Children's Oncology Group

Larotrectinib, an oral medication inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, shows significant efficacy in young patients with infantile fibrosarcoma (IFS) and other solid tumors with NTRK gene fusion, with an objective response rate of 94% for IFS and 60% for other tumors. This precision medicine approach may revolutionize treatment protocols, potentially minimizing chemotherapy needs in pediatric patients.

Larotrectinib, an oral drug targeting NTRK gene fusion, was highly effective in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed infantile fibrosarcoma or other solid tumors, potentially replacing chemotherapy. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, showed 94% objective response rate in IFS patients and 60% in other solid tumors, with 82.2% and 80% two-year event-free survival respectively.

The Phase III AALL1731 trial showed Blincyto (blinatumomab) significantly improved three-year disease-free survival (DFS) in pediatric patients with standard-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) when added to chemotherapy, with a 61% decrease in relapse risk. The trial's interim analysis led to early termination due to the observed benefit, highlighting Blincyto's potential as a transformative treatment in this patient population.

A clinical trial combining standard chemotherapy with blinatumomab for newly diagnosed B-ALL in children showed a 61% reduction in relapse or death risk, significantly improving disease-free survival rates, marking a new standard of care in childhood cancer treatment.

Adding BLINCYTO® (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with National Cancer Institute (NCI) standard risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with a 3-year DFS of 96%.

Adding BLINCYTO to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival in pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, with a 3-year DFS of 96% compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone.

Adding BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with a 3-year DFS of 96% compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone.

A clinical trial combining chemotherapy with blinatumomab for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) in children showed a 61% reduction in relapse risk, significantly improving disease-free survival rates, marking a new standard of care in childhood cancer treatment.

Adding BLINCYTO (blinatumomab) to chemotherapy significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), with a 3-year DFS of 96% compared to 87.9% with chemotherapy alone.

1000 children aged 0–14 in Australia/New Zealand are diagnosed with cancer annually, with paediatric brain cancers causing 40% of cancer-related deaths despite representing only 14% of diagnoses. Although overall cure rates exceed 80%, many brain tumour types have bleak outlooks, and survivors often face lifelong clinical sequelae. The Australian Brain Cancer Mission (ABCM) and the Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology/Oncology Group (ANZCHOG) have addressed challenges in clinical trial execution, leading to the initiation or expansion of 11 clinical trials. These trials aim to improve survival rates and quality of life for children with aggressive brain cancers, leveraging international collaborations and innovative treatments. Despite progress, challenges remain in funding and resource constraints, necessitating sustained strategic funding and international partnerships to advance paediatric brain cancer research.