Every year, thousands of children and adolescents are confronted with cancer. Yet the resources mobilized to understand and treat these pathologies remain derisory compared with adult cancers: only 12 pediatric treatments approved in 10 years, compared with 150 in adults(EMA, 2024). Pediatric cancers, which are rare and often specific, suffer from a lack of data structuring, pooling of efforts and interdisciplinary coordination.
While these cancers represent the leading cause of death from disease after one year, researchers lack the tools to cross-reference data, spot treatment resistance and accelerate the discovery of new, more targeted and less toxic therapies. Reputational risk, data fragmentation and the absence of shared standards are holding back progress. Yet these often primitive cancers offer a unique gateway to understanding the initial mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
Pediatric oncology must become a collective priority, supported by a rigorous scientific approach. By working together, we can turn this challenge into progress.
At ADLIN, we are convinced that a paradigm shift is needed. By structuring the data needed to better understand the mechanisms specific to children, by facilitating their ethical exploitation and by federating the efforts of researchers, it is possible to remove these obstacles. This approach will not only speed up scientific discoveries, but also provide solutions specific to children, with potential spin-offs for other types of adult cancers.
ADLIN supports the structuring, connection and promotion of research efforts in pediatric oncology through several major initiatives:
