First of all, the news is good. Around 90 percent of children with leukemia survive their illness today. But many pay a high price for their lives. Heart problems, growth disorders and learning difficulties often accompany them for decades. Although aggressive chemotherapy saves lives, it leaves scars. Researchers in Dresden are working to ensure that future generations no longer have to endure this burden.
"Our goal is to effectively cure children with leukemia without causing them long-term damage through highly toxic therapies," says Prof. Denis Schewe, Head of the Children's Oncology Center at the National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden. On the occasion of International Childhood Cancer Day on February 15, the NCT/UCC Dresden is presenting its research priorities. Leukemia accounts for almost 30 percent of all childhood cancers. Every year, around 100 children and adolescents come to the center with new cancer diagnoses.
Molecular switches against cancer
The researchers are focusing on precision medicine approaches. Instead of treating the entire body with aggressive chemotherapy, they are looking for specific weak points in the cancer cells. They use functional genomics and CRISPR-based screening to identify molecular targets. This modern gene-scissor technology makes it possible to specifically switch off individual genes and thus find out which ones are crucial for the survival of the cancer cells.
In acute lymphoblastic leukemia in particular, the scientists are focusing on antibody-based therapies and targeted drug combinations. They are also investigating why some children suffer relapses and develop resistance to treatment. "I would like to see children with leukemia receiving only half as much chemotherapy in ten years' time compared to today," says Schewe. The new treatment options should also be applicable to other cancers in children.
Interdisciplinary collaboration is key
"Progress in paediatric oncology is inconceivable without strong, interdisciplinary research," emphasizes Prof. Esther Troost, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at TU Dresden. As a radiation oncologist, she has regular contact with children suffering from cancer, especially in connection with the proton therapy offered in Dresden. This special radiation therapy enables tumors to be treated more precisely. "It is important to further develop therapies that are not only effective, but also have as little long-term impact as possible on young patients," she says.
Prof. Uwe Platzbecker, Medical Director of Dresden University Hospital, underlines the importance of the location. "Scientific innovations in childhood leukemia in particular have enabled enormous progress to be made in recent decades," says the expert in haematological diseases. It is now crucial to consistently translate new, targeted therapeutic approaches into clinical application.
In addition to therapy research, the NCT/UCC Dresden is launching two projects that should make the everyday lives of affected families noticeably easier. Ped-Onko-SAX is a digital platform that enables telemedicine, home diagnostics and continuous medical and neuropsychological monitoring. The aim is to offer children and young people access to cutting-edge university medicine regardless of where they live and to avoid long journeys. In addition, the team is developing a mobile care network with KOMNET-SAX. Specially qualified nursing staff are to replace some outpatient clinic visits with home visits. In this way, the researchers want to improve the quality of life of young patients and provide targeted relief for families.
