Pediatric Cancer Models & Mechanisms Network
PCMM Governance and Scientific Oversight Committee:
Jason Berman, Sonia Cellot, Jennifer Chan, Kirsten Efremov, Jessica Hill, Tobias Karakach, Chris Maxwell, Callum Mullen, Emily Nakada, Sanja Rogic, Donna Senger, Anita Villani, and Franco Vizeacoumar
New and improved medicine and treatments options for pediatric cancers and blood disorders require robust pre-clinical studies that eventually translate into clinical trials. Currently, Canada lacks a formal research pipeline that systematically creates a link between exploratory and translational research. The creation, delivery and modification of these precise treatments requires unified, national access to molecular and cellular biology knowledge, technologies, and expertise that will better inform the patient’s diagnosis, influence their treatment, and support their long-term health.
The Pediatric Cancer Models & Mechanisms (PCMM) Network aims to streamline the research and technology pipeline for pediatric cancers in Canada. By building a national platform, the PCMM Network will connect pre-clinical researchers and clinical researchers from across Canada to answer prioritized research questions and accelerate a model for precision medicine.
Key Activities :
Establish a registry of experts in pre-clinical and clinical research that is accessible to all researchers and clinicians across Canada.
Utilize the registry to enable the formation of new research connections through a matching program.
Establish a formal pathway to submit prioritized research questions.
Support new connections and research projects that will directly impact treatment.
Canada is rich in expertise, technology, and knowledge in pediatric cancer biology and treatment. However, the Canadian research ecosystem is not uniformly distributed, which results in inequity in access across provincial and territorial authorities. Through the PCMM Network, the Cancer Biology theme will promote national access and collaborations between pre-clinical and clinical researchers, paving the way for the generation of pre-clinical data that support new early-phase clinical trials and foster innovation.
Moreover, for patients and families, the PCMM Network will facilitate more equitable access to pre-clinical innovation across provincial and territorial authorities within Canada.
For more information, please contact Emily Nakada or visit the PCMM Network.
PCMM Governance and Scientific Oversight Committee:
Jason Berman, Sonia Cellot, Jennifer Chan, Kirsten Efremov, Jessica Hill, Tobias Karakach, Chris Maxwell, Callum Mullen, Emily Nakada, Sanja Rogic, Donna Senger, Anita Villani, and Franco Vizeacoumar