All posts tagged: Research

Thankful and Fearful

By CAC2 Individual Member Joe Baber Because of my grandson, Conor, a neuroblastoma survivor, I have met so many people in our childhood cancer community who want to improve the outcomes of children fighting cancer. We either have children in treatment for cancer or have children who are survivors or have died because of it.  We’re all thankful when there are lifesaving therapies and at the very same time, we are fearful of relapse, side effects of the drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and even death.  These contrary and parallel emotions seem to be linked in partnership throughout the childhood cancer […]

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CAC2 Webinar–Multimorbidity from Surviving Childhood Cancer: Using Data to Improve Shared Decision-Making

In our December CAC2 All-Member webinar, Mariah Forster Olson (Neuroblastoma Children's Cancer Society) represented the CAC2 Survivorship Interest Group and hosted Nickhill Bhakta, MD, MPH. Dr. Bhakta.  Dr. Bhakta discussed why the academic approach of thinking about one childhood cancer with one treatment exposure with one chronic condition is not a realistic way of solving long-term disease burden experienced by survivors.  He discussed his work and efforts to engage survivorship groups to guide relevant and meaningful improvements in decision-making between all stakeholders involved in the healthcare of the survivor. Read more

CAC2 Webinar–Liquid Biopsy for Early Cancer Detection in Patients with Cancer Predisposition Syndromes

In April's CAC2 All-Member Webinar, Dr. Brian D. Crompton (pediatric oncologist at Dana Farber/Boston Children's Hospital) and CAC2 Member Greg Harper (Living LFS) presented about the possibilities with emerging technology identifying circulating cancer cells with liquid biopsies, using Li-Fraumeni Syndrome as a case study. The presentation below described the investigation into a liquid biopsy for Li-Fraumeni Syndrome patients and the EDISYN consortium and how nonprofits partnering with medical research centers to help empower patients and families. Read more

CAC2 Webinar–20 Years of Neuroblastoma Research Progress

Have you wondered what has driven the progress in treating relapsed and refectory neuroblastoma patients?  If so, you may be interested in watching our November All-Member Webinar.  CAC2 Member Gavin Lindberg (EVAN Foundation) hosted a speaker program that included Drs. Kate Matthay, Judy Villablanca, and Steve DuBois speaking on:  20 Years of Neuroblastoma Research Progress. These leaders of the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium informed the audience about the progress and challenges associated with developing new strategies for refractory and relapsed neuroblastoma patients. We also learned about the history of this 20 year-old, multi-institution network, their collaborations with the Children’s [...] Read more

CAC2 Webinar–Pediatric Cancer Data Commons: A Story of Impact and Promise

Have you heard of the ways in which data science is advancing pediatric cancer research?  You may be interested in watching our October All-Member Webinar. CAC2 Member Mariah Forster Olson (Neuroblastoma Cancer research Foundation) introduced Dr. Sam Volchenboum, who spoke about his work leading the Pediatric Cancer Data Commons at the University of Chicago Medicine.  During the presentation Volchenboum highlighted the ways in which data science is advancing pediatric cancer research and discussed how this work can be influential for cancer survivors.  He was gracious enough to answer the many questions posed by our members. Dr. Volchenboum graciously allowed us [...] Read more

International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Moves Congress Online

On behalf of the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), please note that SIOP 2020 will take place as a virtual congress on the same dates: October 14-17, 2020.  Additionally, Late-Breaking Abstract Submission is open until August 26, allowing everyone to share their research from wherever they are based.   SIOP 2020 Virtual Congress October 14-17, 2020 www.siop-congress.org   In light of the continuing uncertainty about the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided to transform SIOP 2020 into a virtual congress, taking place on the same dates: October 14-17, 2020. With updated registration rates starting from EUR 25, […]

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Phase III Pediatric Brain Tumor Clinical Trial Collaboration

Everybody is worried these days.  We have witnessed toilet paper hoarding and other behaviors that make us feel vulnerable and alone.  That's why we would like to hold up and highlight some fabulous Member Collaborations.   One recent collaboration between two CAC2 members really brings this story of hope in the midst of worry during Coronavirus as these two organizations, The Taylor Matthews Foundation and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation found a way to support funding for a Phase III clinical trial. Here's the story in their words: "As you may recall, The Taylor Matthews Foundation first linked arms with PBTF [...] Read more

CAC2 Webinar–Cancer in Children with Birth Defects: What Can We Learn from Population-Based Studies 

Our April CAC2 All-Member webinar hosted by Donna Ludwinski (Solving Kids Cancer) introduced Drs. Jeremy Schraw and Philip Lupo of Baylor College of Medicine who spoke about their research on nonchromosomal cancer predisposition. Studies show that birth defects are one of the strongest risk factors for cancer in children, but who is at risk and why? To address these questions, the presenters performed the largest investigation of cancer risk in children with birth defects to date. They discussed how a child’s risk of cancer relates to the type and number of birth defects they are diagnosed with, evidence for possible genetic and [...] Read more

Joint Webinar Presentation: The Pandemic’s Impact on the Pediatric Cancer Research Landscape

Solving Kids’ Cancer and Max Cure Foundation offered a joint webinar: The Pandemic’s Impact on the Pediatric Cancer Research Landscape Timothy P. Cripe, Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital moderated the session that featured an all-star line-up: Peter Adamson, MD – former Chair, Children’s Oncology Group (COG) and current Global Head, Oncology Development & Pediatric Innovation, Sanofi Mark Kieran, MD, PhD – Pediatric Clinical Trial Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb Jeffery J. Auletta, MD – Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program and the Host Defense and Immunocompromised Infectious Diseases Program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Carol Thiele, Ph.D, […]

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Guest Blog–Kids First Second Chance: Engaging the Community in Fostering Pediatric Genomics Research

By Guest blogger Valerie Cotton, Kids First Program Manager, NICHD Childhood cancers and structural birth defects have profound, lifelong effects on children and their families. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life, and cancer remains the leading cause of childhood disease-related mortality beyond the first year of life, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, a child born with a birth defect is at a higher risk for childhood cancer, suggesting these conditions may be caused by shared genetic pathways. However, limited data and resources are available to investigate potential genetic [...] Read more