CanToo highlights the impact of its research funding through the work of Dr Holly Holliday, an early and emerging researcher addressing one of the most devastating childhood brain cancers, diffuse midline glioma.
Diffuse midline glioma is an aggressive, currently incurable brain cancer that primarily affects young children. With no effective treatments, families facing a diagnosis confront an unimaginable reality. Research like Holly’s is critical to changing that future.
A bold idea, backed early
Holly, a cell and molecular biologist at the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, received support from CanToo to investigate a largely unexplored area of cancer biology: how changes in gene regulation may drive the growth of diffuse midline glioma.
Her project - Investigating histone citrullination as a novel epigenetic driver in diffuse midline glioma - focused on understanding how specific molecular changes influence the activation and silencing of cancer-promoting genes.
Support from the CanToo community enabled this high-potential research at a critical stage - when early and emerging researchers are building momentum and when bold ideas need backing.
A new discovery in how brain tumours grow
Through this work, Holly and her team uncovered a mechanism that may help explain how diffuse midline gliomas grow and survive.
They found that enzymes, known as PADs (peptidylarginine deiminases), are highly active in these tumours. These enzymes modify histones - the proteins around which DNA wraps - altering chromatin structure in ways that can influence whether cancer-driving genes are switched on or off.
This research adds to emerging evidence that this form of gene regulation may play an important role in diffuse midline glioma, opening new avenues for investigation.
From discovery to potential treatments
Importantly, this work has already yielded promising early insights.
Holly’s team demonstrated that:
- Histones modified by PAD enzymes may play a key role in controlling which genes are switched on and off in diffuse midline glioma cells
- In laboratory models, drugs targeting PAD enzymes may slow the growth of diffuse midline glioma cells
- Initial findings suggest these approaches may be tolerated in preclinical animal models, though further testing is needed
- Ongoing research is focused on improving how these therapies can reach the brain and progress toward clinical testing
Although still at an early stage, these findings mark a meaningful step towards identifying new therapeutic strategies.
Investing in people, not just projects
The impact of CanToo’s funding extends beyond the laboratory.
This grant has supported Holly’s development as a research leader, enabling her to:
- Build and lead a research team
- Mentor the next generation of scientists
- Strengthen her ability to secure additional national and international funding.
Holly has also shared her work widely at international childhood brain cancer conferences, helping accelerate global collaboration in this field.
Why this matters - now more than ever
Brain cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in children. For families affected by diffuse midline glioma, the need for new treatments is urgent.
Holly’s research is a powerful example of how early investment can unlock new ideas, accelerate discovery, and move us closer to real-world impact.
Looking ahead
The next phase of this research will evaluate PAD-targeting therapies in preclinical models to assess whether they can extend survival. If successful, this could pave the way for early-phase clinical trials in children with diffuse midline glioma.
For the children and families who need it most, this represents hope grounded in science.
Driving progress together
Breakthroughs like this are only possible through collective effort.
By supporting early and emerging researchers like Holly, CanToo is helping to turn promising ideas into tangible progress - bringing us closer to better treatments and brighter futures for children with brain cancer.
Thank you for supporting CanToo. We really do rely on people like you to help fund cancer researchers in Australia, like Dr Holly Holliday.
To make a donation to support our work, please click here.
