Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including neurological, psychiatric and oncological diseases, remain debilitating and have not fully benefited from the achievements of modern medicine. The CNS is a particularly challenging therapeutic target because of both the blood-brain barrier, which blocks most potential agents from the brain, and the innate susceptibility of the CNS to toxicity and other adverse effects associated with various agents. We have an opportunity to take advantage of the unprecedented advancements in imaging technologies, including speed of acquisition, sensitivity of detection, multimodality platforms, and molecule labeling, to improve outcomes for patients with CNS disorders.
We have launched the Society for Image Guided Neurointerventions (SIGN) to raise awareness of major stakeholders such as physicians, scientists, regulators and patients, about these advances in imaging and to work collaboratively to develop novel therapeutic strategies that can be translated into clinical practice, making the vision of precision medicine for CNS disorders a reality. SIGN is a natural partner for a variety of more specific interest groups such as the CBTDDC. There is an inherent shared interest of both entities, in the way that SIGN teaches the latest imaging capabilities and CBTDDC provides a detailed clinical perspective on one of the biggest medical challenges of pediatric brain cancer. Both entities independently identified drug delivery to the brain as a chief impediment that needs to be addressed. Multidisciplinary discussions focused on tumor biology, natural history, epidemiology, and an array of currently and previously investigated therapeutic agents/procedures, are vital to identify gaps and opportunities for innovation.
CBTDDC meaningfully contributed to the last annual SIGN conference by engaging clinical and research pioneers in the field of drug delivery for pediatric brain cancer and making them aware of the new opportunities in the world of advanced imaging. We are excited to continue this partnership and look forward to organizing another joint event, SIGN2020 in Warwick, UK, at the end of June next year.