The Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) - Accelerating Research in Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors through Collaboration and Open Science
Authors: Lilly Jena V. , Rokita Jo Lynne , Mason Jennifer L. , Patton Tatiana , Stefankiewiz Stephanie , Higgins David , Trooskin Gerri , Larouci Carina A. , Arya Kamnaa , Appert Elizabeth , Heath Allison P. , Zhu Yuankun , Brown Miguel A. , Zhang Bo , Farrow Bailey K. , Robins Shannon , Morgan Allison M. , Nguyen Thinh Q. , Frenkel Elizabeth , Lehmann Kaitlin , Drake Emily , Sullivan Catherine , Plisiewicz Alexa , Coleman Noel , Patterson Luke , Koptyra Mateusz , Helili Zeinab , Van Kuren Nicholas , Young Nathan , Kim Meen Chul , Friedman Christopher , Lubneuski Alex , Blackden Christopher , Williams Marti , Baubet Valerie , Tauhid Lamiya , Galanaugh Jamie , Boucher Katie , Ijaz Heba , Cole Kristina A. , Choudhari Namrata , Santi Mariarita , Moulder Robert W. , Waller Jonathan , Rife Whitney , Diskin Sharon J. , Mateos Marion , Parsons Donald W. , Pollack Ian F. , Goldman Stewart , Leary Sarah , Caporalini Chiara , Buccoliero Anna Maria , Scagnet Mirko , Haussler David , Hanson Derek , Firestein Ron , Cain Jason , Phillips Joanna J. , Gupta Nalin , Mueller Sabine , Grant Gerald , Monje-Deisseroth Michelle , Partap Sonia , Greenfield Jeffrey P. , Hashizume Rintaro , Smith Amy , Zhu Shida , Johnston James M. , Fangusaro Jason R , Miller Matthew , Wood Matthew D. , Gardner Sharon , Carter Claire L. , Prolo Laura M. , Pisapia Jared , Pehlivan Katherine , Franson Andrea , Niazi Toba , Rubin Josh , Abdelbaki Mohamed , Ziegler David S. , Lindsay Holly B. , Stucklin Ana Guerreiro , Gerber Nicolas , Vaske Olena M. , Quinsey Carolyn , Rood Brian R. , Nazarian Javad , Raabe Eric , Jackson Eric M. , Stapleton Stacie , Lober Robert M. , Kram David E. , Koschmann Carl , Storm Phillip B. , Lulla Rishi R. , Prados Michael , Resnick Adam C. , Waanders Angela J. 
Published: October 2022

Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children in the United States and contribute a disproportionate number of potential years of life lost compared to adult cancers. Moreover, survivors frequently suffer long-term side effects, including secondary cancers. The Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) is a multi-institutional international clinical research consortium created to advance therapeutic development through the collection and rapid distribution of biospecimens and data via open-science research platforms for real-time access and use by the global research community. The CBTN’s 32 member institutions utilize a shared regulatory governance architecture at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to accelerate and maximize the use of biospecimens and data. As of August 2022, CBTN has enrolled over 4,700 subjects, over 1,500 parents, and collected over 65,000 biospecimen aliquots for research. Additionally, over 80 preclinical models have been developed from collected tumors. Multi-omic data for over 1,000 tumors and germline material is currently available with data generation for > 5,000 samples underway. To our knowledge, CBTN provides the largest open-access pediatric brain tumor multi-omic dataset annotated with longitudinal clinical and outcome data, imaging, associated biospecimens, child-parent genomic pedigrees, andin vivoandin vitropreclinical models. Empowered by NIH-supported platforms such as the Kids First Data Resource and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, the CBTN continues to expand the resources needed for scientists to accelerate translational impact for improved outcomes and quality of life for children with brain and spinal cord tumors.