Search
Research
Population-level 5-year event-free survival for children with cancer in AustraliaEvent-free survival considers other adverse events in addition to mortality. It therefore provides a more complete understanding of the effectiveness and consequences of treatment than standard survival measures, but is rarely reported at the population level for childhood cancer.
Research
ONC201 in Combination with Paxalisib for the Treatment of H3K27-Altered Diffuse Midline GliomaDiffuse midline gliomas (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), are the most lethal of childhood cancers. Palliative radiotherapy is the only established treatment, with median patient survival of 9 to 11 months. ONC201 is a DRD2 antagonist and ClpP agonist that has shown preclinical and emerging clinical efficacy in DMG.
Research
A novel transcriptional signature identifies T-cell infiltration in high-risk paediatric cancerMolecular profiling of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) has enabled the rational choice of immunotherapies in some adult cancers. In contrast, the TIME of paediatric cancers is relatively unexplored. We speculated that a more refined appreciation of the TIME in childhood cancers, rather than a reliance on commonly used biomarkers such as tumour mutation burden (TMB), neoantigen load and PD-L1 expression, is an essential prerequisite for improved immunotherapies in childhood solid cancers.
Research
'Walking their walk': Reducing conflict between families of ill children and the medical professionI review recent high-profile court cases to underscore the changing landscape of conflict and the central role that the media (and social media in particular) can play
Research
IDH mutant high-grade gliomasGliomas are the most common type of malignant primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality in children and adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients. The discovery of mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes has dramatically changed the classification and understanding of gliomas. IDH mutant gliomas have distinct clinical, pathological, and molecular features including a favorable prognosis and response to therapy compared to their wildtype counterparts.
Research
Long-Term Outcome of Young Infants With Suspected Neuroblastoma following Observation as Primary Therapy: A Report From the Children's Oncology GroupSeveral studies have established that patients with localized perinatal neuroblastoma can be safely observed; however, long-term outcomes have not been previously reported. We evaluated long-term outcomes of infants with suspected perinatal neuroblastoma enrolled on the Children's Oncology Group ANBL00P2, which included an expectant observation approach.
Research
Comments and Controversies in Oncology: The Tribulations of Trials Developing ONC201Our international team highlights issues with efficacy reports in several studies on DMG with the new drug ONC201.
Research
Radiographic and visual response to the type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in children with relapsed/refractory optic pathway glioma in the FIREFLY-1 trialDue to their anatomical locations, optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) can rarely be cured by resection. Given the importance of preserving visual function, we analyzed radiological and visual acuity (VA) outcomes for the type II RAF inhibitor tovorafenib in the OPG subgroup of the phase 2 FIREFLY-1 trial.
Research
“If you build it, they will come”: the convergence of funding, research and collaboration in paediatric brain cancer clinical trialsEach year, approximately 1000 children in Australia and New Zealand, aged 0–14 years, are diagnosed with cancer. Despite paediatric cancer accounting for less than 1% of all cancer cases, the impact on their families and communities is profound and disproportionate.
Research
In their own words: advice from parents of children with cancerApproximately 770 children are diagnosed with cancer in Australia every year. Research has explored their experiences and developed recommendations for improving support provided to families. These have included the provision of psychology services, improved communication between healthcare professionals and parents, and increased information for families.