Using Precision Medicine to Improve Pediatric Cancer Treatment
What was once just a concept is now a reality: Precision pediatric cancer care to improve treatment.
Researchers can now sequence all the genes in the genome in an individual patient’s cancer to find gene changes or targets, and then in some cases, identify drugs that match those targets to improve treatment. (A genome includes all the genes in a cell, in this case, a cancer cell.)
This has absolutely transformed how doctors treat children with cancer in some cases.
Schultz & Devidas, Leukemia 2014
What Is Osteosarcoma?
What is osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer in children. It often originates in the long bones of the body that include the thigh bone, the shinbone, or the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow, called the humerus.
While osteosarcoma frequently starts in a particular bone, it can potentially move to other sites in the body, such as the lungs and other bones. This movement, known as metastasis, often makes the disease more difficult to treat.
A type of childhood cancer, osteosarcoma is commonly found in children children, teens, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 30. Patients who are 10-20 years of age account for 60% of osteosarcoma cases.
You can help to find the best treatments for kids with cancer. Donate now to help them grow up and live long, healthy lives >
2021 Infrastructure Grants
Enrollment on a clinical trial is often a child’s best hope for a cure. And every child enrolled on a trial is helping kids in the future to have a better outcome.
Research Outcomes: Advancing Research to Improve Treatment
Your generosity makes a difference for kids with cancer. This edition of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Research Outcomes recognizes research that is making treatments less toxic, evaluating new drugs, and working to prevent late effects. Thank you for making research possible.
St. Baldrick’s and the Children’s Oncology Group: An Ambitious Relationship
Did you know: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation and Children’s Oncology Group have been partners in the fight against childhood cancer since our founding.
What Is Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)?
Dr. Mizukawa is a past St. Baldrick’s Scholar. He explains acute myeloid leukemia symptoms, treatment, and research progress
What is acute myeloid leukemia (AML)?
Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. Leukemia cells divide quickly and fail to mature into normal, functioning blood cells.
Acute leukemia progresses rapidly and is classified into two general subtypes:
- When the cancer affects the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, it is called acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL.
- When the cancer affects other blood cell types, such as red blood cells, platelet-forming cells, and other types of white blood cells, it is called acute myeloid leukemia, or AML.
The Impact of the Dream Team on Childhood Cancers: A Video
The St. Baldrick’s — Stand Up To Cancer Pediatric Dream Team’s innovative and collaborative approach to science is making huge impacts in the world of childhood cancer research.
Research Outcomes: Progress and Hope
Research progress and hope go hand in hand.
Thanks to your continued support, pediatric cancer researchers are making progress towards better treatments and providing hope for more cures. Here are just four examples of the many research outcomes (and reasons for hope!) you have made possible:
What Is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
What is acute lymphoblastic leukemia?
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the white blood cells that normally fight infection. The cells do not grow and develop properly, filling up the bone marrow inside bones, where blood is normally made.
ALL is the most common type of childhood cancer, accounting for 35% of all cancers in children. Each year, there are about 2,900 new cases of children and adolescents diagnosed with ALL in the United States alone.
See how Phineas survived ALL because of research supported by St. Baldrick’s >
Its signs and symptoms resemble other common illnesses, which often leads to other treatments before the leukemia diagnosis is made.
Patient Advocates – A Dream Team Video
Patient advocates play a vital role in the St. Baldrick’s — Stand Up To Cancer Pediatric Dream Team.
Patient advocates help to put a face on childhood cancer research. They humanize why the research is so critically important and translate that incredible work into language that’s more easily understood. Many are parents of kids who have fought cancer and one is a survivor herself. All are working to see the day when no family has to endure what they have.
Join us today to #GiveKidsALifetime!
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