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Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare and devastating cancer of childhood. Identifying and characterizing novel genes essential for RMS cancer growth can help improve our understanding of RMS disease process. Novel genes identified can also serve as potential therapeutic drug targets for treating RMS patients. BCOR is among the most frequently mutated genes in RMS. However, the role of BCOR in promoting cancer growth and disease progression remains unexplored. As the recipient of the Glen Parker Bayne Hero Fund St. Baldrick's Research Grant, Dr. Chen is working to characterize the biological function of BCOR in RMS. Completion of the study will not only provide new insights into the role of BCOR in the disease process of RMS, but also therapeutic rationale for targeting BCOR in improving survival outcomes of RMS patients.

This grant is named for the Glen Parker Bayne Hero Fund which was established to honor this little boy's courageous battle with rhabdomyosarcoma and celebrate his survivorship. Glen was diagnosed when he was almost 2 and endured a year of intensive treatment. Today he has no evidence of disease and Glen's Army, a group of family and friends rally to raise funds and awareness for research to find cures.

Based on progress to date, Dr. Chen, was awarded a new grant in 2016 to fund an additional year of this Scholar award. Dr. Chen's research aims to discover new drugs that would prevent cancer relapse in children with rhabdomyosarcoma, one of the most common childhood cancers. She is testing drugs to see how effective they can be at killing rhabdomyosarcoma tumor cells and keeping kids with rhabdomyosarcoma cancer-free. Awarded at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc. and transferred to the University of Washington.