Funding a Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial Evaluating Dovitinib for Pediatric Bone Sarcomas
About Dovitinib
Dovitinib is a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (pan-TKI) that blocks pathways including FGFR and VEGFR, both linked to tumor growth. Initially developed by Novartis and later licensed to Oncoheroes Biosciences, it is now being advanced for childhood cancers, with preclinical studies showing strong potential in osteosarcoma.
About the Trial
OPTIMISE, led by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), is an exploratory multinational Phase 1/2 basket trial evaluating dovitinib for children and adolescents with relapsed, refractory, or progressive bone sarcomas.
Design
Seamless first-in-child Phase 1/2 biomarker-driven enrollment.
Primary Goals
Define safe dosing for dovitinib both alone and in combination with chemotherapy, assess tumor response, and evaluate molecular biomarkers.
Patients
~40 children across multiple cancer types and centers around the world.
Timeline
The trial is expected to begin dosing its first patient in Q2 2026, with signal-generating results that could position dovitinib for a registration trial.
Why It Matters
Children with osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, two of the most common pediatric bone cancers, face survival rates below 30% when the disease relapses or spreads. Standard chemotherapy regimens have barely changed in decades, offering limited benefit while leaving children with severe long-term side effects. Dovitinib provides new hope to these children.
Be Part of the Cure
With your support, Dovitinib can progress through pediatric development and move closer to becoming a life-saving option for children who urgently need better therapies.