A pill designed to zero in on abnormal genes that drive specific cancers has produced encouraging early results in children with an uncommon but aggressive type of lymphoma, as well as in children with a rare form of neuroblastoma.
A phase 1 clinical trial of the drug crizotinib achieved remissions, with minimal side effects, for 10 of the children participating in a clinical study carried out by the multicenter Children’s Oncology Group (COG). The results were “an exciting proof-of-principle” for the targeted treatment, said the study leader, Yaël P. Mossé, M.D., a pediatric oncologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
“We are entering a new era of cancer therapy, in which we use knowledge of basic biology to design very specific drugs that target cancer cells with potentially less side effects on healthy tissue,” said Mossé. “In addition, as we concentrate on targets in molecular pathways, we move away from an exclusive focus on one form of cancer to customizing treatments according to biological activity. Abnormal ALK activity occurs in subtypes of neuroblastoma and subtypes of lymphoma, so identifying ALK activity in individual patients may enable us to provide the most effective care.”
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50776-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-lymphoma-neuroblastoma-oncology-gene-trial
Noted pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Kristine Guleserian has opened up her OR, and her career to author Mark Oristano to create Surgeon’s Story Inside OR 6 With a top Pediatric Heart Surgeon. Dr. Guleserian’s life, training and work are discussed in detail, framed around the incredibly dramatic story of a heart transplant operation for a two-year old girl whose own heart was rapidly dying. Find out more at- http://surgeonsstory.com/ Media Contact: For a review copy of Surgeon’s Story or to schedule an interviewwith Mark Oristano, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing, 734 667 2090 scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or http://www.book-marketing-expert.com Medical Non-Fiction
On October 21st, 2011, Lancôme invites customers to experience the “Beauty of Giving” by celebrating Genes Day, a one-day national event Lancôme began in 2010 to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases. On this day, Lancôme will donate $7 from the sale of every bottle of Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate to St. Jude. (This is in addition to special promotions and events nationwide surrounding Genes Day throughout the month of October.)
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52300-lancome-genes-day-2011-st-jude-julia-roberts-genifique-beauty-of-giving
Changes in the treatment of pediatric cancer over recent decades have translated to a reduced risk of serious, long-term late health effects of cancer therapy. This is according to the latest analysis from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), a National Cancer Institute-funded resource for late-effects research, led by investigators at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“This is the first comprehensive study to demonstrate how changes in treatments over time have impacted the occurrence of late effects experienced by childhood cancer survivors,” said Todd Gibson, Ph.D., assistant member of the Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control at St. Jude. “We found the 15-year cumulative incidence of people reporting at least one severe health condition decreased from 12.7 percent among childhood cancer survivors diagnosed in the 1970s to 10.1 percent for those diagnosed in the 1980s to 8.8 percent in the 1990s–a statistically significant decline.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7924756-st-jude-childhood-cancer-survivorship-asco-2017/
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients who completed kindergarten during their treatment for pediatric cancers celebrated at a graduation ceremony.
For the 10th straight year, St. Jude honored 14 patients from around the United States who completed kindergarten while battling life-threatening illnesses like leukemia and brain tumors. Dozens of families and St. Jude doctors, nurses, and staff cheered for the young students, who completed kindergarten in the St. Jude School Program by Chili’s.
Each year, the school program commemorates students who have completed kindergarten coursework with a special ceremony. The children present a song for the families and St. Jude staff, receive their diplomas and celebrate the milestone with their fellow students.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/7924755-st-jude-celebrates-kindergarten-graduation/
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, announced today the appointment of James R. Downing, M.D., as its new CEO, effective July 15, 2014. Downing most recently has served as the Deputy Director, Executive Vice President and Scientific Director of the hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Downing’s primary focus immediately upon assuming the CEO office will be to oversee a new era of clinical, research and infrastructure expansion throughout the St. Jude global network. He succeeds Dr. William E. Evans, who is retiring from the position after 10 years and returning full time to his long-standing pharmacogenomics research program at St. Jude.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7256651-st-jude-children-s-research-hospital-new-era-of-expansion-and-growth/
Doctors at Qatar’s first specialist women’s and children’s hospital Sidra Medicine have successfully separated conjoined twins, marking a first for the country. The surgery establishes an alternative for patients who previously had limited choices for the successful treatment and care of complex pediatric diseases in the region.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8422651-conjoined-twins-find-new-lease-on-life/
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia today announced the largest charitable donation in its history: a landmark $50 million gift from the Buerger family toward the construction of a new state-of-the-art outpatient facility. Currently under construction on the Hospital’s Main Campus in West Philadelphia, the building will be named the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62177-children-s-hospital-of-philadelphia-buerger-center-advanced-pediatric-care
To speed progress against cancer and other diseases, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project today announced the largest-ever release of comprehensive human cancer genome data for free access by the global scientific community. The amount of information released more than doubles the volume of high-coverage, whole genome data currently available from all human genome sources combined. This information is valuable not just to cancer researchers, but also to scientists studying almost any disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52993-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-comprehensive-human-cancer-genome-data
Research led by the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified a fusion gene responsible for almost 30 percent of a rare subtype of childhood leukemia with an extremely poor prognosis.
The finding offers the first evidence of a mistake that gives rise to a significant percentage of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) cases in children. AMKL accounts for about 10 percent of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery paves the way for desperately needed treatment advances.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58586-st-jude-children-s-research-hospital-gene-sequencing-childhood-leukemia
Researchers studying the genetic roots of the most common malignant childhood brain tumor have discovered missteps in three of the four subtypes of the cancer that involve genes already targeted for drug development.
At its annual meeting of more than 10,000 financial representatives and staff members today, Northwestern Mutual announced its new multi-year philanthropic program to fight childhood cancer. The effort, through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, builds upon the company’s legacy of helping children and families. It leverages Northwestern Mutual’s field force throughout the country to implement a range of community events and programs to raise awareness and money for pediatric cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53645-northwestern-mutual-philanthropic-campaign-pediatric-cancer-research
