A clinical trial to treat young children 

These cancers are among the most serious in early childhood. They progress rapidly, current treatments are intensive, and survival rates remain unfortunately low. In some cases, children receive radiation therapy, a treatment that can cause serious side effects on development and cognitive abilities, as their brains are still extremely fragile. 

Co-led by Dr. Annie Huang, Dr. Sylvia Cheng, and Dr. Lucie Lafay-Cousin, DECRYPT-BABYBRAIN is testing an innovative approach: chemotherapy administered directly into the fluid surrounding the brain and spine, combined with low-dose oral chemotherapy. The goal is to effectively treat the disease while reducing or delaying radiation therapy, to better protect young children. 

This trial was made possible thanks to the DECRYPT grant, jointly funded by the CRS and its partners: Kindred Foundation, Phoebe Rose Rocks Foundation, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, The Miracle Marnie Foundation, Childhood Cancer Canada, and Tali’s Fund. United by a shared vision, these organizations pooled their resources to support advanced research with a real impact on young patients. Since then, new partners have joined, including the ACCESS network, enabling the trial to expand nationwide. 

Start of the trial: high hopes for families 

Today, the first five children have already been able to join the trial, and several more are expected to follow in the coming weeks. For their families, who often face a sense of urgency and a lack of options, this milestone represents a real ray of hope. The trial is now open at several hospitals across Canada, including SickKids in Toronto, BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, CHU Sainte-Justine in Montreal, and London Health Sciences Centre in London, with additional sites expected to join soon. 

Thanks to the commitment of the CRS and the generosity of its donors, it is possible to invest in bold research like DECRYPT-BABYBRAIN, projects that push the boundaries of science and offer real opportunities to people affected by the disease.