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
Researchers have identified the first gene mutation associated with a chronic and often fatal form of neuroblastoma that typically strikes adolescents and young adults. The finding provides the first clue about the genetic basis of the long-recognized but poorly understood link between treatment outcome and age at diagnosis.
The study involved 104 infants, children and young adults with advanced neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Investigators discovered the ATRX gene was mutated only in patients age 5 and older. The alterations occurred most often in patients age 12 and older. These older patients were also more likely than their younger counterparts to have a chronic form of neuroblastoma and die years after their disease is diagnosed.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52992-st-jude-pediatric-cancer-genome-project-neuroblastoma-research
Thank You, God, From Kids Around the World is a fun filled, interactive lift the flap book that will delight children and help them appreciate God, celebrate diversity, and understand that they have much to be thankful for in their lives. Discover the things they are grateful for koala bears, northern lights, windmills, and more. Learn about the book here, http://bit.ly/mTHAxT Learn about this author here, http://bit.ly/pVx1Mf Picture Book
Today the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), announced their support for children and families suffering from Sudden Onset Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. They are releasing two new PSAs created to bring awareness and engender change surrounding the disorder PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54781-ocd-foundation-pandas-psa-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and Cord Blood Registry® (CBR) are launching the first FDA-approved, Phase I safety study on the use of cord blood stem cells to treat children with sensorineural hearing loss.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53686-cord-blood-childrens-memorial-hermann-fda-approved-stem-cells-hearing-loss
The NASCAR Foundation today announced “NASCAR Unites,” an industry initiative led by The NASCAR Foundation that creates an opportunity for NASCAR fans, drivers, teams, tracks, sponsors and more to unite to improve the lives of children across the nation. NASCAR Unites engages the sport in a collaborative effort to support children’s causes through fundraising, volunteering, sharing inspirational stories and unifying to make a difference.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/nascarfoundation/49777/
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children, yet nearly one million children are affected. To coincide with National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 21 -27), the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Ad Council are encouraging all families to get their children (ages 0-6) and homes (built before 1978) tested for lead poisoning. To extend this critical health message to caregivers, parents and pregnant women, they redistributed their national Lead Poisoning Prevention public service advertising (PSAs) nationwide.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58497-epa-hud-and-coalition-educates-families-about-childhood-lead-testing
An Extra-Ordinary Beginning, the debut novel by A.D. Winch about a new kind of superhero, is out now. Children and adults around the world who are tired of the stereotypical superhero – white adult male with his underpants outside his trousers – will find this story is for them.
Ursula and Eric are characters readers can relate to and whose super powers are within their reach. Ursula is originally from Africa and promises to be the first significant superhero for girls regardless of colour, nationality or race. In a genre in which girls are seen as side-kicks or sub-plots, along comes a female character who is central to an entire series of books. This is not to say that the internationally educated Eric is irrelevant. There are more than three million students being educated worldwide who now have a hero who shares their experience and can truly be described as a global citizen.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58648-AD-winch-novel-an-extra-ordinary-beginning
The American Lung Association has released an edgy public service advertising (PSA) campaign featuring provocative television, online and out-of-home components to encourage people to download the charity’s new State of the Air® smartphone application, a valuable resource for people living with lung disease like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), people with heart disease or diabetes, as well as older adults and children. This is the first time that a charity has included an app download as the call to action in a nationally distributed PSA.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/55128-american-lung-association-breathe-smarter-psa-air-quality-smartphone-app
Researchers have discovered that a subtype of leukemia characterized by a poor prognosis is fueled by mutations in pathways distinctly different from a seemingly similar leukemia associated with a much better outcome. The findings from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) highlight a possible new strategy for treating patients with this more aggressive cancer.
The work provides the first details of the genetic alterations fueling a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) known as early T-cell precursor ALL (ETP-ALL). The results suggest ETP-ALL has more in common with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than with other subtypes of ALL. The study appears in the January 12 edition of the journal Nature.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/46768-st-jude-cancer-genome-sequencing-project-combat-aggressive-leukemia
Walmart today announced the results of the “Walmart Class of 2012 Back-to-School Survey,” which revealed that 76 percent of moms with children in kindergarten to 12th grade consider back-to-school a time for a fresh start over Jan. 1 – in fact, nine out of ten moms make back-to-school “resolutions” in preparation for the year ahead. With 78 percent of moms planning to get organized this new school year, Walmart today launched Classrooms by Walmart, an online compilation of thousands of classroom supply lists representing schools in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., making it easier for moms to get their back-to-school supplies online and in Walmart stores.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to https://www.multivu.com/mnr/57202-walmart-back-to-school-survey-online-supply-list-classrooms-moms
http://adultadhdtreatmentblog.com/adhd-alternative-treatment/
In recent years, study has brought to light some fairly startling details about using prescription medications to treat ADHD. For this reason, along with other people, many parents are now looking for ADHD alternative treatments for their children. Things like potentially serious side results, unknown long term effects and the increasing expenses of doctor prescribed medications are making an ADHD alternative therapy seem like a better idea each day. In this article, we
