Our objective
The Olivia Hodson Cancer Fund’s objective is to provide, “Support for research and clinical advancements within the departments of Oncology, Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital”.
Evaluating expanded tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in children’s solid cancers
A pilot study by the Institute for Child Health aims to understand how a treatment that has generated a response in some adult cancer patients might also have a role in paediatric oncology.
Cancer specialists recognise that most solid cancers in adults and children contain a form of white blood cell called tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). In most cancers the purpose of TILs is unknown, but in the US and Europe scientists have developed a treatment for adult metastatic melanoma whereby TILs are expanded in the laboratory to form large numbers of cells which are then injected back into patients. With response rates of over 50% reported by the US National Cancer Institute, this treatment represents an unprecedented success; what’s more, in a minority of cases the transferred TILs have persisted long term and led to durable clinical remissions.
To date, the use of expanded TILs in paediatric oncology has not been successfully evaluated. This OHCF funded pilot study will investigate 20 childhood solid cancers in patients at Great Ormond Street Hospital over a 6-9 month period, with the aim of obtaining an indication of the likely success rate. A success rate greater than 30% or the identification of a tumour type with consistent successful expansions will make applying for further grant funding for ongoing research possible.
Projects
Research into drug repositioning for treatment of rare brain tumours
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous blood cancer that accounts for 15-20% of all paediatric acute leukaemia cases. Despite it's low incidence in children, it is a life-threatening …Identification of novel surface antigen targets for CAR T cell strategies in paediatric Acute Myeloid Leukaemia stem cells
Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous blood cancer that accounts for 15-20% of all paediatric acute leukaemia cases. Despite it's low incidence in children, it is a life-threatening …
Reducing Stress and empowering children undergoing operations with the use of Lip balms on breathing masks.
It has been found that by providing children with a choice of flavoured lip balms to put onto their breathing masks before undergoing operations is beneficial in many ways.
Toward drug repurposing in epigenetics: Targeting histone modifications as a novel approach for a selective treatment for DIPG.
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a very aggressive tumour that mostly affect young children and is the main cause of brain tumour death in children. Mutations that cause …
Identifying the needs of childhood cancer survivors as they approach adulthood
An OHCF-funded study will help healthcare professionals at GOSH understand the ongoing needs of children who have survived cancer, thereby improving the care they receive as they enter adolescence.
Characterising novel therapeutic targets for neuroblastoma
OHCF is supporting significant research into potential new therapies for this very serious form of childhood cancer.
Delivering rapid and efficient genetic screening for bone marrow failure syndromes
A new, more efficient method of DNA sequencing will help ICH scientists quickly identify causes of bone marrow failure syndromes.
Understanding more about relapse in young patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Funds donated by OHCF will enable haematologists at GOSH use a form of DNA sequencing to help them treat and prevent relapse of a common childhood cancer.
Evaluating expanded tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in children’s solid cancers
A pilot study by the Institute for Child Health aims to understand how a treatment that has generated a response in some adult cancer patients might also have a …