New and improved medicine and treatments options for pediatric cancers and blood disorders require robust pre-clinical studies that eventually translate into clinical trials. Currently, Canada lacks a formal research pipeline that systematically creates a link between exploratory and translational research. The creation, delivery and modification of these precise treatments requires unified, national access to molecular and cellular biology knowledge, technologies, and expertise that will better inform the patient’s diagnosis, influence their treatment, and support their long-term health.

The Pediatric Cancer Models & Mechanisms (PCMM) Network aims to streamline the research and technology pipeline for pediatric cancers in Canada. By building a national platform, the PCMM Network will connect pre-clinical researchers and clinical researchers from across Canada to answer prioritized research questions and accelerate a model for precision medicine.

Canada is rich in expertise, technology, and knowledge in pediatric cancer biology and treatment. However, the Canadian research ecosystem is not uniformly distributed, which results in inequity in access across provincial and territorial authorities. Through the PCMM Network, the Cancer Biology theme will promote national access and collaborations between pre-clinical and clinical researchers, paving the way for the generation of pre-clinical data that support new early-phase clinical trials and foster innovation.

Moreover, for patients and families, the PCMM Network will facilitate more equitable access to pre-clinical innovation across provincial and territorial authorities within Canada.