Established in 2017 by the Australian Government with philanthropic and industry partners, the Australian Brain Cancer Mission (ABCM) seeks to double survival rates and improve quality of life for people living with brain cancer by 2027 through coordinated national research efforts and expanded access to clinical trials. Under this mission, ANZCHOG received targeted funding to enhance Australia’s capacity to open and lead international paediatric brain cancer clinical trials, exceeding initial targets and strengthening research infrastructure.
CoACT: Brain Cancer unites 77 investigators from over 30 institutions specialising in childhood brain cancer clinical trials, preclinical research, diagnosis, survivorship, QoL, neuropsychology, radiation oncology, AYA, consumer advocacy, and bioinformatics.
It will leverage ANZCHOG’s established expertise and international collaborations to ensure all Australian children with brain cancers have access to innovative clinical trials. The consortium will integrate efforts across five key themes.
The Australian Paediatric Brain Cancer Pre-Clinical Research Network, led by Dr Raelene Enders and Dr Mat Dun, works in the lab to understand brain cancer better.
By studying how these cancers behave and testing new ideas, the network helps identify new treatment targets and provides the evidence needed to develop better clinical trials for children.
ANZCHOG is establishing a national research network to accelerate the development of new treatments for children’s brain cancers. This includes creating a shared collection of tumour models, developing more accurate laboratory systems that reflect how these cancers behave, and coordinating national efforts to test new and less toxic therapies before they reach clinical trials.
Led by Dr Nick Gottardo, Dr Jordan Hansford, and Dr David Ziegler, this platform helps design and run clinical trials for children with brain cancer.
Using ANZCHOG’s established systems and connections with international partners, it gives Australian children access to innovative treatments. The platform aims to fill treatment gaps, support new research, and make it faster and easier to bring global discoveries into care here at home.
Using ANZCHOG’s established systems and connections with international partners, it gives Australian children access to innovative treatments. The platform aims to fill treatment gaps, support new research, and make it faster and easier to bring global discoveries into care here at home.
Led by Dr Tom Walwyn and Kim Wark , this theme uses real-world data to improve care for children with cancer.
Through new projects, including a proof of concept project that automatically collects information from medical records, we aim to learn more from treatments and outcomes in Australia and internationally to make future care and trials better.
Led by Dr Sophie Jessop and Dr Maria Kirby, focuses on making clinical trials fair and easier to join for all families.
Using telehealth and community engagement, we aim to reach children and young people who might face extra barriers, including those from culturally diverse backgrounds, First Nations communities, and regional areas. By listening to these communities, we can identify the most important research needs and make sure trials are more inclusive for everyone.
Led by Dr Cinzia De Luca and Dr Maria McCarthy, this theme looks at how brain cancer treatment can affect a child’s thinking, memory, emotions, and everyday life.
By using consistent checks and assessments across all stages of care, we can better understand what helps children feel and do well during treatment and after. Collecting this information in one place also helps us improve clinical trials and make care even better for future families.
Providing strategic leadership, governance, and oversight.
Providing scientific and operational oversight for the projects and research/trial concepts.
Ensuring financial sustainability, oversight, and prudent risk management.
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