February 10, 2014

EU rules are denying children new cancer drugs

Current EU rules do not incentivise pharmaceutical companies to test cancer drugs in children, even though some childhood cancers have similar genetic and biochemical properties to some adult cancers.  Children with cancer are missing out on potentially effective treatments, because pharma companies can gain exemptions from testing cancer drugs in cancer patients under the age of 18.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR), is calling for changes to the current system in the EU, to encourage pharma companies to test more of their drugs in children.

• Why are exemptions being granted to avoid trials of cancer treatments in children?
• What action needs to be taken now to allow more cancer drugs to be developed for under 18s?
• What challenges face researchers in developing new cancer treatments for children?
• Which treatments developed for adult cancers might be effective in children?

Speakers:

Professor Alan Ashworth, Chief Executive, The Institute of Cancer Research, London

Professor Gilles Vassal, President of the Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer consortium and Head of Clinical Research, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France

Dr Louis Chesler, Team Leader in Paediatric Solid Tumour Biology and Therapeutics, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and Honorary Consultant, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust