Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common pediatric brain cancer and accounts for approximately 20% of all cases.

Dr. Tim Gershon, a pediatric neurologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and his team are working on treatment that could reduce threat of child brain cancer. Medulloblastoma is a common brain tumor in children, which currently has a 100% mortality rate.

The study published in the journal Nature is still in the preclinical phase and is based on a new drug, CT-179.

CT-179 can target cancer stem cells responsible for regrowth after treatment.

In preclinical trials with mice, combining CT-179 with radiation therapy helped prevent tumor recurrence.

Gershon said the study offers hope for treating the 20% of children whose tumors resist current therapies.