CHOP Researchers Join Global Team to Take on Solid Tumors in Children

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Four researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) are part of a world-class research team that will receive $25 million to study solid tumors in children. John M. Maris, MD, Patrick J. Grohar, MD, PhD, Nikolaos G. Sgourakis, PhD, and Mark Yarmarkovich, PhD will work with an international team of researchers led by Children’s National Hospital and University College London to develop novel immunotherapy treatments for children with solid cancers.

The funding comes from Cancer Grand Challenges, a global funding platform co-founded by Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute in the U.S., which brings together research teams from across the globe to tackle some of cancer’s toughest challenges.

Through their research, the team hopes to build a much deeper understanding of childhood cancers and develop and optimize novel therapies for children with solid tumors, ultimately hoping to improve survival and diminish the lifelong toxicities often experienced by survivors.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this talented team as we work together on the common vision of improving and extending the lives of children diagnosed with cancer,” said Dr. Maris, a pediatric oncologist at CHOP and Giulio D'Angio Chair in Neuroblastoma Research.

“Cancer Grand Challenges provides an extremely exciting opportunity to integrate parallel strategies in addressing the most difficult problems in the field,” added Dr. Yarmarkovich.

The team, called NexTGen, brings together scientists and clinicians with expertise in immunology, proteomics, mathematics, and other scientific specialties from eight institutions across the U.S., UK, and France. Co-funded by Cancer Research UK, the National Cancer Institute, and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, the group aims to bring new treatments to children with solid cancers. The team is one of four that, combined, will receive a total of $100 million to take on some of the toughest challenges in cancer research.

Learn more about the Cancer Grand Challenges award in this press release from Children’s National Hospital.

Contact: Jennifer Lee, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 267-426-6084 or leej41@chop.edu


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