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How Can We Accelerate NF Research Progress?

Strategic Planning to Set Future Directions

Since the identification of the NF1 and NF2 genes in the early 1990's, NF research has made major strides. Today, we have a good understanding of the underlying biology of NF, and have identified some of the major drug targets for the disorder. We have NF cell and animal models, vital for the preclinical testing of candidate drugs. And finally, NF clinical trials are starting to take shape.

The Children's Tumor Foundation has played a key role in driving this progress. We have awarded over $22M in research grants since 1978, supporting innovative new ideas & focusing on bringing early-career scientist into NF research. Our investment has paid of by establishing a community of NF researchers who have successfully secured over $200M government funding in the past 10 years alone.

However, obstacles still remain along the path to finding & implementing effective drug treatments for NF. What are these obstacles? How can we surmount them?

What must we at the Children's Tumor Foundation, as well as the NF community at large - do next to accelerate progress toward finding effective NF therapies?

In 2006 we addressed these questions.

First we developed the "NF Research Landscape"“ a review of grant funding for NF research over the past ten years, how it has been spent, and what it has accomplished; and an assessment of where we stand today along the path to finding treatments for NF.

We then convened a strategic planning forum of NF experts, advisors from other foundations, NIH and DOD, and members of the pharmaceutical industry. Their mandate was to identify the obstacles: areas of NF research that, if given attention & funding, could significantly accelerate the field.

A summary of the NF Research Landscape and the recommendations arising from the strategic planning process are presented below.

These recommendations will guide the future direction of the Foundation's research programs, and we hope will help inform future NF research funding by federal agencies & private funding sources. To read the Strategic Plan, click HERE.

RESEARCH OVERSIGHT: To see how CTF reviews and manages our research programs, CLICK HERE.