Myoepithelial Carcinoma Biology & EWSR1 Orphan Cancers Drug Discovery Program

The goals of this multi-year research program aim to answer the fundamental questions about Myoepithelial Carcinoma (MEC) biology and treatments. MEC is a rare cancer of children, teenagers and adults that can arise from the salivary glands, kidney and sometimes from soft tissue like muscle. Due to the absolute rarity of this cancer, there is a biological lack of understanding of this disease and no treatment options specific to MEC currently exist. cc-TDI is looking to change that.
 
Specifically, cc-TDI scientists are interested in further understanding the mutations fusing the EWSR1 gene to another gene in MEC. The EWSR1-KLF15 gene fusion, and related gene fusions, are believed to be responsible for the development and progression of this disease. Through the development of a biobank registry, sequencing effort, cell line & mouse model resource, and EWSR1-KLF15 biology program, this project aims to offer resources that will be used by scientists around the world working to discover treatment options for MEC with the EWSR1- KLF15 fusion.
 
This work is being conducted in honor of Sebastián, who at the age of two and a half has been battling MEC since 2021. Thank you to Sebastián’s parents, Michael and Naomi, whose love, support, and advocacy continues to advance this research.