Introduction

PTEN Research is a UK charity that supports global research to develop targeted treatments for PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome (PHTS), a rare genetic condition caused by a change to the PTEN gene which increases the likelihood of developing malignant tumours.

Call objectives

Funding can support clinical research studies, interventional clinical trials, preclinical/translational research projects and, where appropriate, basic research projects to compare drugs, test key concepts and collect patient data to support clinical efforts.

Call options

PTEN Research predominantly supports the following areas of research:

• Clinically testing therapies to treat PHTS symptoms - Focusing on assessing the rapalog drug class to develop treatment options for specific symptoms of PHTS which may bring meaningful benefit to patients.
• Identifying new therapy options for PHTS - The charity is also exploring alternative therapy options to rapalogs, and is interested in the development of in vitro and in vivo models of PHTS to identify such alternative. This will support research to identify and/or validate cellular drug targets with the aim of generating evidence to justify clinical testing.
• Improving outcomes for people with PHTS who develop cancer - Improving the understanding of the risk of cancer in PHTS, and how those with PHTS who develop cancer respond to currently available cancer treatments. This also entails investigating ways to improve the screening and detection of malignancies in PHTS.
• Improving understanding of PHTS - Supporting research to address key unknowns of PHTS relating to its pathobiology, complete clinical spectrum, epidemiology, and the unmet need.

Budget

Funding is intended to support all essential direct costs relating to the project, including staffing, consumables, equipment, travel and publication costs. Applicants are invited to submit budgets for their proposed research.

Eligibility

There are no geographical restrictions on applications.

Grants are generally awarded to Principal Investigators (PIs) who hold an MD or PhD and have an established research programme in a recognised academic or clinical research institution.

Non-academic entities may also be eligible to apply for grant funding depending on the grant call.

Application

For targeted calls, applications should be made in line with requirements detailed for the specific call. There are no opportunities currently open.

For the innovation awards, applicants should submit a short application form to research@ptenresearch.org or discuss their proposal with the Foundation directly. Project proposal applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Only projects that represent exceptional research opportunities that are aligned with the Foundation's research strategy will be invited to submit a full grant application. Full applications will be subject to internal review, external peer review, SAB and Trustee review. Timelines associated with the review of applications will be provided upon submission of grant applications.

In case of interest, please contact lnorton(ELIMINAR)@fsjd.org