On Mar. 21, 2022, in support of the Cancer Moonshot goal of fostering data sharing in cancer research, the National Cancer Institute launched the Molecular Characterization Initiative for pediatric tumors.

This program offers tumor molecular characterization, also called biomarker testing, to children, adolescents, and young adults with newly diagnosed central nervous system tumors who were being treated at hospitals affiliated with the Children’s Oncology Group, an NCI-supported clinical trials group that includes more than 200 hospitals and institutions that treat most children diagnosed with cancer in the U.S.