Immunotherapy Experts Gather to Tackle DIPG

Immunotherapy researchers from across the globe gathered in Zurich, Switzerland, on August 7-8, 2019, for a first-of-its-kind meeting on the role of immunotherapy in treating DIPG and DMG. The working meeting, sponsored by Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation and organized by the DIPG Center of Expertise Zurich (DCEz), was a gathering of researchers working together to explore and develop a path forward to apply immunotherapy treatments to DIPG and DMG.

“The invited team represented physicians, scientists, and clinical trialists. We need all three areas of expertise to experiment, validate, and translate the knowledge,” explains Javad Nazarian, PhD, MSC, head of the DIPG Research Institute of DCEz and member of the Defeat DIPG Scientific Advisory Council, “This meeting was the first of such focused meetings and we hope that more like-minded colleagues will join to help in making a difference.” 

Over the past two years, Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation and The ChadTough Foundation, with their chapters and partner families, have made immunotherapy research initiatives a priority and have awarded $500,000 in Defeat DIPG ChadTough Grants to support promising immunotherapy studies.

“Immune-therapeutic approaches have achieved significant breakthroughs for specific adults cancers as well as leukemia; however, successful implementation of immunotherapy for patients with brain tumors – specifically for children with one of the deadliest tumors referred to as DIPG – remains under active investigation,” says Sabine Mueller, MD, PhD, Head of the Clinical Programme of the DCEz and pediatric neuro-oncologist at University of California – San Francisco, “Leading experts will be gathered in this Think Tank to outline a roadmap how to best move immunotherapy approaches forward in children with brain tumors.”

Dr. Nazarian adds, “The meeting would not have happened without the support of Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation.  The idea of having such a meeting was born just this Spring and the foundation immediately volunteered to support the meeting.  This is a classic example of foundations helping to push the science forward, because they know how little time these children have.”

DCEz, which is a part of the University Children’s Hospital of Zurich and supported with funds by the Eliminate Cancer Initiative, focuses on finding novel ways of treating of DIPG and DMG by researching different drug delivery pathways, combining multiple drugs into a combined therapy, and marrying the best of medical and scientific knowledge bases. The center is hoping to offer new treatments and treatment options to those suffering from DIPG and DMG.

Keep up with what’s going on at the DIPG/DMG Immunotherapy Meeting on Defeat DIPG’s social media accounts (@DefeatDIPG).