WKYT Investigates: Kentucky secures federal grant to study Eastern Kentucky DIPG cases
State health officials say they are working with the CDC to determine whether environmental factors are linked to the rise in cases
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) — State health officials are sharing new details about their investigation into an unusual number of pediatric brain cancer cases in Eastern Kentucky.
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, or DIPG, is a rare and deadly cancer, with two to three cases typically diagnosed statewide each year. The Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Cancer Registry have confirmed 10 cases of DIPG in Eastern Kentucky since 2024.
State, CDC meeting regularly on cases
The Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Cancer Registry have met regularly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the 10 DIPG cases, working to determine whether anything in the environment could be causing them.
The state has given the CDC information about the locations of the cases, as well as data on past environmental and hazardous incidents in the region, and has received technical assistance from the agency.
State secures grant for case study
The Kentucky Department for Public Health has secured a $40,000 award through a Health and Human Services grant from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The award will be shared with the Whitley County Health Department and the Kentucky Cancer Registry.
The money will support case tracking efforts, community outreach, and the development of a case control study.
The study would involve reviewing past cases and comparing them to a demographically matched control group to determine whether similar exposures appear in cases that are not present in the control group, with the aim of identifying associations or trends among those with DIPG.
The study would be conducted by an outside university, hospital, or research organization. The Kentucky Department for Public Health does not directly conduct complex investigations into the causes of cancer.
The grant was received in August, and planning for a potential case control study is in its early stages.
No known cause identified
Researchers across the globe have not identified an environmental or hereditary cause for DIPG.
The Beshear administration says they have directed a record $45.5 million toward pediatric cancer research and family support since taking office and says they intend to continue that commitment.
In a statement, Beshear said, “There is no known environmental or hereditary cause for DIPG currently, which presents a significant challenge for teams working to identify a contributing cause for a rise in cases like we have seen in Eastern Kentucky.”
Beshear added, “As a dad, and as someone who came to know and admire David Turner Jr. and his family, I’m committed to supporting the families affected and am having my administration work to secure additional support from the federal government. Since I took office, we have directed a record $45.5 million toward pediatric cancer research and family support, and we will continue this commitment to support childhood cancer patients and their families as we fight to find a cure.”
Congressman Hal Rogers told WKYT Investigates he has urged the CDC to move quicker with their investigation to get answers for the people of Eastern Kentucky.
“There’s a lot of people that’s caring about this issue and these young people, and they deserve everything that we can get for them. That’s why I’ve asked CDC and the other agencies to speed it up to get us some answers,” Rogers said.
When asked about federal cuts to cancer research, Rogers pointed to language he secured within the LLHS Appropriations Act of 2027 to prioritize childhood cancer research with federal support.
“Those parents of those young people, they’re in good hands. Your stories are having an effect; it is on me. We have a whole government that’s plugged in now, and we will see that the money gets to the right places,” Rogers said.
Ned Pillersdorf, the Democrat looking to unseat Rogers in November, told WKYT he also wants to see answers.
He sent WKYT the following statement:
“While the outbreak is more than alarming, the reality is that the Republican administration has slashed medical research at unprecedented levels, including massive cuts to the National Institutes of Health.
I certainly agree that we should request assistance, but the reality with the massive budget cuts the National Institutes of Health is so depleted rightfully concerned that they may not be able to assist.
If elected to Congress, I will speak out against the shameful slashing of medical research, something Hal Rogers refuses to do."
See WKYT Investigates’ full coverage of DIPG below:
- WKYT Investigates: Lincoln County toddler continues fight against rare brain cancer as Eastern Kentucky DIPG cases raise concern
- WKYT Investigates: Congressman Hal Rogers discusses concerns about DIPG cases in Southeastern Kentucky
- WKYT Investigates: Laurel County girl defies odds as she fights DIPG
- WKYT Investigates: Family fights to find cure after losing daughter to DIPG
- WKYT Investigates: CDC looking into ‘unusual’ number of DIPG cases in Eastern Kentucky
- WKYT Investigates: Williamsburg mom shares son’s DIPG battle as Southeastern Kentucky cases reach 10
- WKYT Investigates: Kentucky looking into rare pediatric brain cancer cases in Corbin area
- WKYT Investigates: Health officials confirm ‘unusual’ rise in rare pediatric brain tumor cases in Eastern Kentucky
- Rep. Hal Rogers calls on researchers to study rare pediatric cancer cases in Corbin following WKYT Investigates story
- WKYT Investigates: Williamsburg City Council addresses concerns about rare pediatric brain cancer cases
Copyright 2026 WKYT. All rights reserved.
