HEMATOLOGY–ONCOLOGY The year 2020 was a most challenging time for Connecticut Children’s and the rest of the world. Like all divisions at the hospital, the Division of HematologyOncology had to continuously adapt to the various measures necessary to keep our clinic and inpatient ward a safe place for our patients and their families as well as for our staff. Thanks to the unwavering commitment from all our providers and staff, Hematology-Oncology turned out to be one of the hospital’s most Covidresistant divisions with essentially no reduction in the volume of patients that we took care of during the pandemic. In fact, despite the pandemic, we successfully launched our Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) and associated 340b program, which was officially approved in April 2020. In conjunction with that, we also opened the Shelton satellite, catering to hemophilia patients in Fairfield and New Haven counties. The 340b program is important as it allows the various factors for hemophilia treatment to be obtained at a discount from manufacturers with the resultant net revenue used to support and enhance services provided to our HTC patients. To support this expanded service, we recruited two new providers, Laura McKay, MD, who completed her fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Michigan and who was a former chief resident at Connecticut Children’s, along with a nurse practitioner, Emily Bisson, APRN. In early March, right before strict social distancing measures were imposed in response to the pandemic, we celebrated the dedication of the new inpatient adolescent and young adult (AYA) lounge. The development of the lounge is part of a partnership plan with Teen Cancer America. On the same day, we also dedicated the newly renovated Teen Lounge in our outpatient clinic with the generous support of Lyman Orchards of Middlefield, CT. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, many of our staff received recognitions throughout the year: • Natasha Frederick, MD, MPH, was elected co-chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Sexual Health Task Force. 76
ANNUAL ACADEMIC REPORT 2020
• Joanna Gell, MD, was elected co-leader of the Basic Biology Section of the MaGIC (Malignant Germ Cell International Consortium). • Eileen Gillan, MD, was honored as recipient of the CT Brain Tumor Alliance Award for Pediatric Oncology Excellence for development of the Pediatric Neuro-oncology Program for the State of Connecticut. • Michael Isakoff, MD, was the recipient of the Heart of Gold Award from the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation at their annual summit. In addition, he was also elected president of the Connecticut Children’s Medical Staff. • Barbara Cohen, RN, BSN, CPON, was awarded the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. • Mary Keller, MSN, RN, CPHON, was elected to the COG Nursing Nominating Committee. • Megan Coco, APRN, received the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses Counts Writing Award. • Mary Laliberte, LCSW, was elected treasurer of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers representing Connecticut Children’s. • Jeanne Walczak, RN, BSN, CPON, was recognized as one of the Connecticut Children’s Health Care Heroes. In addition, a number of us were invited to be grand round speakers on topics including: • Fertility Preservation for Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Patients (Dr. Frederick, Victoria Pohl, APRN, and Hayley Shaw, RN, BSN, CPHON)
In terms of research, we have made significant progress in several areas. In particular, we discovered the molecular mechanism of action of the fusion protein C11orf95/RELA in a rare pediatric brain tumor, ependymoma. Because this is a very common fusion found in this type of tumor, for which there currently is no effective chemotherapy, we can now make use of this finding to explore the various options for developing novel targeting therapy. To facilitate this type of therapeutic research, we have also successfully developed a new genetically engineered mouse model harboring the identical human fusion gene. With another rare brain tumor, craniopharyngioma, for which there is also no effective treatment, we are making use of insilico drug screening to find compounds that could target an activated pathway (WNT) that is commonly found in this type of tumor. Our early results indicate that we have identified some compounds that have activity against such a pathway. We are grateful that in recognition of this exciting ongoing research we received a generous philanthropic gift of $1 million in support of this research. In addition, we continue to be successful in attracting external grants including: • Grace A. and George L. Long Foundation grant and Johnson Family Foundation grant to Natalie Bezler, MD, MPH • ATHN Data Quality Counts grant to Donna Boruchov, MD • NAPNAP Foundation grant to Megan Coco, APRN • Teen Cancer America grant to Dr. Frederick • Connecticut Brain Tumor Alliance grant to Eileen Gillan, MD
• The 20/20 Perspective of Pediatric Oncology (Division chief Ching Lau, MD, PhD)
• Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research grant and National Pediatric Cancer Foundation grant to Dr. Isakoff
• Assessment and Management of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in Adolescents (Amanda Zuse, APRN)
• Reid R. Sacco Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Alliance grant to Dr. Isakoff
• We’re Done! Now What? Family Members’ Satisfaction and Preparedness When the End of Cancer Treatment Is Reached. (Andrew Needham, RN, BSN, BA, Ms. Keller, and Kelly Foy, MS, CCLS)
• National Pediatric Cancer Foundation grant to Dr. Isakoff • Jackson Laboratory Director Innovation Fund grant to Dr. Lau
