NexTGen has been formulated to address the complex Cancer Grand Challenge of solid tumours in children. NexTGen aims to create new generation engineered T-cell therapies for children with solid cancers. Central to the work is the launch of three early phase clinical trials – one in the UK and two in the USA. They will initially focus on rhabdomyosarcoma, ewings sarcoma and aggressive brain tumours.

“Our vision is that CAR T-cell therapy for solid childhood cancers will be at the frontline within a decade, improving outcomes for children with the poorest prognosis and mitigating the toxicities of our current standard of care.”

Dr Martin Pule, Co-Lead, University College London. 

Cancer is a leading cause of death by disease in children worldwide. Although, survival has increased for some paediatric cancers, such as blood cancers, progress treating solid tumours has stalled over the last 40 years. Outcomes remain the same with prognosis at the point of relapse having dismal odds of survival. Current treatments involve old, generic treatment protocols and chemotherapy drugs mostly created in the 1960s. These treatments also lead to severe long-term health complications. This must change.

“NexTGen represents crucial and overdue work. It promises to transform the way these solid tumours are treated. It presents a real opportunity to change the story for children and young people diagnosed in the future.” 

Sara Wakeling, Patient Advocate, UK.

We are proud to bring together a diverse team of researchers from leading global institutions across the  United Kingdom, the United States of America and France.