The Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Care program (DF/CHCC) is one of the top pediatric cancer care programs in the country. DF/CHCC researchers initiate multiple new pediatric cancer clinical studies each year, investigating new treatments for all forms of childhood cancer. Many of our findings have built the foundation for new and improved cancer therapies.

In addition, many DF/CHCC investigators assume leadership roles in national cooperative research groups investigating new, or Phase I, approaches for treating all forms of childhood cancer. DF/CHCC is the only pediatric program in New England that offers access to many of these Phase I studies.

At any time there is an average of 60 unique clinical trials accepting new patients at DF/CHCC, each of which investigates a new way to treat cancer.

Dana-Farber ALL Consortium
The DFCI ALL Consortium brings together eight institutions in the United States and Canada to work together to develop and oversee medical studies for children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), with the goal of improving survival while minimizing toxicity.
Primary Contact: Lewis B. Silverman, MD, 617-632-5285

Children's Oncology Group (COG)
COG is a collaborative research organization comprised of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and research coordinators dedicated to improving the treatment of childhood cancers. DF/CHCC is one of only 20 institutions nationwide conducting COG Phase I clinical trials. On their Curesearch.org web site, COG offers information for patients and families regarding cancer diagnosis, treatment, supportive care and after treatment.
Primary Contact: Holcombe Grier, MD, 617-632-3971

Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC)
The PBTC is a multidisciplinary cooperative research organization devoted to the study of correlative tumor biology and new therapies for primary CNS tumors of childhood. DF/CHCC was selected as one of the original nine member institutions because of its extensive experience with pediatric brain tumor clinical trials and its depth of the laboratory and imaging capabilities.
Primary Contact: Mark W. Kieran, MD, PhD, 617-632-4386

New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT)
NANT is a group of 14 universities and Children's Hospitals with strong research and treatment programs for neuroblastoma that tests promising new therapies for high-risk and relapsed neuroblastoma. The group is supported and funded by the National Cancer Institute.
Primary Contact: Lisa Diller, MD, 617-632-5642

Histiocyte Society
The Histiocyte Society is a nonprofit organization, comprised of an international group of more than 200 physicians and scientists, committed to improving the lives of patients with histiocytosis by conducting clinical and laboratory research into the causes and treatment of this disease. This international society provides a forum for the exchange of information and a framework for organized activities of fundamental importance.
Primary Contact: Barbara Degar, MD, 617-632-5508

We also encourage parents to learn more about evaluating, enrolling and participating in a clinical trial by reading our Cancer Clinical Trial FAQ, watching Dana-Farber's informational video "Entering a Clinical Trial: is it right for you?"