Advancing Childhood Cancer Research: A Conversation with Dr. Brigitte Widemann
Research news (Sept 14, 2026): In an NCI Q&A for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Brigitte C. Widemann, MD, highlighted recent pediatric oncology advances and infrastructure efforts. She cited an NCI-supported Children’s Oncology Group phase 3 trial in newly diagnosed B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in which adding blinatumomab to chemotherapy substantially improved disease-free survival by reducing relapses. She also noted FDA approval of atezolizumab for adults and children ≥2 years with advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma, based on an NCI-led ~50-patient trial.
Advancing Childhood Cancer Research: Q&A with Dr. Brigitte Widemann (NCI)
Type: Research news (not a new regulatory action)
Date: September 14, 2026
In a Q&A published during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Brigitte C. Widemann, MD (Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI Center for Cancer Research; Special Advisor to the NCI Director for Childhood Cancer) discussed advances and priorities in pediatric oncology research.
Highlighted evidence and examples
- Newly diagnosed B-cell ALL: Dr. Widemann pointed to an NCI-supported Children’s Oncology Group phase 3 trial reporting that adding blinatumomab to chemotherapy substantially improved disease-free survival, largely through reducing relapses. She said this is changing initial treatment for many children with this disease.
- Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS): She referenced atezolizumab for this ultra-rare cancer, noting an NCI-led trial enrolling ~50 patients (including children treated through NCI’s intramural program) that led the FDA to approve atezolizumab for adults and children ages 2 and older with advanced disease.
Research infrastructure themes Dr. Widemann emphasized sustained federal investment given pediatric rarity and described NCI efforts such as the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI) and the Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI), which provides eligible patients at COG-affiliated hospitals no-cost tumor characterization at diagnosis, returns clinically relevant results in 2–3 weeks, and makes deidentified data available for research.