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Guest Blog–National Cancer Institute’s CCDI Molecular Characterization Initiative Adds Rare Tumors

Children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with newly diagnosed rare tumors are now eligible to enroll in the CCDI Molecular Characterization Initiative. Rare tumors are childhood cancers that have a low number of patients, which have been hard to study and understand. Potential participants must also be receiving care from a Children’s Oncology Group-affiliated hospital. Enrollment is still also open to children and AYAs with central nervous system tumors and soft tissue sarcomas. The initiative will continue to expand to children and AYAs outside of Children’s Oncology Group–affiliated hospitals, those with other childhood cancers, and those whose cancer has returned. […]

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Guest Blog–National Cancer Institute Launches the CCDI Molecular Targets Platform

The Molecular Targets Platform is an NCI-supported instance of the  Open Targets Platform with a focus on preclinical pediatric oncology data. It is a tool that supports the identification and prioritization of molecular targets expressed in childhood cancers.   The Molecular Targets Platform builds upon the data and functionality of the Open Targets Platform while also including: The FDA Pediatric Molecular Target Lists (FDA PMTL) Analyses of pediatric oncology datasets from the Open Pediatric Cancer (OpenPedCan) project at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) Open Pediatric Brain Tumor Atlas (OpenPBTA) Gabriella Miller Kids […]

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Guest Blog–National Cancer Institute Expands Molecular Characterization Initiative for Childhood Cancer Research

The National Cancer Institute’s new Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI) fosters data sharing in childhood cancer research. The program is expanding comprehensive molecular characterization of tumors to children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with newly diagnosed soft tissue sarcomas receiving care at hospitals affiliated with the Children’s Oncology Group. The DNA and RNA in participants’ tumors are analyzed through this voluntary, free program.  This effort is in addition to the previous cohort that targeted the molecular characterization of newly diagnosed central nervous system tumors in children and AYA patients.   Participants’ tumor and blood samples are analyzed in an accredited lab, with […]

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Guest Blog–National Cancer Institute Launches Molecular Characterization Initiative for Childhood Cancer Research

The National Cancer Institute’s new Molecular Characterization Initiative (MCI) fosters data sharing in childhood cancer research. The program currently offers comprehensive molecular characterization of tumors to children, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs) with newly diagnosed central nervous system tumors receiving care at hospitals affiliated with the Children’s Oncology Group. The DNA and RNA in participants’ tumors are analyzed through this voluntary, free program.    Participants’ tumor and blood samples are analyzed in an accredited lab, with results shared with families and doctors within 21 days. This detailed information about the cancer can be used to make a more precise diagnosis, […]

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CAC2 Member Blog–Delayed Diagnosis for Children with Cancer

By CAC2 Member Susan Guisto (Friends of Cathryn Foundation) and Guest Blogger Judith G. Villablance, MD, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Every year, approximately 1 in 10,500 children from birth to 15 years of age are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Most pediatricians will likely encounter only one to three cases throughout their professional lifetime. Even though a pediatrician may never see a case of cancer in his or her practice, it is important to understand what to look for, how to evaluate patients and to ensure follow-up and timely referrals to specialists. As a result, pediatricians can play [...] Read more

Guest Blog–How Collaboration is Advancing Research and Clinical Care in Pediatric Cancer

By Guest Blogger Dr. Lynne Davies, Operations Manager, International Cancer Research Program   It is with great excitement that I write to let you know about the upcoming webinar scheduled for Monday, April 19th at 10am ET, which aims to capture the very essence of why the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) was created.   ICRP is a unique alliance of cancer organizations working together to enhance global collaboration and strategic coordination of research.  This webinar, entitled “How collaboration is advancing research and clinical care in pediatric cancer,” is jointly organized by ICRP, National Cancer Research Institute Children’s Group and Events […]

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Guest Blog–Let’s Fight This with Food

By Guest Blogger Hilary Woo, Dietetic Intern, Texas Woman’s University Fighting with food has been a motto that I’ve had ever since deciding to pursue a career as a registered dietitian. In fact, the moment I decided to be a dietitian was during a volunteer program in high school at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I’ve always known that I wanted to work in pediatrics in some field whether it be as a nurse, doctor, dietitian, teacher, etc. However, MD Anderson helped me to find my passion in nutrition, and for that reason as well as personally being impacted by cancer through family members, I’ve […]

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Guest Blog–September 9 Virtual Day of Action: How to Get Involved

By Guest Blogger Sarah Milberg, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Today is the day! The childhood cancer community is joining together today to use our collective voice to build support for funding for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, the most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever. Advocates across the childhood cancer community are writing to their members of Congress, posting on social media, and spreading the word to their networks about today’s Virtual Day of Action. If your organization would like to participate, please use these materials so [...] Read more

Guest Blog–Virtual Day of Action: Join Together on September 9

By Guest Blogger Sarah Milberg, Co-Chair of the Alliance for Childhood Cancer and Director of Government Relations and Advocacy for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation For nearly 10 years, childhood cancer advocates from around the country have come to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Childhood Cancer Action Days.  Action Days brings our community together to advocate for important childhood cancer issues currently before Congress.  As a result of our advocacy, we have seen many important childhood cancer policies, like the Childhood Cancer STAR Act, become law.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our plans for Action Days had to change this [...] Read more

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