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Activation of Hedgehog signaling by the oncogenic RELA fusion reveals a primary cilia-dependent vulnerability in supratentorial ependymomaSupratentorial RELA fusion (ST-RELA) ependymomas (EPNs) are resistant tumors without an approved chemotherapeutic treatment. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms that lead to chemoresistance traits of ST-RELA remain elusive. The aim of this study was to assess RELA fusion-dependent signaling modules, specifically the role of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway as a novel targetable vulnerability in ST-RELA.
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The Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology/Oncology Group Biobanking NetworkThe ANZCHOG-BN is a new biobank network in Australasia that was developed to improve and streamline access to high-quality pediatric and AYA cancer biospecimens
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Determining risk features for medulloblastoma in the molecular eraNick Gottardo MBChB FRACP PhD Co-Head, Brain Tumour Research nicholas.gottardo@thekids.org.au Co-Head, Brain Tumour Research Professor Nick Gottardo
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Immunogenicity of the inactivated influenza vaccine in children who have undergone allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantThis study provides evidence to support annual inactivated influenza vaccine administration to children following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant
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Developing new immune based therapies for neuroblastomaNeuroblastoma is a complex childhood cancer of the nerve cells and the most common solid tumour in children outside of the brain. The average age of diagnosis is 1-2 years and tragically 50% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma lose their battle within five years.
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Finding new, safer and targeted therapies for paediatric brain cancer that amplify responses to radiation therapyRadiation therapy is an essential component of brain cancer treatment. However, the high doses currently required are extremely damaging to the growing brains and bodies of children.
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Grandparents’ Experiences of Childhood Cancer: A Qualitative StudyA child's cancer diagnosis has a significant impact on the lives of grandparents. Grandparents experience the stress of worrying about both their adult children and their grandchildren. Our study aimed to explore the lived experience of grandparents of children diagnosed with cancer.
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Precision-guided treatment in high-risk pediatric cancersRecent research showed that precision medicine can identify new treatment strategies for patients with childhood cancers. However, it is unclear which patients will benefit most from precision-guided treatment.
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RAD51-Mediated DNA Homologous Recombination Is Independent of PTEN Mutational StatusPTEN mutation occurs in a variety of aggressive cancers and is associated with poor patient outcomes. Recent studies have linked mutational loss of PTEN to reduced RAD51 expression and function, a key factor involved in the homologous recombination (HR) pathway. However, these studies remain controversial, as they fail to establish a definitive causal link to RAD51 expression that is PTEN-dependent, while other studies have not been able to recapitulate the relationship between the PTEN expression and the RAD51/HR function.
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Small-molecule screen reveals synergy of cell cycle checkpoint kinase inhibitors with DNA-damaging chemotherapies in medulloblastomaMedulloblastoma (MB) consists of four core molecular subgroups with distinct clinical features and prognoses. Treatment consists of surgery, followed by radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Despite this intensive approach, outcome remains dismal for patients with certain subtypes of MB, namely, MYC-amplified Group 3 and TP53-mutated SHH. Using high-throughput assays, six human MB cell lines were screened against a library of 3208 unique compounds. We identified 45 effective compounds from the screen and found that cell cycle checkpoint kinase (CHK1/2) inhibition synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic activity of clinically used chemotherapeutics cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and gemcitabine.