Researchers have identified the first gene mutation associated with a chronic and often fatal form of neuroblastoma that typically strikes adolescents and young adults. The finding provides the first clue about the genetic basis of the long-recognized but poorly understood link between treatment outcome and age at diagnosis.
The study involved 104 infants, children and young adults with advanced neuroblastoma, a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. Investigators discovered the ATRX gene was mutated only in patients age 5 and older. The alterations occurred most often in patients age 12 and older. These older patients were also more likely than their younger counterparts to have a chronic form of neuroblastoma and die years after their disease is diagnosed.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52992-st-jude-pediatric-cancer-genome-project-neuroblastoma-research
Researchers have discovered that a subtype of leukemia characterized by a poor prognosis is fueled by mutations in pathways distinctly different from a seemingly similar leukemia associated with a much better outcome. The findings from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital — Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) highlight a possible new strategy for treating patients with this more aggressive cancer.
The work provides the first details of the genetic alterations fueling a subtype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) known as early T-cell precursor ALL (ETP-ALL). The results suggest ETP-ALL has more in common with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) than with other subtypes of ALL. The study appears in the January 12 edition of the journal Nature.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/46768-st-jude-cancer-genome-sequencing-project-combat-aggressive-leukemia
New findings from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project (PCGP) have helped identify the mechanism that makes the childhood eye tumor retinoblastoma so aggressive. The discovery explains why the tumor develops so rapidly while other cancers can take years or even decades to form.
The finding also led investigators to a new treatment target and possible therapy for the rare childhood tumor of the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. The study appears in the January 11 advance online edition of the scientific journal Nature.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/46767-st-jude-genome-project-treatment-childhood-eye-tumor-retinoblastoma
To speed progress against cancer and other diseases, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project today announced the largest-ever release of comprehensive human cancer genome data for free access by the global scientific community. The amount of information released more than doubles the volume of high-coverage, whole genome data currently available from all human genome sources combined. This information is valuable not just to cancer researchers, but also to scientists studying almost any disease.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/52993-st-jude-childrens-research-hospital-comprehensive-human-cancer-genome-data
Eighteen years after opening its internationally prominent Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) celebrates 1,000 fetal surgeries – highly complex surgical interventions to repair birth defects in the womb. Approximately 4,000 fetal surgeries have been done worldwide, meaning a quarter of them have been performed at CHOP, the largest number of any hospital in the world.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62038-children-s-hospital-of-philadelphia-celebrates-1000-fetal-surgeries
Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, and recognized six times by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, is once again teaming with Macy’s to produce and sell the 2012 Aflac Holiday duck . This is the twelfth year that Aflac and Macy’s are selling the annual plush duck, with all net proceeds going to support research and treatment for childhood cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58454-aflac-macys-annual-holiday-duck-design-pediatric-cancer-patient-atlanta
Research led by the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project has identified a fusion gene responsible for almost 30 percent of a rare subtype of childhood leukemia with an extremely poor prognosis.
The finding offers the first evidence of a mistake that gives rise to a significant percentage of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) cases in children. AMKL accounts for about 10 percent of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery paves the way for desperately needed treatment advances.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58586-st-jude-children-s-research-hospital-gene-sequencing-childhood-leukemia
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia today announced the largest charitable donation in its history: a landmark $50 million gift from the Buerger family toward the construction of a new state-of-the-art outpatient facility. Currently under construction on the Hospital’s Main Campus in West Philadelphia, the building will be named the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62177-children-s-hospital-of-philadelphia-buerger-center-advanced-pediatric-care
By reprogramming a 7–year–old girl’s own immune cells to attack an aggressive form of childhood leukemia, a pediatric oncologist has achieved a complete response in his patient, who faced grim prospects when she relapsed after conventional treatment. The innovative experimental therapy used bioengineered T cells, custom–designed to multiply rapidly in the patient, and then destroy leukemia cells. After the treatment, the child’s doctors found that she had no evidence of cancer.
To view Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/mnr/50777-chop-engineered-immune-t-cell-therapy-anticancer-effect-in-children
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, announced today the appointment of James R. Downing, M.D., as its new CEO, effective July 15, 2014. Downing most recently has served as the Deputy Director, Executive Vice President and Scientific Director of the hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Downing’s primary focus immediately upon assuming the CEO office will be to oversee a new era of clinical, research and infrastructure expansion throughout the St. Jude global network. He succeeds Dr. William E. Evans, who is retiring from the position after 10 years and returning full time to his long-standing pharmacogenomics research program at St. Jude.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7256651-st-jude-children-s-research-hospital-new-era-of-expansion-and-growth/
For children in hospitals, sometimes the best medicine and moments of joy can come with four paws, a wet nose, and a wagging tail. Today, the Joy in Childhood Foundation, the independent charitable foundation powered by Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins, is launching its Dogs for Joy program to bring in-residence dogs to children’s hospitals nationwide. Dogs in this program are bred and trained as service dogs but “work” full-time in children’s hospitals. Through more than $2M in initial grants the program will dramatically increase the number of in-residence dog programs in pediatric healthcare settings around the country and the prevalence of animal-assisted therapy as part of treatment.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8444851-joy-in-childhood-foundation-unleashes-dogs-for-joy/
Noted pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Kristine Guleserian has opened up her OR, and her career to author Mark Oristano to create Surgeon’s Story Inside OR 6 With a top Pediatric Heart Surgeon. Dr. Guleserian’s life, training and work are discussed in detail, framed around the incredibly dramatic story of a heart transplant operation for a two-year old girl whose own heart was rapidly dying. Find out more at- http://surgeonsstory.com/ Media Contact: For a review copy of Surgeon’s Story or to schedule an interviewwith Mark Oristano, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing, 734 667 2090 scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or http://www.book-marketing-expert.com Medical Non-Fiction
