Charles River offers clients new database for pediatric oncology research

This collection represents ‘critical’ models for research, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act, requires all oncology drugs to be tested for pediatric indications ahead of approval.

Additionally, the EU regulation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is currently being adapted to mirror the FDA’s regulations.

The ITCC-P4 repertoire offers access to models that are relevant to pediatric cancer, allowing researchers to appropriately investigate targets of interest.

Pediatric tumors have different genomic drivers and phenotypes than adult tumors, requiring unique preclinical models.

The ITCC-P4 collection is supported by an accompanying dataset consisting of molecular phenotyping and pharmacological characterization backed-up by expertise from expert pediatricians.

By offering this collection, the company is combining decades of oncology research experience with a ‘powerful tool’ that it claims will help guide critical investigative decisions.

Aidan Synnott, corporate vice president, global discovery services at Charles River, said: “Globally, 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer each year, and approximately one in four cannot be cured with currently available therapies.

"The ITCC-P4 collection is comprehensive, relevant, and well-characterized, meaning we can better assess the safety and efficacy of new oncology treatments specifically for children. This will ultimately lead to new treatment options for a critically important patient population.”

Julia Schüler, research director and therapeutic area lead, oncology at Charles River, added: “Charles River worked on 84 percent of the FDA-approved cancer therapies over the last five years and has delivered 16 oncology candidates to our partners. We are uniquely positioned to help researchers navigate through these new guidelines and progress their studies.”