Pediatric Brain Cancer Trial Group to Be Phased Out

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has announced the phasing out of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC), a network of hospitals and cancer centers that have been conducting early-stage clinical trials for new treatments for pediatric brain cancers. This decision comes as a result of the shifting priorities of the NCI, which aims to streamline its research portfolio and focus on more promising areas of cancer research. The PBTC has played a crucial role in the development of new therapies for children with brain cancer, a devastating disease that has seen limited progress in treatment options. The consortium's work has been instrumental in testing and evaluating novel drugs and treatment approaches, providing hope for families and patients affected by this condition. The discontinuation of the PBTC's federal funding will likely have a significant impact on the availability of early-phase trials for pediatric brain cancer patients, potentially limiting their access to experimental therapies. The NCI has stated that it will work to ensure a smooth transition and explore alternative funding sources to maintain the important work of the consortium.