National Comprehensive Cancer Network

NCCN Research & Business Resources

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
877.585.0303
www.huntsmancancer.org

Pediatric Oncology Services

Introduction

The Division of Pediatric Oncology offers state-of-the-art comprehensive care for children with cancer throughout the Intermountain West. Multidisciplinary teams manage care for each child treated at Primary Children's Medical Center through an individualized program that includes preventive care; crisis and emergent interventions; treatment plans for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical oncology; psychosocial services for the patient, family, local care providers, and involved community members; nutrition evaluation and support; pain management that includes pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic methods; long-term follow-up; home care and out-of-hospital care; hospice care; bereavement services; and education for staff, care providers, patients, and families.

Pediatric oncologists have expertise in the management of all childhood cancers and are world-renowned experts in providing care in the specialized areas listed below.

General Information

Clinical and Research Information

Research Efforts

The physicians and support staff of the Pediatric Oncology Program and the Huntsman Cancer Institute Center for Children have an active basic clinical and translational research program. Four of the division members have extramurally funded basic laboratory research programs with the majority of their time spent in laboratory research activities. Areas of research include:

• Mechanism of DNA replication
• Gene mutation and repair
• DNA repair
• Chromosomal translocations in childhood cancers
• Circadian rhythm and cell cycle controls
• Hematopoietic stem cells and regulation of hematopoiesis
• Use of transgenic mice and transgenic zebrafish for study of gene expression and induction of childhood cancers
• Ewing's sarcoma-genetics, biology, and translational research studies
• Pediatric sarcomas
• RNAi's
• T cell leukemia/lymphoma
• Treatment of underserved populations
• Palliative care
• Targeted therapy development – identification of molecular targets and drug design

Translational research projects focus on high-risk, relapsed, and resistant acute leukemias, brain tumors, and high-risk and metastatic sarcomas. These include studies of gene expression, apoptosis, and regulation of cellular differentiation. Clinical trials include local institutional, multi-institutional, and cooperative group trials with emphasis on novel clinical protocols in childhood brain tumors, relapsed or resistant acute leukemias, and relapsed sarcomas.

Special Expertise

1. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Pediatric oncologists have developed and lead the Children's Cancer Group high-risk, relapsed, and resistant ALL treatment protocols. Oncologists participate in research projects to study the biology and genetics of high-risk ALL. Member of TACL – Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia Consortium

2. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Oncologists study the biologic properties of specific types of AML to identify prognostic and risk factors. Treatment protocols using both related and unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation are available.

3. High Risk Leukemias and Lymphomas

This specially designed, high-risk clinic is staffed by a comprehensive team to identify, treat, and manage the care of high-risk leukemias and lymphomas, including relapsed, resistant, or high-risk patients.

4. Brain Tumors

Oncologists have developed novel treatment protocols for childhood brain tumors. Some of the treatment protocols are local institutional trials and others are limited institutional or collaborative group trials; all treatments incorporate biologic and genetic studies to improve understanding of the pathogenesis of brain tumors. Member of the Pacific Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PNOC).

5. Solid Tumors and Sarcomas

Local institutional, multi-institutional, and cooperative group clinical trials are available for childhood sarcomas. Intensive therapeutic treatment plans are used for the treatment of metastatic or high-risk (metastatic, recurrent, or resistant) tumors including osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors, undifferentiated, synovial, and other types of sarcomas.

6. New and Experimental Therapies

The Pediatric Oncology Program is an NCI-approved Phase I and II institution. Phase I and II therapies and chemotherapeutic agents are available to eligible patients. Participates in HCI Program in Investigative Therapeutics.

7. Intensified Therapies for High-Risk Patients Utilizing Peripheral Stem Cell Rescue or Bone Marrow Transplantation

Treatment plans and biologic studies are used to treat high-risk patients with resistant, relapsed, or high-risk childhood cancers. Autologous, allogeneic, matched unrelated donor, and cord blood transplants are performed within the Pediatric Oncology Program. In addition, peripheral stem cell rescue is routinely available in conjunction with an increasing number of clinical protocols.

8. Long-Term Follow-Up
After completing therapy, patients undergo long-term follow-up that may include psychological, psychosocial, intellectual, behavioral, and physical evaluations.

Statistics

Percent of children treated in each age range

Pediatric Oncology Program, 2009

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