Find Childhood Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinical Trials for Child Cancer Treatments

Facing cancer in children can be overwhelming, but with the right medical support, children can fight back. When conventional treatments begin to lose their effectiveness, clinical trials for childhood cancer become a valuable alternative. These trials offer new hope in the battle against the disease, potentially improving survival rates and reducing side effects. The ultimate goal is to secure a brighter, healthier future for every child.

What is new in pediatric cancer
treatment?

If you’re seeking treatment options for childhood cancer, we can help. Our advanced artificial intelligence (AI) platform recommends personalized treatment options through oncology and hematology clinical trials, tailored specifically to your child’s condition. Once you send the patient’s details, our children’s cancer and blood specialists will examine the case and contact you.

Why clinical trials?

Precision Medicine: Tailored treatments, like the ones offered in clinical trials, are based on the genetic footprint of tumors. Identifying specific genetic mutations allows for targeted therapies, potentially reducing side effects and improving outcomes.

Reducing Side Effects: Efforts are ongoing to minimize the long-term side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Researchers are exploring novel therapies with fewer adverse effects on growing bodies in order to avoid regular chemotherapy.

Collaborative Research: Collaborations among institutions, researchers, and international consortia have accelerated the development of new treatments and clinical trials.

How Can Massive Bio Help
Children with Cancer?

Massive Bio provides the following services:

Clinical Trial Matching: Our service helps identify innovative pediatric cancer treatments that may be more effective or have fewer side effects than standard options. We specialize in matching pediatric cancer patients with suitable clinical trials.

Access to Experts: The platform connects families with oncology experts who specialize in pediatric cancers. This access ensures that families receive guidance from specialists who understand the nuances and complexities of treating childhood cancers.

Navigating Complexities: Managing this disease can be overwhelming. We support families by providing guidance, resources, and information to navigate the complexities of treatment decisions and available options. If your child is suitable for a clinical trial, we can make this process seamless.

Understanding Childhood Cancer

Childhood cancer, or pediatric cancer, refers to cancers that develop in children and adolescents, typically under the age of 18. These cancers differ from those found in adults, often involving unique types and behaviors that require specialized treatment approaches.

The most common types of pediatric cancers can be broadly categorized into two groups:

Hematologic cancers:Also known as childhood blood cancers, these originate in the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. They disrupt the normal production and function of blood cells, leading to conditions such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.

• Leukemias: Cancers that originate in the blood or bone marrow, disrupting the normal production of blood cells.
• Lymphomas: Cancers that develop in the lymphatic system, affecting the lymph nodes and other parts of the immune system.

 
Solid Tumors: These are masses of cancerous cells that develop in body tissues or organs. Unlike hematologic cancers, solid tumors form lumps or growths in areas such as the brain, bones, muscles, or organs like the kidneys and liver.

• Childhood Brain Cancer: Brain Cancer in children occur in the brain or spinal cord, affecting the central nervous system. Also known as pediatric Brain Cancer.
• Neuroblastoma: Neuroblastoma in children arises from immature nerve cells, typically in the adrenal glands, abdomen, chest, or neck. Also known as pediatric Neuroblastoma.
• Osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer that most often occurs in the long bones of the arms and legs.
• Ewing Sarcoma: A rare cancer that forms in bones or the soft tissue surrounding bones.
• Wilms Tumor: A kidney cancer that primarily affects young children, often presenting as a painless abdominal mass.

Pediatric cancers are biologically distinct and often respond differently to treatments compared to adult cancers. Thankfully, new research and better treatments have greatly increased the number of children surviving cancer in recent years. Early diagnosis and specialized care are critical for the best outcomes.

Stages of Solid Tumors

• Early (Stage 1): The tumor is small and confined to its original location.
• Localized (Stage 2): The tumor has grown but is still limited to one area.
• Locally Advanced (Stage 3): The cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.
• Metastatic (Stage 4): The cancer has spread to distant parts of the body.

This is a general overview of staging classification, but it’s important to note that each type of cancer may have its own specific staging system. Children can join clinical trials at any stage of cancer. These trials provide personalized treatment options that meet the specific needs of each child.

What Does Treated vs. Untreated Solid Tumor Mean?

• Treated Solid Tumor: This is a solid tumor that has been medically treated. The treatments can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. These treatments aim to shrink or remove the cancer cells. Clinical trials for children with treated tumors help test new treatments and track long-term results designed for their specific needs.
• Untreated Solid Tumor: Refers to a solid tumor that has not yet received any form of medical treatment or intervention and remains in its original state since diagnosis. Clinical trials may be offered to pediatric patients with untreated tumors, providing access to innovative treatments as a first-line therapy designed specifically for children.

What Does Resectable (Surgery-Eligible) and Unresectable (Not Surgery-Eligible) Solid Tumor Mean?

• Resectable (Surgery-Eligible) Solid Tumor: A resectable solid tumor is one that can be removed through surgery. This means the tumor is located in a position that allows for complete or partial surgical removal without causing significant harm to surrounding vital structures or organs. Surgery is often considered a primary treatment option for resectable tumors.
• Unresectable (Not Surgery-Eligible) Solid Tumor: An unresectable solid tumor is one that cannot be safely removed through surgery. This could be due to the tumor’s size, location, or its involvement with critical structures that make surgical removal too risky. In these cases, other treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies are typically explored.

We offer clinical trials specifically tailored for children providing access to innovative therapies that may not be available through standard treatment options. Our team is dedicated to guiding through the entire matching process, helping them navigate the complexities of clinical trial enrollment. This support ensures that pediatric patients can explore cutting-edge treatments that could significantly improve their outcomes.

What is an NGS test? Is it important?

NGS stands for Next-Generation Sequencing, a DNA sequencing technology that quickly reads millions of DNA fragments simultaneously, providing a comprehensive view of a person’s genetic. This technology offers detailed genetic information about cancer cells, allowing for more personalized targeted clinical trials for pediatric cancer.

NGS testing helps identify genetic biomarkers—specific genetic mutations within cancer cells—that can guide treatment decisions. For instance, certain genetic mutations may indicate a better response to a particular therapy or open the door to targeted therapies.

NGS testing is considered part of the standard of care for most cancer types. Discuss this with your child’s oncologist to maximize their chances of participating on targeted therapy for childhood cancer that could benefit from this detailed genetic information.

Did you know about ALK-positive solid tumors in
children?

Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) fusion-positive solid tumors can happen in specific types of cancers. The most recognized ALK positive tumors in pediatric patients include:

Rhabdomyosarcoma: A type of cancer that primarily affects children. It develops from soft tissues, particularly muscles, and can occur in various parts of the body. Symptoms depend on the tumor’s location, and treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor (IMT): A rare tumor that can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly in the lungs, abdomen, or pelvis. IMT is often considered benign but can behave like a low-grade cancer. Symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s location, and treatment typically involves surgical removal.

Neuroblastoma: A tumor that predominantly affects children, arising from cells of the nervous system. It primarily affects the adrenal glands but may occur in the abdomen, thoracic, cervical, and pelvic sympathetic ganglia.

Glial Tumors (Low and high grade): A diverse group of tumors that arise from cells in the nervous system and usually occur in children and young adults. These tumors are broadly categorized into low-grade and high-grade based on their aggressiveness.

About treatment for pediatric tumors: standard
vs. novel therapies

Standard treatments typically include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and sometimes stem cell transplants. These Childhood Cancer therapies aim to eliminate cancer while considering the child’s overall well-being. Emerging therapies, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapies, are at the forefront of pediatric cancer research.

Childhood Cancer Trials offer hope for better treatments, improved outcomes, and the advancement of medical knowledge. They provide a pathway to potentially more effective and tailored therapies for children fighting cancer.

Clinical trials offer hope for better treatments, improved outcomes, and the advancement of medical knowledge. They provide a pathway to potentially more effective and tailored therapies for children fighting cancer.

By signing up for our matching program, you’re taking an active role in exploring new possibilities and gaining access to an innovative therapy that can potentially transform your life.