Developing novel treatments for childhood solid cancers

Abstract

Developing novel treatments for childhood solid cancers With a particular focus on glioma, Dr Peter J Houghton from Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute outlines the barriers that have hindered the development of effective therapies for childhood solid cancers. Childhood cancer represents less than 1% of human cancers, thus, is not a priority for drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the consequences of having a child diagnosed with a malignant disease can be devastating for families. Developing new therapies for childhood solid cancers presents certain constraints that are seldom encountered with neoplastic diseases diagnosed in adults. Childhood tumours are rare, which has therefore restricted large-scale drug evaluations or randomised clinical trials. For example, of the new Phase I agents evaluated in adult malignancies, less than 30% receive an adequate assessment in children.