House passes pediatric cancer trial expansion bill
The House of Representatives unanimously passed the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids A Chance Act on Monday, a bipartisan measure to expand children’s access to cancer therapy trials and spur development of pediatric treatments. The bill reauthorizes NIH funding for pediatric disease research through FY2027 and extends the FDA’s authority to expedite review of certain pediatric drugs; it is named after teen advocate Mikaela Naylon, who died from osteosarcoma.
📌 Key Facts
- Unanimous House passage on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025
- Reauthorizes NIH pediatric disease research funding through FY2027
- Extends FDA expedited review authority for certain pediatric illnesses
- Named after Mikaela Naylon, a teen osteosarcoma patient and advocate
- Championed by Rep. Michael McCaul with support from Reps. Debbie Dingell and Gus Bilirakis
📊 Relevant Data
In 2017–2021, the incidence rate of leukemia was about twice as high in Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native children and adolescents as in Black children and adolescents; Hispanic children comprise approximately 26% of the US child population aged 0-17, American Indian/Alaska Native about 1%, and Black about 14%.
Cancer in Children and Adolescents — National Cancer Institute
Hispanic children have the highest cancer incidence rates in the United States; Hispanic children comprise approximately 26% of the US child population aged 0-17.
AACR Releases First Pediatric Cancer Progress Report — Cancer Health
Non-Hispanic Black children are nearly 30% more likely to die from certain pediatric cancers than non-Hispanic White children; Non-Hispanic Black children comprise approximately 14% of the US child population aged 0-17, and Non-Hispanic White about 50%.
AACR Releases First Pediatric Cancer Progress Report — Cancer Health
In 2007-2015 data, osteosarcomas were more common among Black patients (58.0% of bone sarcomas) compared to White patients (33.4%); Black individuals comprise about 14% of the US population, White about 60%.