NEW CENTRE FOCUSED ON DEADLY CHILDHOOD TUMOURS

Brain Tumour Research has announced £2.5 million funding to help find a cure for the deadliest of all childhood cancers.

The grant is being awarded to The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), Sutton, Surrey, where a team of scientists led by Professor Chris Jones will form our fourth Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence.

The Centre has ambitious plans to identify new treatments for high-grade glioma brain tumours –which include those previously known as brain stem glioma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) – occurring in children and young adults. It will act as a crucial bridge connecting worldwide research and analysing findings which will help inform and enable the setting up of much-needed clinical trials.

Dr Karen Noble, our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation, said: “The aim is that this work will lead to trials within the next five years so we can give real hope to families in the future. The current situation means that people, already facing the most distressing circumstances, often have no option but to search for and fund trials abroad with all the expense, upheaval and uncertainty that brings.

“It is crucial that attention is focused on this most deadly of childhood cancers. We are grateful to our loyal supporters whose commitment and hard work has made this milestone possible. But we need the Government to step up and not rely so much on investment from charities.”

The team will lead the way in scientific research into paediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma (PDHGG) brain tumours such as high-grade diffuse-midline glioma, including DIPG.

PDHGG fact f

•PDHGG are a collection of high-grade glioma tumours which include diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and other high-grade gliomas (HGG)

•They affect children and young adults with an extremely poor clinical outcome

•For some subtypes less than 5% of patients survive more than two years

•Median survival for the vast majority of patients affected by these tumours is just nine to 18 months tumours. Improving outcomes for children with these types of tumour is crucial if we are to make progress and bring much-needed hope to so many.”

Prof Jones said: “These tumours are incredibly resistant to current treatments and children are in desperate need of new options.

“Our lab is working day in, day out to unravel the underlying biology of these dreadful tumours, and hopefully uncover new ways to attack them. This invaluable support from Brain Tumour Research will help to fuel new discoveries and pave the way to smarter, kinder treatments for children.”

Your continued support has enabled us to reach this milestone in our mission to establish a network of seven sustainable Centres of Excellence across the UK. Thank you for everything you do.

There is still much more to be done. Please help us continue our vital work to find a cure for all types of brain tumours by donating what you can or setting up a regular donation today: www.braintumourresearch.org/donate-now