DMG-ACT — Signals of Progress and Platform Expansion

DMG-ACT (Diffuse Midline Glioma – Adaptive Combinatorial Therapy) is a global, multidisciplinary initiative transforming how children with DIPG and DMG are treated. Built on the belief that no single therapy will defeat these heterogeneous and aggressive tumors, DMG-ACT brings together world-leading clinicians, scientists, and institutions to rapidly identify, test, and advance the most promising treatment combinations for children battling these cancers.

In 2025, DMG-ACT began to show early signs that its adaptive, combination-based approach could shift expectations for DMG outcomes. Updated analyses revealed longer median overall survival in newly diagnosed and post-radiation cohorts compared to historical benchmarks, along with the emergence of long-term survivors across multiple arms.

This year also marked a turning point in platform growth. FDA approved ONC201 as the first drug for treatment of H3K27M mutant DMGs. This milestone that was the direct result of the collaborative research by DMG-ACT. Moreover, additional approval milestones were reached for new investigational arms, including dose-optimized ONC201 strategies, molecularly targeted combinations, and preparation for novel modalities such as oncolytic viruses and immunotherapy. ChadTough’s funding supported both continued enrollment and the scientific groundwork necessary to safely and thoughtfully expand the platform’s scope.