Reports
The latest updates
from the MBI
February 2025, #7
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MIT highlighted our model’s potential to revolutionize funding for rare disease research by drastically reducing the time needed to develop treatments.
Read the full story here.
MIT highlighted our model’s potential to revolutionize funding for rare disease research by drastically reducing the time needed to develop treatments.
Read the full story here.
The magic of the MBI model
The labs funded by the MBI to find a cure for medulloblastoma follow some unusual rules.
Each has a question to answer a piece of the puzzle to resolve together, fast. “That is the magic of our model,” Fernando Goldsztein says to Danna Lorch, from the MIT Sloan School of Management, in an article published in January by MIT, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
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Moving science faster than ever:
3M for 3 Trials
Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Relapse occurs in 30% of children with medulloblastoma—a particularly devastating brain cancer. Current treatments, developed in the 1980s, often leave survivors with severe and lifelong side effects. Tragically, many children do not survive this terrible disease.
But there is hope: 3 clinical trials are ready to begin, and we need 3 million USD to launch and sustain them to maximize our chances for success.
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Roger J. Packer, MD
MBI Scientific Leader
Director, Brain Tumor Institute
Children's National Hospital
Washington, D.C.
Open webinar: An update from Dr. Roger J. Packer
Dr. Roger J. Packer, principal investigator of the Cure Group 4 Consortium hosted a webinar for our community in November.
Fifty-two MBI supporters from around the world learned about the Consortium’s two protocols ready to reach patients:
- The first is an immunotherapy protocol, which according to Dr. Packer “leverages the body’s immune response to target cancer cells more effectively and safely than traditional therapies”;
- The second is a medulloblastoma vaccine, which “adapts similar methodologies used in Covid-19 vaccine development. This approach aims to provide a versatile and mobile treatment that could be distributed globally.”
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Doctors and members of the MBI at the first 2025 Cure Group 4 Consortium Meeting.
Cure Group 4 Consortium Scientific Meeting
MBI researchers were excited to attend the regular Cure Group 4 Consortium meeting on January 29, 2025. The group of world-recognized researchers from the US, Canada, and Germany met online in preparation for the start of the two FDA-approved clinical trials and to set the next research goals.
Dr. Gene Hwang, a renowned physician scientist who leads the Division of Oncology at Children’s National in Washington, D.C., attended the meeting. He expressed how much he looks forward to translating the Consortium’s findings into care for kids. “It’s incredible how many exciting, translatable findings and trials are being generated by this group,” he said.
Stay tuned for updates on the news shared during this meeting!
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Michelle Riley-Brown (center-left), President and CEO of Children's National Hospital, alongside members of Team MBI - No Time to Lose.
A running debut: MBI #1 at the Race for Every Child
Every year, Children’s National Hospital hosts a flagship event in Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about children’s health and secure vital funding. The Race for Every Child, a 5K run or walk through the streets of the nation’s capital, brings together thousands of participants united by a shared commitment to this important cause.
On a sunny morning in October, MBI made its race debut, represented by Team MBI-No Time to Lose. Organized in partnership with the Ellis family, the team delivered an outstanding performance.
Out of 8,217 participants and 524 teams, Team MBI emerged as the top fundraiser in its very first appearance, raising an impressive $95,895.
This remarkable contribution will directly support the next stages of groundbreaking research to find a cure for medulloblastoma. Fourteen labs worldwide are collaboratively advancing this critical mission.
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Special Features
Two well-known Brazilian publications recently spotlighted MBI’s remakable progress and our founder’s vision. You can read more from GQ Brazil (full text here) and NeoFeed, one of Brazil’s leading business and innovation platforms (full text here).
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Photo by: Frederico Goldsztein
In 2025, we invite you to renew your commitment or join our MBI community. Together, we can make a difference and create a better world. We need your help to find a cure for the brain tumor that affects the most children.
“Whoever saves one life
saves the world entire.”
- The Talmud
MBI Report #7 - February 2025
Produced by The Medulloblastoma Initiative and Children’s National Hospital
The Medulloblastoma Initiative
Fernando Goldsztein: Founder
Mauro Dorfman: Strategic leader
Claudia Buchweitz / Scientific Linguagem: Team leader
Iago Paz / Scientific Linguagem: Design and social media
Martina Fischer: Project management
Francesca Tantazzi: Advisor
Agência Blue Chip: Press & PR
The Medulloblastoma Initiative Advisory Board
Paula Puppi
Claudio Galvão de Castro
Ricardo Sales
Claudia Buchweitz
Mauro Dorfman
Fernando Goldsztein
Children’s National Hospital Foundation
Amanda Ranalli: Associate Vice President, Major, Principal and International Giving
Andrew Miller: Director of Development, Neurosciences & Behavioral Medicine
Rachel Phillips: Senior Creative Director
Dan Wilcock: Director, Editorial — Transformational Giving
Erin Whiteman: Associate Director, Major Gifts
Paige Mulry: Development Coordinator, Major Gifts and International Advancement
Emma Younger: Development Assistant
© 2025 The Medulloblastoma Initiative – All rights reserved.
Photos: Pexels.com / Unsplash / Canva
