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Pioneering paediatric oncologist receives top cancer research award

Associate Professor Rishi Kotecha, Co-Head of Leukaemia Translational Research at The Kids Research Institute Australia Cancer Centre and Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Perth Children's Hospital, has been named Cancer Council WA’s 2024 Cancer Researcher of the Year.

Pharmacological targeting and characterization of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels (VGSCs) expressed in the high-grade glioma microenvironment

High-grade glioma (HGG) cells reactivate neurodevelopmental programs regulated by ion channels to drive tumor progression. The activity of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) is fundamental to development, a target of blood-brain barrier (BBB)-permeable FDA-approved drugs, and aids tumor advancement in several cancers. However, the contribution of VGSC activity to HGG pathology remains unknown.

Rare Occurrence of Congenital Neuroblastoma and Tuberous Sclerosis

Citation: Gardner M, Shah S, Jain N, Bynevelt M. Rare Occurrence of Congenital Neuroblastoma and Tuberous Sclerosis. Pediatr Neurol. 2026;176:62-3.

A small molecule inhibitor of RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3 shows anti-leukemic activity

The RNA-binding protein IGF2BP3 is an oncofetal protein overexpressed in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is critical for leukemogenesis in experimental models. With cancerspecific expression, functional dispensability for normal development, and an unleveraged prooncogenic function in mRNA homeostasis, IGF2BP3 represents an excellent target.

Factors Associated With Rare Pediatric Cancer Trial Enrollment: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Rare Tumors Committee

Over 90% of US children with cancer are treated at Children's Oncology Group (COG) centers, which seek to maximize enrollment in therapeutic and biobanking studies. Rare cancers have demonstrated lower than expected COG enrollment. We evaluated trends in COG rare cancer enrollment compared to US incidence from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries, examining the impact of COG therapeutic trials and Project:EveryChild, a cancer biobank/registry.

The United Nations convention on rare diseases—A framework for research prioritization

Citation: Junaid M, Downs J, Groza T, Lassmann T, Baker S, et al. The United Nations convention on rare diseases—A framework for research

Fc-Engineered B7-H3 Antibody with Prolonged Serum Half-Life for Enhanced Cancer Therapy

Monoclonal antibodies are revolutionizing the landscape of current cancer treatment, bringing hope to patients with incurable cancers. B7-H3 (CD276) is an attractive therapeutic target for antibody-based therapy due to its low or absent expression in normal tissues and high expression in various types of tumors, including prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and high-mortality esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In recent years, various B7-H3-targeting antibodies have been developed for cancer treatment, with a few making their way to clinical trials.

Melanoma

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, occurs when abnormal skin cells multiply rapidly in an uncontrolled way.

Brain Tumour

Brain tumours are the second most common cancer in children (after leukaemia).

Pharmacological inhibition of sclerostin protects bone from B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia-mediated destruction

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer. Current therapeutic regimens have improved 5-year event-free survival rates to 90%, however clinical outcomes for high-risk subgroups, such as BCR-ABL1+ B-ALL and relapsed ALL, remain poor. In addition, 16% of newly diagnosed children with ALL present with vertebral compression fractures. Moreover, 16% of children with ALL undergoing glucocorticoid therapy also experience a high incidence of vertebral fractures, indicating that bone health may be compromised by both leukemia progression and osteotoxicity of chemotherapy.