Understanding
Pediatric Cancer
A LOOK INSIDE: CANCER RESEARCH MADE POSSIBLE BY NEW GRANT
What is it? A grant from the
Cancer Prevention Research Institute
of Texas (CPRIT).
Where will the research take
place? The primary research sites are
Texas Children's Hospital, University of
Texas Southwestern and The Children's
Hospital of San Antonio.
What's the goal? The study will collect
and study childhood and adolescent
tumor samples and compare results
with wide-ranging survey responses
gathered from sample participants and
their family members.
What will the grant cover?
Grant money will help purchase storage
freezers and genetic analysis equipment
while supporting project researchers.
"Many biorepositories collect
and study tumor samples, but
few also link those samples to
genetic background information
and environmental risk factors,"
Dr. Marshall says. "This extensive
research project helps us gain vital
information to reduce the number
of childhood and pediatric cancers
in the future."
The Children's Hospital of San Antonio
was recently awarded a cancer research
grant to learn more about childhood and
adolescent cancers.
Vivienne Marshall, PhD
Everything for our children.™
National five-year survival rates for most childhood cancers have
increased by up to 20 percent over the last few decades, but there is
still work to be done.
"We don't understand as much about childhood and adolescent
cancers as we'd like, especially their effect on vulnerable populations
here in Texas," says Vivienne Marshall, PhD, director of clinical research
at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "Why do children of Hispanic
descent have higher rates of childhood cancer and worse outcomes
compared to non-Hispanic populations? That's one of the questions we
are currently trying to solve."
To address this issue, the Hospital applied for and won a five-year
research grant, totaling $6 million shared among the sites. Dr. Marshall's
team will receive about $1 million for clinical research purposes. Research
began in early 2017.
To stay on top of your family's health, schedule preventive checkups.
Call (844) 778-KIDS (5437) or visit chofsa.org/findadoc.
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The Children's Hospital of San Antonio • chofsa.org
