Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Research

When you think of the life you can give by successfully treating a small child or young person who has cancer or a blood disorder, it's easy to understand the importance of pediatric cancer and hematology research.

When we say we really care for kids, we're not just talking about medicines and treatments. When our patients and their families come to us, medical treatment can last months and, in many cases, years. That means they become a part of our team ... and part of our family here at the medical center. They touch our hearts and our lives, and that pushes us even harder to continue to advance the research and technologies available to them.

View some of our latest studies

Total Therapy Study XVII

MIBG In Upfront Clinical Trials

Pediatric MATCH

Vigil + Irinotecan and Temozolomide in Ewing's Sarcoma (VITA)

Active studies

Hematology research studies

A phase 2, Multicenter, Open-Label Study to Assess Appropriate Dosing and to Evaluate Safety of Crizanlizumab, with or without Hydroxyurea/Hydroxycarbamide, in Sequential, Descending Age Groups of Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Vaso-Occlusive Crisis

Primary Investigator: Johnson MD, Clarissa

IRB ID: 2019-024 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
An Open-label, Multi-center, Phase IV, Rollover Study for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease who have Completed a prior Novartis-Sponsored Crizanlizumab Study

Primary Investigator: Johnson MD, Clarissa

IRB ID: 2021-060 (OPEN)

Request Information
ATHN Transcends: A Natural History Study of Non-Neoplastic Hematologic Disorders

Primary Investigator: McCavit MD, Timothy

IRB ID: 2021-019 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Cook Children’s Health Care System Stroke and Thrombosis Registry

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2020-037 (OPEN)

Request Information
Functional Characterization of Children with Chronic Thromboembolic Disease

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2021-065 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
International Registry for Severe Chronic Neutropenia

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: 94 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Observational study of pediatric thrombotic disease: the Throm-PED registry

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2021-085 (OPEN)

Request Information
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria / IPIG registry study/USA

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: 2022-093 (OPEN)

Request Information
RBDD-PLG Project; International Retrospective and Prospective Study of Individuals affected with Hypoplasminogenemia

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2019-028 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Seizures and Children's Outcomes after Stroke

Primary Investigator: Herring, Rachelle

IRB ID: 2022-067 (OPEN)

Request Information
Sickle cell Transplant Evaluation of Long term and LAte-effects Registry (STELLAR)

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2020-086 (OPEN)

Request Information
Stroke Study

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2023-029 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
The American Thrombosis and Hemostasis Network (ATHN) National Web Tracker

Primary Investigator: Sanders MD, Joann

IRB ID: 2011-160 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Towards the Establishment of Standards of Practice and the Inititation of Multi-Center, Multi-National Clinical Trials for Neonates and Children with Stroke

Primary Investigator: Torres MD, Marcela

IRB ID: 2012-008 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
UTSW_ASH RESEARCH_Johnson

Primary Investigator: Johnson MD, Clarissa

IRB ID: 2022-116 (OPEN)

Request Information

Oncology research studies

A Phase 1/2 Trial of CBL0137 (NSC# 825802, IND# 155843) in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors including CNS Tumors and Lymphoma

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2022-024 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 1/2 Trial of Selinexor (KPT-330) and Radiation Therapy in Newly-Diagnosed Pediatric Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and High-Grade Glioma (HGG) - ACNS1821

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2022-054 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 2 Study of Blinatumomab (NSC# 765986, IND# 125462) in Combination with Nivolumab (NSC# 748726, IND# 125462), a Checkpoint Inhibitor of PD-1, in B-ALL Patients Aged >/=1 to <31 Years Old with First Relapse

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2021-006 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 2 Study of DS-8201a (NSC#807708, IND#153036) in Adolescents, or Young Adults with Recurrent HER2+ Osteosarcoma

Primary Investigator: Granger MD, Meaghan

IRB ID: 2021-086 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 2 Study of Inotuzumab Ozogamicin (NSC# 772518, IND# 133494) in Children and Young Adults with Relapsed or Refractory CD22+ B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL)

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2017-049 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 2 Trial of Chemotherapy followed by Response-Based Whole Ventricular & Spinal Canal Irradiation (WVSCI) for Patients with Localized Non-Germinomatous Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumor

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2021-071 (OPEN)

Request Information
A Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Open vs Thoracoscopic Management of Pulmonary Metastases in Patients with Osteosarcoma

Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen

IRB ID: 2022-122 (OPEN)

Request Information
A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Selumetinib (IND #77782) versus Carboplatin/Vincristine in Newly Diagnosed or Previously Untreated Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) Associated Low-Grade Glioma (LGG))

Primary Investigator: Murray MD, Jeffrey

IRB ID: 2019-075 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Randomized Trial for Patients with de novo AML Comparing Standard Therapy Including Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin (GO) to CPX-351 with GO, and the Addition of the FLT3 Inhibitor Gilteritinib for Patients with FLT3 Mutations

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2020-072 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Randomized Trial of Inotuzumab Ozogamicin (IND#:133494, NSC#: 772518) for Newly Diagnosed High-Risk B-ALL; Risk-Adapted Post-Induction Therapy for High-Risk B-ALL, Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia, and Disseminated B-LLy

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2020-022 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Evaluating Memantine (IND# 149832) for Neurocognitive Protection in Children Undergoing Cranial Radiotherapy as Part of Treatment for Primary Central Nervous System Tumors

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2022-019 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Study of Dinutuximab Added to Intensive Multimodal Therapy for Children with Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma

Primary Investigator: Greer MD, Chelsee

IRB ID: 2024-050 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Study of Selumetinib or Selumetinib in Combination with Vinblastine for non-NF1, non-TSC Patients with Recurrent or Progressive Low-Grade Gliomas (LGGs) Lacking BRAFV600E or IDH1 Mutations - ACNS1931

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2021-017 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase 3 Trial Investigating Blinatumomab (IND# 117467, NSC# 765986) in Combination with Chemotherapy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Standard Risk or Down syndrome B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) and the Treatment of Patients with Localized B-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (B-LLy)

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2019-059 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Phase I Study of Tagraxofusp With or Without Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CD123 Expressing Hematologic Malignancies

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2023-008 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Randomised Phase 3 trial of Accelerated Versus Standard BEP Chemotherapy for Patients with Intermediate and Poor-Risk Metastatic Germ Cell Tumours

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2018-089 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Vinorelbine, Dactinomycin, and Cyclophosphamide (VINO-AC) Plus Maintenance Chemotherapy with Vinorelbine and Oral Cyclophosphamide (VINO-CPO) vs Vincristine, Dactinomycin and Cyclophosphamide (VAC) plus VINO-CPO Maintenance in Patients with High Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma (HR-RMS)

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2021-083 (OPEN)

Request Information
A Randomized Trial of Levocarnitine Prophylaxis to Prevent Asparaginase-Associated Hepatotoxicity in Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Therapy

Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen

IRB ID: COG_ACCL1931_Albritton (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Request Information
A retrospective cohort study of response and survival in pediatric patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoblastic lymphoma (LLy) treated with contemporary salvage therapy

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2021-016 (OPEN)

Request Information
A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF INOTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN IN PATIENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

Primary Investigator: Pacenta, Holly

IRB ID: 2023-062 (OPEN)

Request Information
ALTE22C1: Chronic Health Conditions in Down Syndrome-Associated Acute Leukemia: The Down Syndrome Phenotyping Acute Leukemia Study in Survivors (DS-PALS Survivors)

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: 2024-009 (OPEN)

Request Information
AML23: A phase 2 Study of Venetoclax in Combination with Conventional Chemotherapy in Pediatric Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: St. Jude_AML23_Heym (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
An Open-Label, Expanded Access Protocol Using 131-I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine (131 I-MIBG) Therapy in Patients with Refractory Neuroblastoma, Pheochromocytoma, or Paraganglioma

Primary Investigator: Granger MD, Meaghan

IRB ID: 2012-026 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
APAl2020SC

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2024-008 (OPEN)

Request Information
ARAR2221 A Phase 2 Study Using Chemoimmunotherapy with Gemcitanine, Cisplatin and Nivolumab in Newly Diagnosed Nasopharyngeal Carcinona (NPC) was activated today through COG

Primary Investigator: Greer MD, Chelsee

IRB ID: 2024-071 (OPEN)

Request Information
Assessment of Clonal Hematopoiesis and its Relationship to Cardiovascular Disease in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors. A COG Groupwide Observational Study.

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: COG_ALTE21C1_Beam (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
CAMPFIRE: Children’s and Young Adult Master Protocol for Innovative Pediatric Research

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2020-066 (OPEN)

Request Information
COG Study ALTE03N1: Key Adverse Events after Childhood Cancer

Primary Investigator: Granger MD, Meaghan

IRB ID: 543 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
COG_AHOD2131_Albritton

Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen

IRB ID: 2023-056 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Exploration of Perceived Stress, Sleep, Fatigue, and Biomarkers in Childhood Brain Tumor Survivors

Primary Investigator: Bashore NP, Lisa M

IRB ID: 2018-010 (OPEN)

Request Information
Fort Worth AYA Oncology Coalition Registry Database

Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen

IRB ID: 2019-017 (OPEN)

Request Information
Health Effects after Anthracycline and Radiation Therapy (HEART): Dexrazoxane and Prevention of Anthracycline-related Cardiomyopathy

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: 2014-023 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Iobenguane I-131 or Crizotinib and Standard Therapy in Treating Younger Patients With Newly-Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma or Ganglioneuroblastoma

Primary Investigator: Granger MD, Meaghan

IRB ID: 2018-048 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Study Information
Request Information
Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma: Hematology and Oncology Survey (KHHAOS) Study

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2021-051 (OPEN)

Request Information
Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Who Have Participated in Children's Oncology Group Studies

Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald

IRB ID: 2010-109 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
National Registry of Pediatric Cancer Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19

Primary Investigator:

IRB ID: 2020-034 (OPEN)

Request Information
NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH (Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice)- Phase 2 study of Ensartinib in patients with tumors harboring ALK or ROS1 genomic alterations (APEC1621F)

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2018-003 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH (Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice) Screening Protocol (APEC1621SC)

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2017-065 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Pediatric Hepatic Malignancy International Therapeutic Trial (PHITT)

Primary Investigator: Akers DO, Lauren

IRB ID: 2018-066 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)

Study Information
Request Information
PEPN22P1: A Pharmacokinetic Study of VinCRIStine in Infants Dosed According to BSA-Banded Infant Dosing Tables and Older Children Dosed by Traditional BSA Methods

Primary Investigator: Pacenta, Holly

IRB ID: 2022-112 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Randomization of Cytarabine Monotherapy versus Standard-of-Care Vinblastine/Prednisone for Frontline Treatment of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis

Primary Investigator: Ray MD, Anish

IRB ID: 2019-067 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Reducing Ethnic Disparities in Acute Leukemia (REDIAL) Consortium Retrospective Chart Review

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2019-051 (OPEN)

Request Information
SELCLAX

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2021-056 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
SJiMB21: Phase 2 Study of Molecular and Clinical Risk-Directed Therapy for Infants and Young Children with Newly Diagnosed Medulloblastoma

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: St. Jude_SJiMB21_Zhao (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Targeted approach to Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) using MEK inhibitor, Trametinib.

Primary Investigator: Ray MD, Anish

IRB ID: CCMC_LCH Targeted therapy_Ray (OPEN)

Request Information
Tissue Banking- Collecting and Banking Human Tissue Samples for Future Use

Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo

IRB ID: 2020-093 (OPEN)

Request Information
Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Anaplastic Wilms Tumors (DAWT) and Relapsed Favorable Histology Wilms Tumors (FHWT)

Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly

IRB ID: 2020-097 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Venetoclax EAP IND 152442

Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth

IRB ID: 2020-080 (OPEN)

Request Information

Stem cell transplant research studies

A Multicenter Access and Distribution Protocol for Unlicensed Cryopreserved Cord Blood Units (CBUs) for Transplantation in Pediatric and Adult Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Other Indications

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2011-191/2023-095 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
A multicenter safety study of unlicensed, investigational, cryopreserved cord blood units (CBUs) manufactured by the National Cord Blood Program (“NCBP”) and provided for unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplantation of pediatric and adult patients

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2015-077 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
ASCT2031: A Multi-Center, Phase 3, Randomized Trial of Matched Unrelated Donor (MUD) versus HLA-Haploidentical Related (Haplo) Myeloablative Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (AYA) with Acute Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Primary Investigator: Howrey MD, Richard P.

IRB ID: 2022-125 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
CliniMACS® CD34+ T-cell Depletion of a Haploidentical Stem Cell Product as Part of a Treatment Protocol for Patients with Bone Marrow Failure

Primary Investigator: Howrey MD, Richard P.

IRB ID: 2018-041 (OPEN)

Request Information
Managed Access Program (MAP) to provide access to CTL019, for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or large B-cell lymphoma patients with out of specification leukapheresis product and/or manufactured tisagenlecleucel out of specification for commercial release

Primary Investigator: Pacenta, Holly

IRB ID: 2020-101 (OPEN)

Request Information
Phase 1/2 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Single Dose of Autologous Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats Gene-edited CD34+ Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (EDIT-301) in Subjects with Severe Sickle Cell Disease

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2022-023 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Protocol for a Research Database for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Other Cellular Therapies and Marrow Toxic Injuries

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2019-061 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information
Protocol for a Research Sample Repository for Hematopoietic Cell Tranplantation, Other Cellular Therapies, and Marrow Toxic Injuries

Primary Investigator: Eames MD, Gretchen

IRB ID: 2019-062 (OPEN)

Study Information
Request Information

ASPHO 2020 poster presentations

Were you looking forward to ASPHO 2020? So were we. Unfortunately, ASPHO 2020 had to be cancelled, but the research goes on. As we look forward to ASPHO 2021, we continue to look ahead toward the development of research that advances and enhances care in pediatric hematology and oncology.

In the meantime, we’re pleased to share our ASPHO 2020 accepted posters.

View here

Listen to our researchers discuss their programs

photo-podcast-clarissajohnson

Advanced Treatments and Research for Sickle Cell Disease

Dr. Clarissa Johnson, director of the Sickle Cell Program at Cook Children's, talks about advanced treatments and therapies as well as promising new clinical research on the horizon for sickle cell disease. Her extensive knowledge and passion for treating patients with sickle cell disease is the driving force behind bringing relief to hundreds of patients at Cook Children’s.

Listen here

hemonc_landing_solid_tumor_img

Targeted Therapy for Pediatric Cancer

Dr. Kelly Vallance discusses how research through Cook Children's Targeted Therapeutics program is opening the door to the most advanced and promising clinical trials available to pediatric cancer patients—leading to higher response rates, less toxicities and more cures.

Listen here

mccavit-hemophilia

Advanced Research and Treatments for Hemophilia

Timothy McCavit, M.D., from Cook Children's Bleeding Disorder Program and Hemophilia Treatment Center, discusses our participation in revolutionary clinical research that holds great promise for children and young adults with hemophilia. This new clinical research is currently the best available and in patients on preliminary drug trials, the treatments have been transformative and their quality of life has greatly improved. Listen to learn more about new breakthrough treatments for hemophilia patients.

Listen here

heym-totalxvii

The Incredible Promise of Total Therapy XVII

Dr. Kenneth Heym Medical Director, Oncology Program, Cook Children's Medical Center, talks about our participation in a new Total Therapy XVII clinical research trial. This important investigational research is currently the best available targeted therapy for ALL and LLy cancers.

Listen here

torres-acosta-stroke

BE FAST to recognize the signs of Pediatric Stroke

Cook Children's Stroke and Thrombosis Program co-directors Marcela Torres, M.D., Medical Director, Hematology Program, and Fernando Acosta Jr., M.D., Neurology, talk about the causes of pediatric stroke and the importance of the two specialties collaborating to improve awareness, diagnosis, treatment and risk of recurrence.

Listen here

zhao-neuro-onc

Innovations in Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Research and Treatments

Sibo Zhao, M.D. Medical Director, Cook Children's Neur-Oncology program, discusses the challenges of pediatric brain and spinal tumors, and the research and clinical trials that are transforming outcomes for pediatric patients, including developmental therapeutics and anti-cancer care.

Listen here

pacenta-cartcell

CAR T-cell therapy

Dr. Holly Pacenta Cook Children’s hematologist/oncologist, Cellular Immunotherapy Program, introduces CAR T-cell therapy, a targeted treatment now available for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

Listen here

Stem cell transplant research studies

For many years cancer research and treatment focused on adults, but children have very special needs because their bodies are still growing and changing. What works for adults doesn't always work for kids, sometimes resulting in side effects and secondary conditions later in life. As an active research facility, we are at the forefront of treatments for kids from prenatal through early adulthood. This lets us work closely with each patient and the families to look at the options and advanced care–from genetics to stem cell transplants to targeted therapies–that otherwise might not be available to them.

Working together

Not only do we build relationships with a global network of leading researchers, we also partner with our patients and parents starting on day one of the diagnosis; and it is only in the context of that relationship that we introduce the subject of research. Parents do not want to expose their children to risks, but most of them come to understand the concept of clinical trials. We explain how our clinical research has advanced the field of medicine and how it contributes to our cure rates here, as well as advances in oncology and hematology.

Our approach

The goal of Children's Oncology Group (COG) members is to cure all children and teens with cancer, reduce the short- and long-term complications of cancer treatments, and determine the causes and find ways to prevent childhood cancer. Learn more about the COG and what it means to be a member here.

Although Cook Children's is not a traditional academic center affiliated with a university, we are academic in how we approach research and practice day in and day out. As a key collaborator with the nation's leading pediatric research organizations, our team offers the best available treatments and contributes to the search for a cure.

Cook Children's is a member institution or has received accreditation from several nationally-known cancer and blood disorder organizations for conducting research trials including:

Children's Oncology Group (COG).
New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT).
Therapeutic Advances for Childhood Leukemia (Phase I TACL).
Center for International Bone Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR).
Clinical Transplant Network (CTN).
International Pediatric Stroke Society (IPSS).
Regional Hemophilia Treatment Center.
National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP).
Many national and international patient registries.

We have also collaborated with several recognized research institutions including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Texas Children's Hospital as well as other high-performing regional academic institutions.

Not every cancer or blood disorder requires treatment through a current clinical trial. In fact, there are many cases that we can now treat and even cure with broad scope solutions, but those available treatments exist because of ongoing research. However, there are still many cancers and blood disorders that are rare or challenging for which there are no cures. For the children who are diagnosed with them, research often provides the best chance of recovery. It is for that reason that we are involved in research and our continued pursuit of a cure for each and every child. And we won't stop until we find a way to make childhood carefree and cancer free for all kids, now and in the future.

Clinical trials

Many successful treatments have been made possible by research. The survival rate for childhood cancers has improved, in great part, due to clinical trials. In fact, many young cancer patients receive treatment by participating in clinical trials. In fact, 60 percent of cancer patients under the age of 29 are enrolled in trials.

What is a clinical trial?

Clinical trials are the final step in a long process of research. For many patients with cancer, especially children, they are the first step toward beating their disease. Clinical trials test new ways to find and diagnose cancer, treat cancer, manage symptoms of cancer and side effects from treatment and, ultimately, to prevent cancer.

Who should participate in a clinical trial?

If your child is diagnosed with cancer, clinical trials are an option you should discuss with your doctor. Many people believe that clinical trials are only for patients who are in the final stages of the disease or who aren't responding to treatments. But the truth is, there are clinical trials available for every stage of cancer.

What clinical trials are available?

Our team is currently active in clinical trials through many venues. Cook Children's must meet the guidelines of each group we partner with as well as successfully pass routine audits and site visits to be accepted and maintain privileges. The groups we currently partner with include:

New approaches to neuroblastoma therapy (NANT)

In 2008, Cook Children's was selected to join the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium, an organization comprised of just 15 hospitals throughout North America specializing in neuroblastoma research. NANT attempts to advance new therapies by conducting select early-phase clinical trials.

As a NANT site, Cook Children's actively participates in research on neuroblastomas in children. We are part of a very tightly knit group of expert physicians, researchers and investigators from 15 select university and children's hospitals that make up the consortium. Together, we are working continuously to test new therapies for high-risk and relapsed neuroblastoma and to advance neuroblastoma treatment for kids.

Presently, Cook Children's offers clinical trials targeting neuroblastoma cells that are resistant to established chemotherapy and radiation. This research is focused on finding treatments for otherwise hopelessly advanced neuroblastoma.

Participating in a clinical trial

Clinical trials offer patients new approaches to treatment or drugs, as well as the advantage of a therapeutic approach that has been mapped out and reviewed by a team of investigators who specialize in the disease being studied – in this case, neuroblastoma.

Generosity. It helps to cure what ails you

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, and our NANT participation, children like Hayden can now experience their own miracles closer to home, as Cook Children's new cancer center includes an MIBG suite.

I-131 MIBG therapy is still considered a clinical trial. But for children with high-risk recurrent neuroblastoma, it may be the preferred course of treatment. This relatively new treatment enables the medical team to deliver radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy directly to the tumor cells without disturbing any of the body's healthy cells. Currently offered only through research trials, Cook Children's is one of only a dozen or so centers in the country to offer the this therapy for children.

NANT is supported by the National Cancer Institute. If you would like to learn about NANT, and the research that is being done for neuroblastoma patients, visit www.nant.org for more information.

For information on sponsored clinical research trials, collaborative group efforts, quality improvement and investigator-initiated research, please email us at cookchildrensresearch@cookchildrens.org or call 682-885-2103.

The Children's Oncology Group (COG)

The Children's Oncology Group joins together some of very brightest minds from around the world, all intent on understanding the causes of cancer so that we can cure cancer. We are proud to be a recognized COG cancer center ... not only for the research that we do, but for the treatments and cures we bring to the patients and families we treat here at Cook Children's.

Formed in 2000, Children's Oncology Group (COG) is the nation's largest and most established cooperative children's cancer research network for pediatric cancer research. It brings together treatment centers, physicians, laboratory scientists, nurses, psychologists and others working to beat cancer in children, adolescents and young adults. And Cook Children's is proud to be an active member, fighting cancer in kids every day.

Global collaboration

The COG unites more than 8,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe in the fight against childhood cancer. Through this collaborative research, the Children's Oncology Group has improved rates for children's cancer at a pace much faster than any one individual or single institution could accomplish alone.
The Children's Oncology Group research has turned children's cancer from a virtually incurable disease 40 years ago to one with an overall cure rate of 78 percent today.

Comprised of 210 treatment centers in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, COG includes more than 6,500 individual members.

Cook Children's is proud to be an active participant in these many accomplishments because they have a positive effect right here at home. And they help us to fulfill our promise to improve the well-being of every child in our care and our communities – and beyond.

To learn more about COG, visit www.childrensoncologygroup.org.

We are here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-6152.