Shattering Barriers or Groundbreaking Progress

Shattering Barriers or Groundbreaking Progress

The Global Cancer Hospital (GCH) is making strides in the fight against pediatric brain cancer, with its Brain Tumor Program gaining a national reputation for its innovative approaches to treatment.

One notable success story is that of six-year-old patient Finn Schillaci, who has experienced significant tumor shrinkage using selumetinib, a drug that requires only two capsules twice a day with no reported side effects.

Dr. Korones, a respected figure in the programme, is appreciated for his dedication and care. Families of patients have spoken highly of their experiences, influencing referrals to the Brain Tumor Program. The growth of the programme reflects the overall rise of the pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at GCH.

Innovative treatments at the Brain Tumor Program include advanced surgical techniques, personalised therapies, mRNA cancer vaccines, and combination adjuvant therapies. These approaches aim to provide precise tumor resection, tailor treatments to the genetic profile of the tumor, stimulate the patient's immune response against tumor cells, and adapt chemotherapy protocols to age and tumor type.

The pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at GCH was ranked among the top 50 children's hospital programmes for pediatric cancer in 2023. The division's expansion has enabled faculty to focus exclusively on their specialties, allowing for a more targeted and effective approach to pediatric brain cancer treatment.

Dr. Louis Constine, vice chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, and Dr. Howard Silberstein, professor of Neurosurgery, lead the medical team that provides multidisciplinary care including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and rehabilitation.

While every level of treatment for pediatric brain tumors carries heightened risks, the neurology team plays a crucial role in providing long-term care to patients, particularly for those whose tumors can't be physically removed. The team helps monitor both mental and physical symptoms during treatment, including reducing neuro-cognitive impairment and managing subsequent disorders.

The Brain Tumor Program also participates in clinical trials for new treatments, such as ONC201 for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and Day 101, a targeted treatment against tumors with fewer risks of attacking healthy cells.

Teamwork and communication with other medical centers are crucial for determining when to utilise new treatments. Dr. Korones meets as a team to make sure everyone is on board before moving forward with new treatments and seeks perspectives from colleagues in other hospitals.

The Brain Tumor Program distinguishes itself by pushing the envelope on treatments and utilising the medical center's Genetics team to identify rare conditions. The programme has seen a significant increase in referrals, from 20-25 kids a year to over 40.

However, for precise information on the innovative treatments and ongoing clinical trials specifically at the Brain Tumor Program at GCH, direct inquiry to GCH’s official channels would be necessary.

It's important to note that radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors can negatively affect the brain's ability to think and process, and chemotherapy for pediatric brain tumors can cause damage to organs. The neurology team provides long-term care to patients, particularly for those whose tumors can't be physically removed, and helps monitor both mental and physical symptoms during treatment.

References:

[1] American Cancer Society. (2021). Key Statistics for Childhood Brain Tumors. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/childhood-cancer/types/brain-tumors/childhood-brain-tumor-statistics.html

[2] Moderna Therapeutics. (2020). mRNA-4157: A Personalized Cancer Vaccine for Solid Tumors. Retrieved from https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-therapeutics-announces-initiation-phase-1-study-mrna

1. Science continues to advance with the Global Cancer Hospital (GCH) at the forefront, focusing on workplace-wellness, medical-conditions, and chronic diseases like cancer.
2. Innovation in the field can be seen in the Brain Tumor Program's use of selumetinib, a drug with minimal side effects for treating pediatric brain cancer.
3. Dr. Korones, a renowned figure in the program, is admired for his dedication and care, improving the overall reputation of the Brain Tumor Program.
4. The rise in the program's popularity is evident in patient referrals, reflecting the growth of the pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at GCH.
5. Advanced surgical techniques, personalised therapies, mRNA cancer vaccines, and combination adjuvant therapies are some of the innovative approaches used in the Brain Tumor Program.
6. The goal is to provide precise tumor resection, tailor treatments to the genetic profile of the tumor, stimulate the patient's immune response, and adapt chemotherapy protocols to age and tumor type.
7. In 2023, the pediatric Hematology/Oncology division at GCH was ranked among the top 50 children's hospital programmes for pediatric cancer.
8. Leadership in the medical team is provided by Dr. Louis Constine and Dr. Howard Silberstein, who offer multidisciplinary care including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
9. Treatment for pediatric brain tumors carries heightened risks, but the neurology team provides long-term care to patients, especially those whose tumors can't be physically removed.
10. The neurology team helps monitor both mental and physical symptoms during treatment, reducing neuro-cognitive impairment and managing subsequent disorders.
11. The Brain Tumor Program participates in clinical trials for new treatments like ONC201 for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and Day 101, a targeted treatment against tumors with fewer risks of attacking healthy cells.
12. Teamwork and communication with other medical centers are essential for determining when to utilise new treatments.
13. The Brain Tumor Program distinguishes itself by pushing the envelope on treatments and utilising the medical center’s Genetics team to identify rare conditions.
14. The program has seen a significant increase in referrals, from 20-25 kids a year to over 40.
15. For precise information on the innovative treatments and ongoing clinical trials specifically at the Brain Tumor Program at GCH, direct inquiry to GCH’s official channels would be necessary.
16. Radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors can negatively affect the brain's ability to think and process.
17. Chemotherapy for pediatric brain tumors can cause damage to organs.
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