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Clinical research tools in pediatric oncology: challenges and opportunities

Teresa de Rojas1, Anouk Neven2, Alexander J Towbin3,4

  • 1Medical Department, EORTC Headquarters, Av. E. Mounier 83/11, 1200, Brussels, Belgium. teresa.derojas@eortc.org.

Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|January 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric cancer survival has improved, but outcomes for tough cases need better tools. International efforts are adapting adult oncology research tools for children to advance pediatric cancer care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Clinical Trial Methodology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Childhood cancer survival rates have risen dramatically.
  • Progress has stalled for challenging pediatric cancers.
  • Reducing long-term side effects is a priority with high cure rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review international efforts in adapting adult oncology tools for pediatric use.
  • To address the need for validated tools in pediatric clinical trials.
  • To discuss challenges in applying adult research methodologies to childhood cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of ongoing international initiatives.
  • Focus on adapting tools for toxicity assessment, quality of life, radiological response, statistical methods, and care quality indicators.
  • Discussion of challenges in pediatric adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Ongoing validation and adaptation of adult-developed tools for pediatric oncology.
  • Identification of key areas requiring specific pediatric adaptation.
  • Highlighting remaining challenges in the process.

Conclusions:

  • Adapting adult oncology tools is crucial for advancing pediatric cancer research.
  • International collaboration is key to validating and implementing these tools.
  • These efforts aim to accelerate progress and enhance the quality of pediatric oncology clinical trials.
Keywords:
AYA oncologyCTCAEChildhood cancerQuality assuranceQuality of lifeRECIST

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