When faced with a child's cancer diagnosis, parents often find themselves navigating uncharted territory. For Mark Younce, whose then 3-year-old daughter Chloe was diagnosed with an embryonal tumor with multi-layered rosettes (ETMR), a rare and aggressive brain cancer, the path forward led to clinical trials.
ETMR tumors are relatively new in pediatric oncology, characterized by rapid growth and unique features that make them resistant to standard brain tumor treatments. The rarity of ETMR means that researchers lack sufficient data to establish definitive treatment approaches. Chloe's care team presented Mark with two options: ACNS0334, the default treatment for pediatric brain tumors involving radiation, and Head Start IV, an intensive chemotherapy-based clinical trial designed to avoid radiation.
Head Start IV: A Focus on Quality of Life
ACNS0334, while established, carried the risk of radiation-induced cognitive damage to Chloe's developing brain. Head Start IV, developed by Dr. Jonathan Findlay, offered a high-dose chemotherapy regimen aimed at preserving cognitive function. Dr. Findlay's work focuses on minimizing the long-term impacts of radiation on children with brain tumors. The trial connected Chloe to a network of specialists who reviewed her case and provided input on her treatment.
"Head Start IV wasn’t just another clinical trial... Knowing that Chloe would be part of a trial created by someone so respected, with a focus on preserving not only life but quality of life, gave me the assurance I needed to make this choice," Mark explained.
Personalized Care within a Trial Framework
During Head Start IV, Chloe's care team demonstrated flexibility and compassion, adjusting the protocol to meet her specific needs. For example, after a traumatic spinal tap, doctors petitioned the trial's oversight board to allow MRIs alone to monitor her remission, sparing her from additional spinal taps. The team also made the decision to cancel the third round of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant to ensure Chloe’s safety.
DFMO: Preventing Recurrence
As Head Start IV concluded, another clinical trial, Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), emerged as an option. DFMO focuses on preventing cancer recurrence by inhibiting tumor growth. Chloe's participation in the DFMO trial contributes to a growing body of evidence that could establish DFMO as a standard preventive measure for pediatric cancer survivors.
"Every scan, every test result and every milestone Chloe reaches contributes data to a growing body of evidence that is establishing DFMO as a standard preventive measure for pediatric cancer survivors," Mark shared. "This trial benefits Chloe, but it also relies on her journey to inform the care of countless others."
The Evolving Landscape of Pediatric Cancer Treatment
Chloe's journey highlights the importance of clinical trials in treating rare and aggressive cancers like ETMR. These trials offer access to cutting-edge treatments, personalized care, and a network of experts dedicated to improving outcomes for children with cancer. Clinical trials are not just research experiments; they represent a commitment to finding safer, more effective ways to help children survive and thrive.
