A clinical trial has shown that setmelanotide, a new drug, can achieve significant weight loss in people whose weight has become dysregulated following treatment for a brain tumor. The treatment resulted in a 20% reduction in BMI, with participants experiencing substantial health benefits.
A team of scientists has uncovered more than 1,700 new proteins known as peptideins, which are smaller than traditional proteins and may have unique biology. These proteins were found in the 'dark proteome', a section of DNA previously overlooked, and could have implications for human diseases like cancer.
Researchers have identified specific changes in genetic material that can predict the effectiveness of chemotherapy in young adults with germ cell tumors. A blood test based on these changes could help doctors make personalized decisions about treatment.
A new study has mapped the structure and function of healthy children's bone marrow cells, revealing age-dependent differences in blood cell formation. The atlas provides a valuable resource for researchers to better understand childhood leukemia and other blood disorders.
A European study analyzed data from over 30,000 children with brain tumors, providing a clear overview of their survival outcomes. The study found that differences in survival rates between countries are smaller than previously thought, suggesting improved access to similar treatments across Europe.
The Princess Máxima Center has implemented whole genome sequencing as the standard of care for children with cancer, enabling precise diagnosis and tailored treatment. This comprehensive approach also provides valuable data for developing new treatments and researching childhood cancer development.
Liquid biopsies have the potential to monitor therapy success and predict tumor recurrence in high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The MONALISA project aims to establish liquid biopsies as a standard procedure for monitoring relapsed neuroblastoma, offering hope for improved personalized medicine.
Scientists have developed mini-brains from human fetal brain tissue that self-organize in vitro. These lab-grown organoids can study brain development and disease, including brain tumors. They offer a valuable means to untangle the complex network of molecules involved in directing brain development.
Scientists have mapped neuroblastoma tumors at the cell level and discovered a brake on the immune system that can be blocked with existing immunotherapy. A new combination treatment targeting TIGIT and PD-L1 is being developed, showing promising results in lab experiments.
Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center and Hubrecht Institute developed a new cortex organoid that more accurately captures essential features of the human brain. The mini-organs can be used to model pediatric brain tumors, offering potential targets for treatment.
A large-scale international study of childhood cancer survivors found that women who received high-dose doxorubicin chemotherapy without chest radiation have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer before age 40. The researchers are calling for broadening guidelines for breast cancer screening in these patients.
A study of 800 Dutch children found that modified treatment protocols increased the five-year survival rate for all children with acute lymphatic leukemia to 94%. The modifications resulted in a three times lower risk of disease recurrence, especially in children with an aggressive form of leukemia.
Researchers developed outcome indicators to measure health issues in children with cancer, allowing for improvement in care and treatment. The indicators consider physical, psychosocial, and neurocognitive outcomes, providing a clear and comparable measurement of quality of survival.
Researchers used human liver organoids to study fibrolamellar carcinoma, a rare childhood liver cancer. They found that different genetic mutations underlie different degrees of aggressiveness in the tumors, and uncovered the probable cell-of-origin as hepatocytes.
Blinatumomab immunotherapy significantly improves the survival rate of babies with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), from 66% to 93%, while reducing side effects. The treatment is now standard for babies worldwide.
Researchers at the Princess Máxima Center found that concentrating surgery for children with neuroblastoma resulted in shorter operation times and reduced blood loss. The study also showed a decrease in side effects, although further research is needed to confirm improved survival rates.
A new treatment protocol has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of aggressive childhood leukemia returning after chemotherapy. The ALL-11 protocol, which includes an extra year of maintenance chemotherapy for children with specific genetic mutations, has improved five-year survival rates and quality of life for these patients....
The Máxima Butterfly program offers 28 PhD positions in pediatric oncology, focusing on international collaboration and multidisciplinary exchange. Researchers will receive training from leading experts and gain access to innovative techniques and insights.
The Princess Máxima Center has been awarded a Marie Sklodowska-Curie COFUND grant to train 28 PhD students from around the world in pediatric oncology research. The program aims to advance the field and promote international collaboration.
Scientists have discovered that leukemia cells can change their DNA read-out to evade treatment, making them harder to treat. The study identified key genetic changes that allow cancer cells to survive and relapse.
Ruben van Boxtel's research focuses on understanding the origins of late treatment effects in children with blood cancer, exploring the role of stem cells. His work aims to find solutions to prevent these effects and predict their likelihood.
Researchers used a new 3D imaging technique to analyze the interaction between T-cell therapies and solid mini-tumors, revealing a wide variety of behaviors in engineered T cells. The study identified specific gene signatures of highly potent T cells that can target multiple tumor cells.
A recent study found that extra copies of the 3p25.3 region of DNA can lead to chemotherapy resistance in germ cell cancer. The research suggests this abnormality may be a key factor in predicting patient outcomes and could help identify those at high risk, allowing for alternative treatment options
A new study by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology has found that one third of children with a Wilms' tumor, the most common form of childhood kidney cancer, have a hereditary predisposition. This discovery has led to the implementation of extensive genetic testing for all children with this disease in the Netherlands.
Scientists at the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology discovered a new combination treatment strategy for childhood T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by analyzing protein activity. The study found that blocking specific proteins, such as LCK and SRC, in combination with an overactive chain reaction of INSR/IGF-1R, k...
Researchers have developed a personalized dosing regime for anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) to improve the success of stem cell transplants in children with leukemia. The new approach led to better immune recovery and higher survival rates compared to standard treatment.
A single genetic test using RNA sequencing has been used for all children with cancer in the Netherlands since 2018, improving diagnosis and treatment in seven cases. The technique picked up 78 fusion genes, 23 of which led to a more accurate diagnosis or possible treatment.
A new study published in the Lancet Haematology found that children with Down syndrome are more likely to develop aggressive forms of leukemia and have a poorer prognosis. The research also identified potential differences in treatment outcomes between children with and without Down syndrome.
Researchers found no significant DNA changes in stem cells after transplant, but an anti-virus drug called ganciclovir may contribute to cancer development. Further research is needed to investigate this further.
A new study published in Blood Cancer Discovery reveals that children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who have more DNA changes in their blood stem cells are more likely to survive. The researchers hope that this finding can be used as a tool to identify high-risk patients and improve treatment outcomes.
Scientists at Princess Máxima Center developed a new imaging technique to study millions of cells in 3D tissue, revealing hundreds of features from each individual cell. The technique helps analyze molecular profiles and cell shape, potentially improving diagnosis and treatment for children's cancers.
The European Research Council has awarded €2 million to Ruben van Boxtel's research on late effects of childhood cancer treatment, focusing on developing second cancers. Van Boxtel aims to identify the components of treatment that cause DNA changes and predict patient risk for developing a second novel cancer.
The survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma has increased significantly, with 43% of children surviving five years after diagnosis. Improved treatment methods, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, have been responsible for the increased survival rate.
Rhabdoid tumors are aggressive brain and kidney cancers with poor prognosis, requiring innovative treatments. The ERC grant aims to understand the disease's underlying mechanisms through unique models and lineage tracing techniques.
Researchers have identified seven types of germ cell tumors, which are caused by failure of mechanisms that prevent spontaneous embryonal development. The new classification is valuable for future research, epidemiology, and clinical care, as it enables more reliable mapping of treatment sensitivity and resistances.
A large European study found that small lung spots in rhabdomyosarcoma patients do not affect survival prospects or require aggressive treatment, unlike larger metastases.
Healthy blood stem cells exhibit a similar number of DNA mutations as those found in leukemic cells, suggesting that the location of these mutations is more relevant than their quantity. This study's findings have implications for understanding the origins of leukemia and developing targeted treatments.