Turning the Tide: A Breakthrough in Treating Childhood Brain Tumours

Dr. Vijay Ramaswamy and Denise Bebenek

Congratulations to Dr. Vijay Ramaswamy and his team at the Brain Tumour Research Centre for their recent publication in Cell Reports Medicine highlighting their recent findings. 

This study focused on one of the most dangerous types of childhood brain cancer: TP53-mutant medulloblastoma, a subtype of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) medulloblastoma. Children with this form of cancer have extremely poor survival rates, and current treatments, especially radiation therapy, often fail. Worse still, the intense treatment causes lifelong side effects for many survivors. 

The researchers wanted to understand why radiation doesn’t work well in these cases and to find a way to make it more effective—without increasing harm. 

Using advanced gene-editing tools (CRISPR-Cas9), scientists identified that tumours with a TP53 mutation rely heavily on a specific DNA repair system called non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) to survive after radiation. By blocking a key protein in that repair system—DNA-PK—with a drug called peposertib, they found they could "re-sensitize" the tumour to radiation. This made radiation far more effective at killing cancer cells, both in the lab and in mice. 

In short: blocking DNA-PK made radiation therapy work better in hard-to-treat tumours. 

This is a potential breakthrough for children facing the deadliest forms of brain cancer. It opens the door to safer, more effective treatments that could: 

• Improve survival rates in kids with TP53-mutant medulloblastoma 

• Reduce the need for extremely high doses of radiation 

• Possibly benefit other aggressive brain tumours that emerge or change after relapse 

This research was made possible thanks in part to funding from Meagan Bebenek Foundation (MBF). MBF’s generous support helped power the lab work, tools, and team needed to uncover this promising path forward. By investing in cutting-edge science, MBF is directly contributing to new hope for children fighting brain cancer—today and in the future. 

“Because of MBF’s commitment, this study has brought the childhood cancer community one step closer to smarter, safer, and more effective treatments—giving more children a real chance not just to survive, but to thrive.”

– Dr. Vijay Ramaswamy, Paediatric Neuro-Oncologist and Senior Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children 

“This research represents exactly why we started Meagan Bebenek Foundation—to bring hope to families facing the unimaginable. Knowing that our support is helping to uncover smarter, more effective treatments for children with the most aggressive brain tumours is deeply meaningful. This is a step forward not just for the kids we know and love, but for the children yet to be diagnosed.” 

— Denise Bebenek, Founder, Meagan Bebenek Foundation