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$2 Million Grant Propels Newcastle Researchers Closer to Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

today3 February 2025

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newy.com.au – A major funding boost is set to accelerate the search for a cure for one of the deadliest childhood cancers, with a University of Newcastle research team securing a $2 million National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to advance new treatments for diffuse midline glioma (DMG).

The grant, announced by Federal Health Minister Mark Butler as part of a broader $20 million Australian Government initiative to combat childhood brain cancers, will support Newcastle’s dedicated efforts to develop desperately needed treatment options for DMG, a disease with no current cure.

Professor Matt Dun, a leading paediatric oncology researcher at the University of Newcastle and part of HMRI’s Precision Medicine Research Program, has spearheaded efforts to understand and combat DMG. Formerly known as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), DMG is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and young adults.

“Tragically, children diagnosed with DMG typically survive less than a year after diagnosis,” said Professor Dun, who also leads the Paediatric Brain Cancer stream at the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) Centre for Brain Cancer Research. “Unlike other high-risk cancers, there are currently no effective treatment options available.”

Over the past seven years, Professor Dun’s team has identified key genetic markers that could be targeted with new drugs. Despite recent progress in discovering vulnerabilities and conducting early-stage clinical trials, long-term survival outcomes remain elusive.

“Using our expanding knowledge of DMG, we’re determined to break the cycle of failed treatments by deploying sequential therapies that specifically target tumour weaknesses,” Professor Dun explained.

Harnessing AI and Cutting-Edge Science

The research project, titled Sequential & Temporal Therapeutic Agility for the Treatment of Diffuse Midline Glioma, will incorporate cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, to refine treatment approaches and improve survival outcomes.

By integrating expertise from biomedical science, chemistry, immunology, AI, and clinical practice, the team aims to develop a transformative multimodal treatment plan that adapts in real-time to individual patients.

“Our hypothesis is that by leveraging machine learning, we can monitor how tumours respond to treatment and adjust therapies accordingly—before they stop being effective,” Professor Dun said.

A core element of the project is the development of DMG-Advanced Machine-learning Precision Treatment Strategy (ADAPTS), which will analyse tumour samples, cerebrospinal fluid, and immune cell responses to determine the best treatment pathways.

“Our goal is to establish sustainable, life-extending treatment options by working closely with patients, pharmaceutical companies, computational scientists, and healthcare providers,” Professor Dun said.

A Crucial Step in the Fight Against DMG

Professor Dun described the NHMRC grant as a vital step towards tackling one of the most devastating paediatric diseases.

“This funding honours the memory of the 20 to 25 Australian children who lose their lives to DMG each year, and provides hope for future families facing this devastating diagnosis. Our aim is to give these children a fighting chance,” he said.

Federal Government’s $20 Million Investment in Brain Cancer Research

The University of Newcastle’s funding is part of a broader $20 million initiative by the Australian Government to support research into childhood brain cancers. The investment is divided into two key streams:

  • Stream 1: The establishment of a National Childhood Brain Cancer Clinical Trial Consortium to improve access to cutting-edge treatments.
  • Stream 2: Funding for novel pre-clinical and early-stage clinical research aimed at improving understanding of paediatric brain cancers like DMG and developing new treatment strategies.

Further financial support has come from additional partners, with RUN DIPG contributing $700,000 to Stream 1 and $874,000 to Stream 2, directly supporting Professor Dun’s research. The Little Legs Foundation has also pledged $874,000, while the Mark Hughes Foundation has contributed $500,000 across both funding streams.

With this latest funding boost, Newcastle’s research team is closer than ever to achieving a breakthrough that could transform the outlook for children diagnosed with this aggressive disease.

Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.