“We need to think smarter and develop better therapies that are more targeted against brain cancer,” says Dr Nick Gottardo, Head of Brain Tumour Research Program at Telethon Kids’ Institute in Western Australia.
The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to be associated with smart thinking having partnered with six research institutions to help children diagnosed with this most lethal type of cancer.
“We’re currently supporting six projects directly and indirectly helping children with brain cancer,” said Owen Finegan, Chief Executive of The Kids’ Cancer Project.
“One focuses on Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) led by Dr David Ziegler in Sydney and two are focusing on Medulloblastoma in Brisbane and Perth. Both types of cancer have very few treatment options and the projects we support are investigating better ways to treat the disease,” said Owen.
Dr Nick Gottardo’s two year research project into Medulloblastoma at the Telethon Institute aims to make chemotherapy treatment effective from the start, particularly in difficult to treat areas like the brain.
“The best chance we have to cure children with this is when they receive treatment for the first time. We cannot wait for the cancer to relapse,” said Dr Gottardo.
May is Brain Cancer Awareness Month and The Kids’ Cancer Project is proud to support these innovative research projects. Brain cancer kills more children than any other type of cancer and 140 people aged 0-24 are diagnosed annually in Australia.
“These are truly deadly diseases. We need to support research to help these kids and their families. We rely on community support and it’s by all of us working together to support these leading scientists that any progress into brain cancer will be made.”
Research, it’s the only way,” concluded Owen.
ABOUT BRAIN CANCER
Often brain tumours and cancers are grouped in to what are also known as Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumours which include all cancers of the brain and spinal cord.
CNS Tumours include: Astrocytomas, Craniopharyngioma, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), Ependymoma, Germ Cell Tumours, Gliomas, PNET tumours – Medulloblastoma and Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour (AT/RT).
CNS tumours are difficult to treat due to the Blood to Brain Barrier. The Brain is the only organ that has its own security system, this security system allows essential nutrients to the brain and blocks toxins or infections that would go through the vascular system.
Unfortunately, this barrier also prevents life-saving drugs like chemotherapy drugs from getting to a brain tumour. As a result, there are limited options for patients and other treatments are needed to fight the cancer like radiation therapy and invasive surgeries.[1]
Read more about our research projects
[1] http://www.brainfacts.org/brain-basics/neuroanatomy/articles/2014/blood-brain-barrier