SPOG opens up two new research studies

The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG) has been committed to improving the treatment of cancer in children and adolescents in Switzerland for almost 50 years.

Two new international studies have now been started in Switzerland on the hospitalisation of young patients with the aim of improving the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia and tumours of the nervous system.

The SCRIPT-AML study in Switzerland, led by Professor Marc Ansari, MD, is dedicated to improving treatment protocols. In children, this leukaemia disease occurs most frequently in the first two years of life. Without treatment, the sick child dies within a few weeks or months. The study compares two tried-and-tested chemotherapy combinations to find out whether one is more effective than the other or has fewer side effects. This is particularly important as the side effects of intensive chemotherapy can often have considerable consequences for the development and later life of young patients.

In the field of tumours of the nervous system, in particular neuroblastoma, SPOG is working on SIOPEN BIOPORTAL, a study aimed at establishing a comprehensive biological database, the so-called bioportal, as part of the international SIOPEN network. The research group collects data on tumours in 29 countries. This helps experts learn more about these malignant cancers. The hope is that by analysing the biological characteristics of these tumours in greater depth, more precise and effective treatments can be developed in future that are less harmful for the children. The SIOPEN bioportal project in Switzerland is led by PD Dr phil. Raffaele Renella, MD, member of the SPOG board.

Further information on the ongoing studies and the work of SPOG can be found on our website www.spog.ch.