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Assorted News from the Last Week: In March last year, the CCDI Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI) launched. Since then, it has opened enrollment to children, adolescents, and young adults newly diagnosed with central nervous system tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, and rare tumors—with plans to expand. Results have been returned to more than 750 participants. Prediction models for kidney failure in long-term survivors of childhood cancer Researchers have developed a new drug delivery approach that uses nanoparticles to enable more effective and targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs to treat brain tumors in children National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a first-of-its-kind, [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching a first-of-its-kind, public-private partnership to bring clinical and patient navigation support to families facing childhood cancer. About 20% of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) experience refractory disease or relapse, despite receiving intensive therapy. Leukemia stem cells (LSC) have the ability to evade chemotherapy and propagate the disease leading to chemoresistance and relapse. Therefore, treatment options that are able to eliminate LSCs are likely to be more effective in prolonging disease- free survival. The Government Accountability Office released early results of the Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: Investigators have found that socioeconomic deprivation, the presence of modifiable chronic health conditions, and frailty may all independently be associated with increased rates of late mortality among pediatric cancer survivors, according to a new study published by Ehrhardt et al in JAMA Network Open. The findings demonstrated that treating chronic health conditions alone may be inadequate to improve survivors’ life spans without policies to improve local environments. A team of almost 30 experts has compiled the first-ever guidelines on monitoring children for heart damage during cancer treatment. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: Microchip disruption due to the pandemic is trickling down to impact access to hearing aids. Pediatric cancer survivors appeared at increased risk for late mortality associated with modifiable chronic health conditions, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open. Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma protocols should include more detailed imaging guidelines. Access matters: lack of resources is associated with increased mortality in childhood cancer survivors. Upcoming Webinars, Online Opportunities, and Meetings: We are pleased to invite CAC2 members, associate members, student members, and supporting organizations to our February CAC2 All-Member webinar:  Pediatric Cancer Advocacy In Your [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: National Cancer Institute (NCI) is launching the Childhood Cancer – Data Integration for Research, Education, Care, and Clinical Trials (CC-DIRECT) to support children and Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with cancer throughout their cancer journey; provide patient navigation support to families seeking information and optimal care; facilitate research participation; and establish a portable, shareable, standardized cancer health record. This means families facing childhood cancer can reach out for support and get connected to excellent care and the opportunity to participate in research through clinical trials and data sharing initiatives. There are limited therapies available [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: Reporting by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, in partnership with STAT, reveals that at least a dozen brands of asparaginase for treatment of ALL have been proven to be poor quality.  Ten of them are still on the market. In some cases brands fell well below the standard needed to treat cancer. Many have also been found to contain contaminants such as bacteria that could be harmful to patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) clinical practice guidelines for adolescent and young adult oncology have been updated to include Pedmark, a sodium thiosulfate injection, [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: More about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the drug brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of some children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma. A clinical trial has resulted in the first approval of a treatment for advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS). The NCI Childhood Cancer Data Initiative now includes 46 new data sets with the addition of the GEO, CLIC, PROSPR, ScPCA, and VPCC.  Another resource, "Analytical Tool," has also been added. Clinicians and scientists at the International PPB/DICER1 registry have just published their series of 205 [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: Canadian physicians have successfully used an MRI-guided ultrasound to deliver chemotherapy to an inoperable DIPG brain tumor in a child – a world-first for this type of technology. CAR T-Cells for cure in pediatric B-ALL (editorial) Cumulative anesthesia exposure linked to impaired neurocognitive function in pediatric ALL Outdoor artificial light at night and air pollution studied as risks of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia Upcoming Webinars, Online Opportunities, and Meetings: Join the ACCELERATE group On February 9 & 10 for this hybrid meeting.  In person attendees will meet in a completely new venue in Brussels to [...] Read more

Assorted News from the Last Week: Day One Biopharmaceuticals shared data recently that a targeted therapy shrank tumors by at least 50% in a majority of children with the most common form of pediatric brain cancer (pediatric low-grade glioma). President Joe Biden signed the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act - which aims to improve childhood cancer research and care through survivorship. A clinical trial has resulted in the first approval of a treatment for advanced alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS). The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults [...] Read more