Pediatric Glioma Research

We play a central role in organizing the international precision oncology program for relapsed malignancies in children (INFORM) by overseeing molecular analysis and real-time data interpretation. This provides access to comprehensive molecular profiles and rapid drug screening for high-risk pediatric cancer patients across Europe. The INFORM network spans 13 European countries, is active in over 100 pediatric oncology research centers and has enrolled more than 3,300 relapsed or refractory pediatric cancer patients, almost half of whom come from international partners. The first clinical response analysis showed a survival benefit for patients with high-priority targets who received appropriate treatments. The program has also successfully integrated a platform for creating personalized ex vivo drug sensitivity profiles in real-world settings and provides functional data for clinical decision making. Significant strides have been made in improving the logistics, methodology, and efficacy of personalized diagnosis and treatment. These include the transition to high-resolution whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as a new standard for molecular diagnostics. Importantly, this routine analysis is reimbursed by German health insurance providers and is helping to establish similar sequencing and screening platforms in other countries.

Low-grade brain tumors are the most common type of CNS tumor in children, accounting for about half of all brain tumors in children. In Germany and the UK, over 400 children and adolescents are diagnosed each year. These tumors arise from DNA alterations that cause uncontrolled cell growth in the brain or spinal cord. Although they grow slowly and are unlikely to spread, their treatment is challenging due to their location and often results in long-term health issues.
 

The Everest Center for Low-Grade Pediatric Brain Tumors – a collaboration between research groups in Berlin, Jena, London and Heidelberg (KiTZ & DKFZ) – is dedicated to advancing understanding and developing new treatments. Established in 2017, the center is funded by The Brain Tumor Charity and has raised 12 million euros (10 million pounds) thanks to the inspiring Everest in the Alps fundraising campaign.
 

A close partnership with Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute strengthens the research effort and ensures that discoveries reach young patients. In addition, the project focuses on improving quality of life by tracking individual patients' experiences over time using advanced technologies.
 

The Everest Center's name honors an extraordinary fundraising effort inspired by Toby, a young patient. Since 2015, a dedicated team of skiers has crossed the Alps, overcoming a vertical equivalent to Mount Everest (8,848m), and raised over £10 million for research. Their commitment is invaluable – on behalf of all affected families, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to them!

more information can be found here

The Dietmar Hopp Foundation is supporting to set up an international clinical "data depot" at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) under the direction of David Jones and Stefan Pfister. This project aims to create the basis for children and adolescents to benefit quickly from cancer drugs already approved for adults.

By collecting and integrating clinical data from various international sources, the "data repository" aims to accelerate access to more effective therapies with fewer side effects for young cancer patients. This will enable existing drugs to be used more quickly for the treatment of children and adolescents without having to wait for lengthy development processes for new drugs.

In addition to the "data depot", the research and development of innovative treatment methods is also supported in order to improve the chances of recovery and quality of life for young patients.

MNP Int-R is a continuation and follow-up study of MNP 2.0, which established the use of DNA methylation signatures as part of an integrated histological and molecular classification to improve the accuracy of pediatric brain tumor diagnoses at initial diagnosis. This initiative paved the way for the incorporation of molecular diagnostics, including DNA methylation profiling and targeted gene panel sequencing, into routine diagnostics for primary CNS tumors in children and adolescents. Integrated reference analysis is helping to identify previously unknown tumor types and subtypes, reveal their biological relationships, and classify rare molecularly defined tumor entities. Further refinement and training of the DNA methylation-based classification system improves molecular diagnostics and shapes the design of future therapeutic trials, advancing personalized precision treatments and novel targeted therapy approaches. By integrating pathological, radiological and molecular data into a comprehensive tumor diagnosis, MNP Int-R aims to maintain high diagnostic standards in an international setting and to significantly influence clinical disease management. Furthermore, ongoing data collection will further refine diagnostic accuracy and treatment strategies.