This study is a research project. This means that no medicines will be tested. It only involves the collection and processing of data. This study will be performed by the Hopp Childhood Cancer Centre (KiTZ) in Heidelberg, Germany. The KiTZ is under the patronage of the Society of Paediatric Oncologists and Haematologists (GPOH). The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) is responsible for performing the study in Switzerland.
Children, adolescents and adults between 0 and 40 years of age with a resistant or recurrent cancer that was first diagnosed before their 21st birthday and for which there is no established treatment option can take part in this research project.
This research project therefore does not focus on a particular type of cancer; the aim is nonetheless to find an advanced targeted therapy for these patients if possible.
Although cure rates of approx. 75% can now be achieved with modern treatment protocols in malignant diseases of childhood and adolescence, recurrence and progression of high-risk diseases remain an enormous clinical problem. Only a small number of patients (approx. 10%) can be cured if the disease recurs. The INFORM project is designed to tackle this problem in depth for the first time.
It is well known that cancers are the result of changes in the hereditary information (DNA) in the cells. The aim of this study is to obtain information from patients with a recurrent or resistant cancer on the changes in the DNA that triggered the tumour, irrespective of the type of cancer. This information will be used to find a targeted therapy for these patients, should one exist.
Tests with various medications will also be carried out in fresh tumour tissue to find out which therapies could work in a tumour. The plan is for all this to take place within four weeks. Nowadays we know that cancerous material can be found in patients’ blood. This project would additionally like to find out whether it is possible to obtain equivalent information about changes in the DNA from such tumour particles as from the tumour tissue itself. This would eliminate the need for a biopsy.
In short
- The research project is investigating changes in the genetic information (DNA) of the tumour, as well as testing various drugs on fresh tumour tissue.
- The aim of the research project is to find advanced and targeted treatments that will improve the chances of recovery in the event of tumour relapses and treatment-resistant tumours.
- The research project can help in the selection of targeted treatments for patients, or in the development of new treatments for future patients.
