02/23/26 Japan-UK Symposium on Children and Young People's Cancer in Tokyo

Outline

The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) promotes cancer research based on the Basic Plan to Promote Cancer Control Programs and the Comprehensive 10-Year Strategy for Cancer Control, which includes fostering an environment for international collaborative clinical trials. Particularly, children’s and young people’s (CYP) cancers fall under the category of rare cancers, and conducting clinical trials poses significant challenges.
As part of this activity, AMED will jointly host a symposium with the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) on CYP cancers, to encourage collaboration between Japan and the UK in CYP cancer research and to discuss future possibilities for international collaboration.
We warmly welcome the participation of CYP cancer patients, their families and carers, as well as researchers in related fields.
This symposium will be recorded and shared among the registered participants/audience.

On-site: Speakers, moderators and authrised personnels only
Online: General audience
Online Participation will be possible via Zoom webinar. The URL will be provided to those who have registered to participate online.

Researchers interested in CYP cancer research and international collaborative research between Japan and the UK.
Pediatric/CYP cancer patients, their families and carers.

Online Participation: 500 people (Registration will close once online capacity has been reached.)

Registration is free

Please register using the URL below.

URL：https://krs.bz/amed_shikkankiso/m?f=95

※Language：English

Please check the leaflet here
"Japan-UK Symposium on children and young people's cancer in Tokyo"


Session 1：Policy and Background

This session will examine how policy contexts, research ecosystems, funding frameworks, and national priorities are shaping children and young people's cancer research in Japan and the UK, as well as the development of the AMED-NIHR partnership.
From the Japan side, MHLW will present an overview of the Comprehensive 10‐Year Strategy for Cancer Control, and AMED will present its funding program, the Practical Research for Innovative Cancer Control. From the UK side, we will firstly hear reflections from a patient and public perspective, before focusing on DHSC and NIHR priorities for and approaches to supporting cancer research.

Session 2：Solid Cancers

The solid tumour session will focus particularly on Japan/UK collaboration within clinical trials. We will illustrate a successful example of Japanese/UK collaboration (the PHITT study) and reflect on opportunities and lessons learned. We will present the Japanese/UK collaboration that is in progress to facilitate the opening of the INTEREWING 1 study in Japan and then showcase other UK-led international platform studies. Finally, we will highlight how genomics is informing clinical trial design and entry in both Japan and the UK, drawing on UK genomics infrastructure and JCCG-led genomic initiatives, and discuss future opportunities for alignment and collaboration.

Session 3：Hematological Cancer

This session will explore state-of-the-art approaches to pediatric haematological malignancies, with a focus on immunotherapy and novel targeted agents. Speakers from Japan and the UK will compare real-world experience of CAR-T cell therapy for acute leukaemia, spanning clinical outcomes, translational research and future development. Japanese progress in CD19 CAR-T using the piggyBac system will be contrasted with established UCL/UK CAR-T programmes. The session will also review deployment of novel agents in both countries, highlighting practical challenges of access, delivery and equity, and opportunities for deeper Japan-UK collaboration.

Session 4：Brain Cancer

This session focuses on pediatric brain tumors, providing a comparative overview of the current landscape in Japan and the UK. We will report on the status of clinical trials, treatment development, and basic research, while highlighting the integral role of Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in these areas. By discussing the specific challenges and opportunities within both nations, we aim to identify shared priorities. The primary objective is to facilitate a constructive dialogue that leads to the planning and realization of new Japan-UK joint clinical research projects, ultimately accelerating the delivery of better treatments for pediatric and AYA patients.

Session 5：The Wider Research Landscape in Japan and the UK

We will provide a broader overview of the current status and initiatives in collaborative research in pediatric and AYA oncology. We will discuss challenges and future directions for Japan-UK collaboration, focusing on research priorities identified by patients and professionals, and maximising the use of international cancer registry data. Critically, we will discuss how we ensure that children and young people’s quality of life is considered/supported within trials. How palliative and oncology teams can work together, ensuring that trials look not only at survival but also at comfort, wellbeing, and the experiences of children, young people and families.

Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)