A retrospective study shows that more intense ALL therapy improves outcomes in adolescents and young adults. This treatment option was developed by “pediatric-inspired protocols” and showed improved event-free, relapse-free survival for Philadelphia chromosome-negative acute lymphocytic leukemia. Autolus Therapeutics announced the publication of data from the AUTO1/22 Phase 1 study (CARPALL) in Pediatric B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia where 83% of patients achieved MRD negative, indicating a significant reduction in disease burden. The Seattle-based drugmaker Seagen will team up with CAC2 Supporting Organization Nurix to develop degrader-antibody conjugates (DAC), in a bid to combine their expertise in ADCs and protein degradation. A reminder of progress: The immunotherapy drug atezolizumab (Tecentriq) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) less than a year ago for the treatment of adults and children 2 years and older with ASPS that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be removed by surgery.

Upcoming Webinars, Online Opportunities, and Meetings:

Join the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative’s (CCDI’s) first Community Forum on September 11 at 2:00 ET, as it brings together experts, researchers, and community members to discuss CCDI progress and what’s on the horizon for the initiative. Learn more and register

Triage Cancer will offer a webinar on Medicare 101 on September 13 at 1:00 ET about Learn about the different “Parts” of Medicare, supplemental plans, decisions to make during open enrollment, and how it works with other insurance. We’ll close with a hands-on workshop to compare Medicare plans using Triage Cancer’s Medicare Options Comparison Worksheet. Learn more and register.

In honor of September Pediatric Cancer Awareness month, the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative will present a webinar on Thursday, September 14 at 11:00 ET that will focus on topics including the latest Wisconsin pediatric cancer data, research updates, and resources and programs available in Wisconsin. Learn more and register.

Zoefia Alexandria Green Heart Gala, beautiful night of elegance and celebration to raise funds and awareness for Childhood Cancer/ Brain Cancer, September 15 at 7:00 pm ET. Learn more and register.

As part of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month programming, MACC Fund will host Swingin’ in September, at the Par 3 Baths Course which is located within Black Wolf Run at Destination Kohler. Learn more and register. The co-chairs of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus will host the 14th Annual Childhood Cancer Summit on Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Everyone is invited. All RSVPs should be directed to McKayla Montgomery at mckayla.montgomery@mail.house.gov. Registration for CureFest 2023 is now open! Register today at: www.curefestusa.org

Join top scientific experts, clinicians, researchers, NCI, childhood cancer foundations and advocates, agency officials, and many more for the Inaugural Childhood Cancer Prevention Symposium. This ground breaking meeting will take place at Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus in Washington, DC on October 25-26th, 2023. (Registration and meeting details forthcoming shortly).

Recent Recordings:

National Brain Tumor Society presents Managing Quality of Life Care in Pediatric Brain Tumors.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s Crazy 8 Initiative funds research into innovative and rigorous approaches that directly address the most intractable issues in pediatric cancer research today. Project teams of cross-disciplinary scientists work collaboratively, accelerating the pace of new cure discovery, and each grant will provide funding for large-scale collaborative projects in the $1-5 million range. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, National Cancer Institute leaders Dr. Nirali Shah and Dr. Christine Heske from the Center for Cancer Research break down some of the novel new therapy developments targeting b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other rare cancers that affect children.

Take Action:

Pediatric Cancer legislation needs your support. Learn more about how to support the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, the Sawyer Finn ACT, Comprehensive Cancer Survivor Act, Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act,and the Give Kids a Chance Act. Submit your child’s photo for the CureFest Tribute Wall. To help spread the word about the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative (CCDI), the National Cancer Institute has created a communications toolkit with a CCDI overview flyer, a one-pager with frequently asked questions about the CCDI Data Ecosystem, and sample social media posts and graphics. Access the toolkit, and feel free to reference, copy, and use its content for inspiration.