The Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona will lead the PHOENIX project, an international clinical trial funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program with €8.5 million. The study will test the experimental drug ibrilatazar (ABTL0812) in 50 pediatric patients aged 6 months to 18 years suffering from relapsed or refractory solid tumors, including neuroblastoma.
How the PHOENIX Project Addresses Pediatric Cancer
The PHOENIX initiative aims to provide new therapeutic options for children with high-risk cancers who have exhausted standard treatments. According to the [European Commission](https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en), Horizon Europe focuses on funding research that bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and clinical application.
Pediatric solid tumors remain a leading cause of cancer-related death in children. While current protocols improve survival, they often rely on high-intensity chemotherapy that causes long-term health complications. The PHOENIX project, which involves 13 institutions across six countries, seeks to introduce a targeted approach that is both effective and less toxic to healthy tissues.
Why Ibrilatazar Represents a Different Therapeutic Approach
Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which functions by causing DNA damage to rapidly dividing cells, ibrilatazar acts through a different biological mechanism. Developed by the Spanish biopharmaceutical company [AbilityPharma](https://www.abilitypharma.com/), the drug is designed to activate natural cellular processes that trigger the selective death of tumor cells.
Researchers will evaluate the drug’s safety, optimal dosing, and antitumor activity when administered in combination with standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy. By targeting cancer cells more selectively, investigators expect to reduce systemic toxicity. To improve the standard of care for pediatric patients, the drug is being developed in an oral liquid formulation, which is significantly easier to administer to children than traditional adult-sized capsules.
What Techniques Will Monitor Patient Progress
The trial will incorporate advanced monitoring tools to ensure precision and patient safety. Beyond standard clinical observation, the research team will utilize liquid biopsy techniques to analyze cancer progression through simple blood tests. This method avoids the need for invasive tissue sampling, which is particularly beneficial for younger patients.
Additionally, the project includes a comprehensive analysis of biomarkers to predict individual patient responses. By identifying which children are most likely to benefit from ibrilatazar, clinicians can tailor treatments more effectively. The study will also track quality-of-life metrics and patient-reported outcomes to measure the overall impact of the treatment on the daily lives of families.
Key Facts About the PHOENIX Trial
| Feature | Detail |
| :— | :— |
| Lead Institution | Vall d’Hebron University Hospital |
| Funding | €8.5 million (Horizon Europe) |
| Target Population | Patients 6 months to 18 years |
| Condition | Relapsed/refractory solid tumors |
| Scope | 50 patients across 13 European centers |
This collaborative effort marks a significant move toward international standardization in pediatric oncology research. By pooling resources across six nations, the PHOENIX project aims to accelerate the development of therapies for the approximately 1,000 European children diagnosed each year with high-risk cancers that currently have limited treatment options.
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