniel Carter
Institute: UNSW Australia
Funding: $296,428 July 2016 to June 2020

Despite aggressive therapy, the majority of children with high-risk neuroblastoma are incurable.

Neuroblastoma accounts for 15 per cent of all childhood cancer deaths, and only a half of high-risk patients survive their disease. Dr Daniel Carter and his team have newly identified a potential, novel therapeutic target - a protein called FACT which is found in these highly malignant tumours.


Behind the science: Dr Dan Carter


In this three-year project co-funded by The Kids’ Cancer Project and Cancer Australia, Dr Carter will investigate the role of FACT as a novel genetic driver of neuroblastoma. The research will focus on the mechanisms by which FACT can cause a normal cell to turn into cancer, and explore potential therapies that inhibit FACT in cancer cells. 

This project receives further support through Cancer Australia's Priority-driven Collaborative Cancer Research Scheme.