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Dr. Kabanov and colleagues propose an entirely new way to treat medulloblastoma, the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor. Current treatment requires radiation followed by a year of chemotherapy, fails almost half the patients, and can leave survivors with lifelong brain injury. Tiny extracellular vesicles called exosomes produced by a type of immune cell called macrophages were discovered to travel from the bloodstream into brain tumors. Dr. Kabanov will load exosomes with an agonist of Toll-like receptor to reprogram medulloblastoma tumor associated myeloid cells and enhance their tumoricidal properties. If successful, the therapy will improve medulloblastoma treatment by replacing the current radiation and chemotherapy with the one that is less toxic and more effective.

The second year of this grant is funded by and named for the Miracles for Michael Fund, a St. Baldrick's Hero Fund created in memory of Michael Orbany who was diagnosed with medulloblastoma when he was 6 years old. After completing initial treatment, his cancer relapsed within a year and he passed away at the age of nine. Michael had unwavering faith and perseverance, wanting most of all to make others happy. This fund honors his tremendous strength to never ever give up.

The first year of this grant is funded by and named for the Strong & Courageous Hero Fund, established in honor of Jonah. It celebrates his survivorship from medulloblastoma and his goofy, loving, inclusive personality. This fund was inspired by Jonah’s desire to help other kids with cancer and supports research of brain tumors and the multitude of challenges facing survivors post treatment.