Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital Joins Pediatric Research Network
Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital proudly announces its membership in the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN), a significant collaboration aimed at enhancing pediatric research for brain and central nervous system tumors.
Advancing Care for Young Patients
Dr. Samuel Cheshier, a pediatric neurosurgeon at the hospital, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital is excited to join with the Children's Brain Tumor Network to advance care for children and young adults diagnosed with brain and central nervous system tumors." His colleague, Dr. Nicholas Whipple, a pediatric neuro-oncologist, added, "We’re grateful to join with other CBTN member institutions as we work to improve the standard of care for children and their families, particularly in the Intermountain West region."
Collective Efforts in Research
As part of this collaboration, Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital will contribute consented samples of childhood tissue aimed at unraveling the complexities of brain tumor biology. To maintain privacy, each sample undergoes a deidentification process before it is genetically sequenced. This step transforms tissue samples into data that is invaluable for researchers across the globe.
Collaboration within CBTN is crucial, as it allows multiple institutions to gather enough samples, which no single entity could accomplish alone. This partnership fosters effective treatments that could significantly impact young patients suffering from these difficult conditions.
Significant Impact on Research and Clinical Trials
Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital plays a vital role in the pediatric specialty sector, affiliated with the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. The hospital sees over 100 newly diagnosed children with brain and central nervous system tumors each year. Currently, the facility hosts more than 1,000 active studies, inclusive of around 250 clinical trials, which are actively recruiting participants.
Among its pediatric neuro-oncology and neurosurgery services, the hospital boasts 48 IRB-approved clinical trials open for enrollment, offering hope and innovative treatment options for many families.
Welcome from CBTN Leadership
Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD, MAS, Co-Executive Chair of CBTN, welcomed Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital into the fold. She stated, "We extend a warm welcome to Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital as a new CBTN member institution. Their expertise in clinical trial management and commitment to interdisciplinary research significantly enhance our ability to create better futures for the children we treat."
About the Children's Brain Tumor Network
The Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) is a cooperative research initiative designed to speed up the development of treatment options for children afflicted with brain tumors. Comprising 34 member institutions globally, CBTN has enrolled over 7,700 study participants and collected more than 78,000 biospecimen samples. This extensive repository of childhood brain tumors stands as one of the most comprehensive in the world.
Additionally, CBTN facilitates real-time collaboration among researchers, harnessing advanced informatics and analytics platforms to further support children diagnosed with brain tumors.
Contact Information
For inquiries regarding the Children's Brain Tumor Network, please reach out to Bobby Moulder. You can find more details about CBTN’s initiatives and ongoing research efforts through their official contact channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aim of the partnership between Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital and CBTN?
The partnership aims to enhance pediatric research and improve treatment options for children with brain and CNS tumors.
Who are the principal investigators at Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital?
Dr. Samuel Cheshier, a pediatric neurosurgeon, and Dr. Nicholas Whipple, a pediatric neuro-oncologist are leading the research efforts.
How does CBTN ensure patient privacy when using tissue samples?
CBTN deidentifies each tissue sample before genetic sequencing to protect the child’s identity.
What is the role of Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in clinical trials?
The hospital actively participates in nearly 250 clinical trials, helping to find effective treatments for pediatric patients.
How many institutions are part of the Children's Brain Tumor Network?
There are currently 34 international member institutions involved in the CBTN.
