Brain Tumor Groups Issue Statement on the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium

Leaders in the pediatric brain tumor field from the National Brain Tumor Society, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and the Society for Neuro-Oncology have issued the following statement

---

“Recently, we were made aware of the decision by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to end funding for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC), an NCI-funded network of leading pediatric brain tumor researchers conducting early-phase clinical trials for potential new, much-needed therapies. 

“We are concerned about this decision, and we are still gathering facts to understand the reasoning and, most importantly, assess how this decision would impact research and new therapy development for pediatric brain tumors — the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. While HHS and NCI have provided an initial explanation, our groups have a number of outstanding questions and concerns that we’re actively seeking answers to. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that the vital brain tumor focus PBTC has had, and the capacity and funding it offers to the pediatric brain tumor research, continues. This includes preservation of data and the continued capacity for pediatric brain tumor researchers and clinicians to collaborate, coordinate, and fund early-phase clinical trials in this space. 

“We’ll provide further comment as we learn more about this situation.”

TAGGED WITH: pediatric brain tumor

---