The Pediatric Oncology Branch is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young adults with cancer and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes. We conduct translational research that spans basic science to clinical trials. Our clinical studies are performed in an environment that supports our patient’s medical and emotional needs, alongside cutting edge scientific research.
Whether you are a referring physician, family member or patient with childhood cancer or neurofibromatosis, or are interested in training at the Pediatric Oncology Branch, we hope that this website will provide the information you need to access our programs.
Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D. Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch-
Refer a Patient
Physicians should contact the Pediatric Oncology Branch by calling 240-760-6403 or 1-833-248-0479 or email NCIPOBReferrals@mail.nih.gov
-
Clinical Trials
We conduct clinical trials in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, pediatric sarcomas, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, malignant melanoma, neurofibromatosis and Phase I trials.
-
Fellowship
The Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship is a joint program of the Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, NIH and Johns Hopkins University.
-
News
MEK inhibitor selumetinib granted breakthrough designation by FDA.
Read more...
Our investigators and physicians realize that many challenges remain in the treatment of childhood cancers and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes but we are committed to improving outcomes for children and young adults with these diseases through cutting-edge basic and clinical research. Patients with cancer, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), NF2 or other diseases under study who are enrolled on Branch clinical trials may receive therapy at the NIH Clinical Center.
Pediatric Oncology: A Tour for New Patients
Link to audio described version here.
Our clinical programs and trials span early treatment studies with new targeted agents including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins, immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, and bone marrow transplantation, to studies aimed at improving our understanding of childhood cancers and the conditions that predispose children to cancer. Our multidisciplinary teams specialize in the study and treatment of:
- pediatric brain tumors
- solid tumors, including sarcomas:
- neuroblastoma
- melanoma
- gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors (GIST)
- leukemias and lymphomas
- tumors related to genetic tumor predisposition syndromes:
Support Services
The treatment of a childhood cancer presents extraordinary psychological, emotional and social challenges to the entire family. We offer a variety of support services to help patients and their families adapt and mobilize resources during treatment for these diseases. At the heart of these services is the personal commitment of every clinical team member to understand each young patient as a unique individual with specific needs. Team members collaborate with parents at each step in the process to be attentive to the quality of life of all family members, including siblings.
Physicians, patients, or family members may contact the Pediatric Oncology Branch from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday:
- 240-760-6403 (local)
- 1-833-248-0479 (toll-free)
- NCIPOBReferrals@mail.nih.gov
Administrative Staff:
Fidelia Acevedo, Program Assistant
240-858-3844
Tiffany Prout, Administrative Assistant (Contr.)
240-276-5130
Donna Shiels, Administrative Assistant (Contr.)
240-858-3831
- The Children's Inn at NIH
- About Childhood Cancers
- The NIH Clinical Center
- Camp Fantastic
- My Pediatric and Adult Rare Tumor Network
Scientific Research
- Behavioral Health Core - Lori Wiener, PhD, and Pamela Wolters, PhD, Co-Directors
- Cell and Molecular Biology Section - Carol J. Thiele, PhD, Head
- Hematologic Malignancies Section - Nirali Shah, Head
- Tumor Microenvironment Section - Rosandra N. Kaplan, Head
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Section and Genetic Tumor Predisposition Program - Brigitte Widemann, MD, Head
Training Opportunities
- Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
- Medical Student Rotations
- Predoctoral Fellowships
- Psychology Training Program
- Resident Electives
Trainees and Featured Alumni
- James Morrow – MD/PhD, Graduate Student
- Adrienne Long – MD/PhD, Graduate Student
- Meera Murgabi – PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
- Jerry Jaboin – MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis
- AeRang Kim – MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, George Washington University and Attending Physician at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children’s National Medical Center
Selumetinib Approved by FDA to Treat Children with NF1
April 2020
This blog post was originally published by NCI Staff on April 14, 2020.
-
Dr. Karlyne Reilly, Ph.D., speaks at the Future of Healthcare Summit held by The Hill
June 2019
Dr. Karlyne Reilly participated in a panel on rare disease at the Future of Healthcare Summit, an event organized by The Hill magazine. She spoke about the challenges in rare disease and rare cancer research, and the importance of collaboration and innovation to develop therapies and get them to the patients. Watch the panel discussion here: https://buff.ly/326wUnX.
-
Congressional staff visit the POB
On May 29, 2019, Congressional staff visited the POB and participated in a roundtable discussion about childhood cancer research with NCI pediatric oncology experts. Congressional staff also toured labs within the POB and met with patients and families at the Children’s Inn at NIH. Nine bipartisan and bicameral staffers interested in childhood cancer research were present for the visit.
-
Dr. Nirali Shah, M.D., and Dr. Lori Wiener, Ph.D., speak at the Children and Cancer summit hosted by The Atlantic
May 2019
On May 22, 2019, the Atlantic magazine hosted a summit on Children and Cancer. Dr. Nirali Shah, M.D. discussed her work on immunotherapy: Watch here. Dr. Lori Wiener, Ph.D. discussed her work on psychosocial standards of care for children and young adults with cancer: Watch here.
-
Dr. Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D., discusses his research on CDH1 germline mutations in a Bloomberg podcast
May 2019
Dr. Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D. is featured on a recent Bloomberg Prognosis podcast episode entitled “Should We Be Scared of Our DNA?” He discusses the risks of developing diseases from genetic mutations. He also explains his work on the CDH1 germline mutations and the associated risk of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). Listen the full podcast online here.
About
The Pediatric Oncology Branch is dedicated to improving outcomes for children and young adults with cancer and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes. We conduct translational research that spans basic science to clinical trials. Our clinical studies are performed in an environment that supports our patient’s medical and emotional needs, alongside cutting edge scientific research.
Whether you are a referring physician, family member or patient with childhood cancer or neurofibromatosis, or are interested in training at the Pediatric Oncology Branch, we hope that this website will provide the information you need to access our programs.
Brigitte C. Widemann, M.D. Chief, Pediatric Oncology Branch-
Refer a Patient
Physicians should contact the Pediatric Oncology Branch by calling 240-760-6403 or 1-833-248-0479 or email NCIPOBReferrals@mail.nih.gov
-
Clinical Trials
We conduct clinical trials in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, pediatric sarcomas, neuroblastoma, brain tumors, malignant melanoma, neurofibromatosis and Phase I trials.
-
Fellowship
The Pediatric Hematology Oncology Fellowship is a joint program of the Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI, NIH and Johns Hopkins University.
-
News
MEK inhibitor selumetinib granted breakthrough designation by FDA.
Read more...
Referrals
Physicians, patients, or family members may contact the Pediatric Oncology Branch from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Friday:
- 240-760-6403 (local)
- 1-833-248-0479 (toll-free)
- NCIPOBReferrals@mail.nih.gov
Administrative Staff:
Fidelia Acevedo, Program Assistant
240-858-3844
Tiffany Prout, Administrative Assistant (Contr.)
240-276-5130
Donna Shiels, Administrative Assistant (Contr.)
240-858-3831
- The Children's Inn at NIH
- About Childhood Cancers
- The NIH Clinical Center
- Camp Fantastic
- My Pediatric and Adult Rare Tumor Network
For Patients
Our investigators and physicians realize that many challenges remain in the treatment of childhood cancers and genetic tumor predisposition syndromes but we are committed to improving outcomes for children and young adults with these diseases through cutting-edge basic and clinical research. Patients with cancer, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), NF2 or other diseases under study who are enrolled on Branch clinical trials may receive therapy at the NIH Clinical Center.
Pediatric Oncology: A Tour for New Patients
Link to audio described version here.
Our clinical programs and trials span early treatment studies with new targeted agents including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies and immunotoxins, immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, and bone marrow transplantation, to studies aimed at improving our understanding of childhood cancers and the conditions that predispose children to cancer. Our multidisciplinary teams specialize in the study and treatment of:
- pediatric brain tumors
- solid tumors, including sarcomas:
- neuroblastoma
- melanoma
- gastrointestinal stromal cell tumors (GIST)
- leukemias and lymphomas
- tumors related to genetic tumor predisposition syndromes:
Support Services
The treatment of a childhood cancer presents extraordinary psychological, emotional and social challenges to the entire family. We offer a variety of support services to help patients and their families adapt and mobilize resources during treatment for these diseases. At the heart of these services is the personal commitment of every clinical team member to understand each young patient as a unique individual with specific needs. Team members collaborate with parents at each step in the process to be attentive to the quality of life of all family members, including siblings.
Teams
For Trainees
Training Opportunities
- Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Graduate and Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
- Medical Student Rotations
- Predoctoral Fellowships
- Psychology Training Program
- Resident Electives
Trainees and Featured Alumni
- James Morrow – MD/PhD, Graduate Student
- Adrienne Long – MD/PhD, Graduate Student
- Meera Murgabi – PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow
- Jerry Jaboin – MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, Washington University, St. Louis
- AeRang Kim – MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, George Washington University and Attending Physician at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at the Children’s National Medical Center
Our Science
Scientific Research
- Behavioral Health Core - Lori Wiener, PhD, and Pamela Wolters, PhD, Co-Directors
- Cell and Molecular Biology Section - Carol J. Thiele, PhD, Head
- Hematologic Malignancies Section - Nirali Shah, Head
- Tumor Microenvironment Section - Rosandra N. Kaplan, Head
- Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Section and Genetic Tumor Predisposition Program - Brigitte Widemann, MD, Head
News
Selumetinib Approved by FDA to Treat Children with NF1
April 2020
This blog post was originally published by NCI Staff on April 14, 2020.
-
Dr. Karlyne Reilly, Ph.D., speaks at the Future of Healthcare Summit held by The Hill
June 2019
Dr. Karlyne Reilly participated in a panel on rare disease at the Future of Healthcare Summit, an event organized by The Hill magazine. She spoke about the challenges in rare disease and rare cancer research, and the importance of collaboration and innovation to develop therapies and get them to the patients. Watch the panel discussion here: https://buff.ly/326wUnX.
-
Congressional staff visit the POB
On May 29, 2019, Congressional staff visited the POB and participated in a roundtable discussion about childhood cancer research with NCI pediatric oncology experts. Congressional staff also toured labs within the POB and met with patients and families at the Children’s Inn at NIH. Nine bipartisan and bicameral staffers interested in childhood cancer research were present for the visit.
-
Dr. Nirali Shah, M.D., and Dr. Lori Wiener, Ph.D., speak at the Children and Cancer summit hosted by The Atlantic
May 2019
On May 22, 2019, the Atlantic magazine hosted a summit on Children and Cancer. Dr. Nirali Shah, M.D. discussed her work on immunotherapy: Watch here. Dr. Lori Wiener, Ph.D. discussed her work on psychosocial standards of care for children and young adults with cancer: Watch here.
-
Dr. Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D., discusses his research on CDH1 germline mutations in a Bloomberg podcast
May 2019
Dr. Udo Rudloff, M.D., Ph.D. is featured on a recent Bloomberg Prognosis podcast episode entitled “Should We Be Scared of Our DNA?” He discusses the risks of developing diseases from genetic mutations. He also explains his work on the CDH1 germline mutations and the associated risk of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). Listen the full podcast online here.