On September 29, 2025 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) reported that Theodore W. Laetsch, MD, a pediatric oncologist and principal investigator in the Advanced Personalized Therapeutics and Precision Surgery Program, was awarded a $1 million multi-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) (Press release, CHOP, SEP 29, 2025, View Source [SID1234656328]). The grant will advance research and treatment of rare tumors, which are responsible for 25% of cancer-related deaths.

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Historically understudied, rare tumors have seen less improvement in outcomes compared to more common cancers due to numerous obstacles in clinical research. Additionally, most rare pediatric cancers occur in the adolescent and young adult population, where treatment is often dispersed across various subspecialties.

The grant supports Laetsch’s commitment to tackling these challenges and advancing the understanding and precision medicine approach to treating rare tumors across the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), within CHOP, at the University of Pennsylvania, and in mentoring junior investigators. Laetsch, who also leads CHOP’s Developmental Therapeutics Program and Very Rare Malignant Tumors Program, and holds national leadership roles within COG, has been instrumental in addressing myriad challenges facing the field. These include the limited availability of biospecimens, small patient numbers, and the complexity of designing novel clinical trials.

"This grant represents a pivotal milestone in our quest to transform rare tumor research and enhance patient outcomes," said Laetsch. "Our mission is to bridge gaps in clinical research and ensure that children and adolescents have access to cutting-edge precision treatment options."

The grant will allow Laetsch and his team to focus on immunotherapy trials and molecularly targeted therapies for rare cancers. This initiative will oversee the development of novel studies for patients never previously researched within COG, such as those with thyroid cancer and melanoma.

The funding will also help establish the Advanced Personalized Therapeutics and Precision Surgery Program, a pediatric-adult rare tumor program at the Leonard and Madlyn Abramson Pediatric Research Center. The program aims to increase enrollment in both the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and investigator-initiated precision medicine trials for children and adults with rare tumors and help physicians find appropriate trials for their patients.

The grant is expected to expand the pipeline of rare tumor clinical trials within the NCTN. It will boost participation in NCI-funded rare tumor clinical research across all age groups at the Abramson Cancer Center and enhance both institutional and COG biobanks.

Dr. Laetsch will also mentor the next generation of clinicians specializing in rare tumors and developmental therapeutics. Through the COG/NCTN, he will guide young researchers in designing and leading future studies.

"The award underscores the importance of fostering new talent in the field and ensuring a sustained focus on rare tumor research," said Laetsch.