A new breakthrough in pediatric cancer gets researchers one step closer to finding a cure
A new discovery in childhood cancer could be the next step in learning how to best fight and treat a challenging pediatric cancer. New research from Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, funded by the Starr Children’s Fund and Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, shows that cancer genes thought to be on at constant high levels might vary in being on or off depending on the phase of cell duplication. This pediatric cancer discovery, which has been published in Leukemia Research, creates more opportunities to learn critical subsequent information in the fight against cancer in children.
Inspired by a boy named Gus Frank who was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma at 6-years-old, Childhood Cancer Therapy Development Institute’s research focused specifically on pediatric cancer patients with sarcoma. Sarcoma is an uncommon group of cancer that occurs in the bones and soft tissue. The research program is led by Scientific Director Charles Keller, MD, and focuses on gene mutations and the origins of a tumor at a cellular level.
“Gus’ optimism and grit were an inspiration to our team – and with the Starr and Vince Lombardi funding, we were able to follow Gus’ example to address one of the many unmet needs in pediatric cancer research,” said Dr. Keller.
Cancer is the number one cause of death by disease among children; yet only 4% of the $5.94 billion that is annually spent on cancer research and treatments are directed towards treating pediatric cancer.*
Dr. Keller and his team have been working to answer one of the most common questions from cancer patients: “Why did this cancer start, and how can we stop it?” Their research into gene mutations, the origins of a tumor and whether cancer genes turn on and off could lead to better treatment in pediatric cancer.
Originally receiving their two-year grant from the Starr Children’s Fund and Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation in 2020 and 2021, the research team shared in a quarterly grant report how positive they were about the progress they were making.
"We're excited about our data thus far, which foregoes certain assumptions in the field and takes an objective look at how we view childhood and adult cancers driven by fusion cancer mutations,” said research associate Reshma Purohit.
The research finding was officially published in March of 2023. While this new research provides more knowledge in the fight against pediatric cancers, it is important to note that it is not determined if this phenomenon extends to other cancers beyond rhabdomyosarcoma and the CML form of leukemia.
The study was funded by the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation and the Starr Children's Fund through donations received in 2019-2021. The Starr Children’s Fund was created by the late Bart Starr, legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback, and his wife Cherry. It is devoted to raising funds specifically for childhood cancer research and treatments.
The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation awarded three grants in 2021, including one through the Starr Children’s Fund to Childhood Cancer Therapy Development Institute. In total, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation funded $297,500 in grant requests that year.
To learn more about grant funding opportunities through the Starr Children’s Fund and Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, visit lombardifoundation.org/grant-funding.
