Clinical trial spotlight: A new option for high-grade glioma

High-grade glioma is an aggressive brain cancer that accounts for over 40% of childhood brain tumor deaths, underscoring the urgent need for more effective therapies.

Unlike traditional treatments such as radiation and surgical resection, which aim to remove or destroy cancer cells locally, PNOC020’s mRNA vaccine targets tumor antigens unique to each patient’s cancer throughout the body. Using custom made nanoparticle clusters, tumor RNA is delivered directly to the body’s immune cells. The mRNA vaccine provides a more potent immune response by teaching the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, reducing collateral damage to healthy cells and offering a comprehensive approach to eliminating the disease.

The impact of PNOC020 extends beyond immediate treatment outcomes. By developing a robust and scalable mRNA vaccine platform, this trial aims to set new standards in pediatric oncology, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life for children diagnosed with high-grade glioma. PNOC020 could pave the way for similar personalized therapies for other types of pediatric cancers, thereby revolutionizing the field and offering new hope to countless families.

This exciting clinical trial is now open at at University of Florida Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. If you believe your child may be eligible for this trial, you can learn more here or email info@pnoc.us for more information.

"The Max Pound Foundation is proud to support the PNOC020 study, recognizing it as a bold and fearless approach — just like Max. This cutting-edge effort offers hope to children with few remaining options, and we believe in its potential to impact many types of childhood cancer."

— Carol Pound.