CBTN

CBTN Revolutionizes Pediatric Cancer Research with RADIANT Project

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Imagine a world where every child battling cancer has access to real-time, personalized treatment options. This groundbreaking vision is now closer than ever, thanks to a recent ~$10 million award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to the Center for Data Driven Discovery in Biomedicine (D3b), operations home of the Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). ARPA-H, a healthcare innovation agency, is driving transformative medical advancements to tackle complex health problems. CBTN member institutions will participate in the development of this new program on several fronts, including data contribution and use as well as applications for personalized medicine.

Breaking Down Barriers for Faster Discoveries

Pediatric cancer and rare disease research often face significant challenges: fragmented data, siloed research teams, and limited incentives for sharing information. Critical patient data remains scattered across hospitals and institutions. That’s where the “Real-time Analysis and Discovery in Integrated And Networked Technologies” (RADIANT) project steps in.

RADIANT will develop a secure, cloud-based, real-time data-sharing and analytics platform to overcome these barriers and accelerate impactful discoveries. By leveraging this platform, researchers and clinicians can gain unprecedented access to critical insights, transforming the understanding and treatment of pediatric cancers and rare diseases. The project empowers clinicians to integrate valuable data into real-time decision-making, enhancing precision medicine for children.

Collaboration is Key to Success

The RADIANT project builds on a foundation of collaboration—a hallmark of the Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN). The initiative leverages the extensive patient data collected through the CBTN global network of over 34 healthcare systems and thousands of patients and families worldwide. This collaborative framework ensures that the project benefits from diverse expertise and expansive datasets.

Key partnerships play a pivotal role in the success of RADIANT. The Pacific Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) joins forces with CBTN along with the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occuring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project to establish an integrated clinical trial research framework. International collaborators, such as investigators at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, enhance precision medicine platforms for data management and visualization. Technological partners like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mulesoft, Kno2, HealthShare Exchange (HSX), and Flywheel provide essential tools for computation, data integration, and rapid exchange across hospitals.

This collaboration-driven approach exemplifies the potential of uniting diverse stakeholders to revolutionize pediatric cancer research, bringing life-changing cures closer to reality.

What Does This Mean for Children Facing Cancer?

RADIANT has the potential to transform pediatric cancer research in several groundbreaking ways:

  • Artificial Intelligence: The development of advanced AI tools specifically for healthcare enables faster and more accurate diagnoses.
  • Federated Learning: Local data can seamlessly integrate into broader research ecosystems, expediting treatment decisions tailored to individual patients.
  • National Infrastructure: A secure national data infrastructure will facilitate interoperability between platforms, fostering collaboration across institutions.

By enabling real-time discoveries and improving treatment outcomes, RADIANT aims to unlock a new era of personalized care. This means tailoring treatment plans to each child’s unique needs, offering hope and a brighter future for families facing the challenges of pediatric cancers and rare diseases.

A Shared Vision for a Brighter Future

Led by Dr. Jay Storm, Dr. Adam Resnick, and Dr. Allison Heath, their combined expertise in big data and collaborative research drives the creation of transformative national networks that enhance patient care.

RADIANT represents a significant milestone for pediatric cancer research. By harnessing the power of data collaboration and cutting-edge technology, RADIANT holds the promise of faster diagnoses, better treatments, and a brighter future for children with cancer. Together, we are paving the way toward a world where every child has access to the personalized care they deserve.