Projects we fund

Overview

Although there are a growing number of research groups starting to focus on drug delivery techniques for adult cancers, using similar techniques to treat childhood brain tumours presents different challenges. Children with Cancer UK sponsored a drug delivery workshop led by Professor David Walker (pictured above), and are now funding this international consortium which aims to draw global attention to the need to develop treatments suitable for children, and to find ways to ensure future research is supported by funders, industry and regulators. We’ve funded the Consortium for two years, during which it will work closely and collaboratively with relevant charities and not-for-profit organisations in the international brain tumour community, to meet the needs of children with brain tumours. Very few experimental therapies have overcome the drug resistance associated with systemic therapy. In contrast, drug delivery strategies which seek to bypass the BBB have been used successfully in other tumour types and are currently showing significant responses in otherwise highly resistant tumours; for example interstitial infusional therapy for adult diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), and Gliadel® wafers for high grade glioma (HGG). Successful development of drug delivery systems doesn’t just rely on the right drugs. To find safe, effective ways of bypassing the BBB, doctors and scientists will need to work with experts in other areas – such as engineering and medical technology, as well as collaborating with commercial and healthcare partners to bring innovative new systems into hospitals where children can be treated.

Potential impact

This exciting project is the first time that there has ever been global co-ordination of a paediatric brain tumour drug delivery consortium. By sharing knowledge, experience and resources, we will accelerate the progress of research into new drug delivery systems to bring hope to children and their families. We aim to develop tailored drug delivery systems applicable to childhood brain tumours that potentially offer major advances in treatment, and crucially with minimal toxicity to reduce the side effects and give children better quality of life as well as improved chances of survival. The consortium will help scientists in different research centres around the world understand where the most urgent clinical needs are, and provide a central point for anyone interested in developing new treatment methods – from doctors and scientists to drug companies. By joining forces, we will be in a better position to make collaborative funding applications, ultimately to include programme grants, and will strengthen our existing relationships between consortium members, funding bodies and national/international symposia organisers. This gives us a real opportunity to influence priority grant calls and conference sessions relating to drug delivery for childhood brain tumours. The consortium also plans to offer/promote more opportunities for future researchers to be trained in specific aspects of drug delivery research; for example, through short placements at specific institutions.