Research Network Overview
Research Network Overview
- Clinical trial infrastructure in our pediatric hemato-oncology departments
Many years of experience in conducting phase I/II clinical trials.
About our work
About our work
In the Pediatric Early Clinical Trial EAST Network, eight pediatric oncology centers located in north-eastern Germany are associated to make new and innovative treatments available within clinical trials for children with relapsed or refractory cancer.
The Departments for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology of Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Klinikum Chemnitz gGmbH, Carl-Thiem-Klinikum gGmbH Cottbus, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, University Medicine Greifswald, University Hospital Leipzig AöR, University Medicine Rostock and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have to date joined the network so far.
The research network is part of the phase I/II clinical trial network of the Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH).
In these networks and associations we aim to improve therapy options for our pedriatic patients.
The background of our work
Prognosis for pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed tumor disease is unfavorable. Significant improvements in 5-year survival rates were achieved by optimizing intensifying chemotherapy concepts since the 1970s. However in the last two decades, the 5-year survival rats in most tumor entities have stagnated.
Advanced genetic characterization of tumor cells and activated signaling pathways reveal more and more targets for targeted antineoplastic therapy. The efficacy and value of these new therapies is currently poorly evaluated and requires testing in early phase clinical trials.
Pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed tumors are rare. In addition, this patient group is extremely heterogeneous with respect to genetic basis, diagnoses, and existing toxicity after first-line treatment. For this reason, clinical trials with a gain of knowledge for all participants are only possible in a multicenter setting.
In order to accelerate a gain of knowledge, optimally resulting in more effective therapies for all patients, eight pediatric oncology departments in north-eastern Germany decided to work together in conducting early phase clinical studies (phase I/II). The above-mentioned hospitals and university medical partners are thus actively living and shaping the tradition of study cooperation in the field of pediatric oncology.
Collaboration and Structure
Collaboration and Structure
Pharmaceutic industries or academic sponsors, respectively are welcome to send inquiries on clinical trials via e-mail address or to the centers representatives. Partner centers are in close contact with each other and information circulated within the network. In regulat conference calls, specific trials are discussed, centers within the network can articulate interest in conducting and participating in the trial, to identify an leading location center for the trial. Patients that wish or are advised to participate will be referred to this specific center within the network.
Representatives from the participating centers meet regularly to discuss current trials, recruitment, and challenges. Conference calls are scheduled between each meeting.
The network’s spokesperson is Dr. Anne Thorwarth.
Our Locations