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IDH-mutant gliomas in children and adolescents - from biology to clinical trials

Gliomas account for nearly 30% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children and adolescents and young adults (AYA), contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. The updated molecular classification of gliomas defines molecularly diverse subtypes with a spectrum of tumors associated with age-distinct incidence.

Advancing CNS tumor diagnostics with expanded DNA methylation-based classification

DNA methylation-based classification is now central to contemporary neuro-oncology, as highlighted by the World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors. This expansion is a result of newly identified tumor types discovered through our large online repository and global collaborations, underscoring CNS tumor heterogeneity.

Flt3L-mediated tumor cDC1 expansion enhances immunotherapy by priming stem-like CD8+ T cells in lymph nodes

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) evokes antitumor immunity through the reinvigoration of T cell responses. T cell differentiation status controls response, with less differentiated cells having an enhanced capacity to proliferate after ICB. Given that conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) maintain precursor exhausted T cells (TPEX), we hypothesized that expansion of cDC1s with Flt3L could enhance responses to ICB. 

A Systematic Review on the Role of Postoperative Radiotherapy in Pelvic Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing Sarcoma of the pelvis has poorer outcomes than other anatomical sites, with complex anatomy often precluding resection with wide margins. The role of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) in improving outcomes remains undefined. A systematic review using Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases (1972-April 2024) evaluated postoperative RT's impact on local recurrence, event-free survival and overall survival. Twenty-nine retrospective studies (21 to 296 patients) met inclusion criteria, with 28 rated good quality.

Transcriptional rewiring in CD8+ T cells: implications for CAR-T cell therapy against solid tumours

T cells engineered to express chimeric-antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) can effectively control relapsed and refractory haematological malignancies in the clinic. However, the successes of CAR-T cell therapy have not been recapitulated in solid tumours due to a range of barriers such as immunosuppression, poor infiltration, and tumour heterogeneity.

Combining CRISPR-Cas9 and TCR exchange to generate a safe and efficient cord blood-derived T cell product for pediatric relapsed AML

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an effective treatment for pediatric patients with high-risk, refractory, or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, a large proportion of transplanted patients eventually die due to relapse. To improve overall survival, we propose a combined strategy based on cord blood (CB)-HCT with the application of AML-specific T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cell therapy derived from the same CB graft.

Incidence and survival for childhood cancer by endorsed non-stage prognostic indicators in Australia

Nick Gottardo MBChB FRACP PhD Head of Paediatric and Adolescent Oncology and Haematology, Perth Children’s Hospital; Co-head, Brain Tumour Research

Exploiting temporal aspects of cancer immunotherapy

Many mechanisms underlying an effective immunotherapy-induced antitumour response are transient and critically time dependent. This is equally true for several immunological events in the tumour microenvironment induced by other cancer treatments. Immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) has proven to be very effective in the treatment of some cancers, but unfortunately, with many cancer types, most patients do not experience a benefit. 

In their own words: advice from parents of children with cancer

Approximately 770 children are diagnosed with cancer in Australia every year. Research has explored their experiences and developed recommendations for improving support provided to families. These have included the provision of psychology services, improved communication between healthcare professionals and parents, and increased information for families. 

Vincristine Induced Adverse Effects in Lymphoma Bearing Dogs With Asymptomatic Neutropenia at the Time of Drug Administration

Vincristine sulphate, a microtubule inhibitor, is used extensively in veterinary oncology for treating lymphoma. Neutropenia during multiagent protocols is a common reason for treatment delay and reduced dose intensity. This study evaluated toxicities associated with treating systemically well neutropenic lymphoma patients with vincristine.