4 minute read
New clinical trial for fatal childhood cancer
by IN-SPHERE
DIPG is the most aggressive of all childhood cancers and is one of the only cancers that still lacks effective treatment. This rare, fast-growing and incurable tumour forms in part of the brain stem called the pons, which is responsible for vital functions like breathing, sleeping, bladder control, and balance.
For the first time outside of the United States, doctors in the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick (SCH) will use CAR-T cell therapy to try to attack and destroy the fatal tumour, offering new hope to children living with the devastating disease.
The trial, called Levi’s Catch, will use CAR-T cell therapy to genetically modify a patient’s own immune cells in a laboratory to teach them to target and attack the tumour. Once reinfused into the patient, it is hoped these immune cells will have the ability to scan and destroy harmful cancer cells without damaging most other healthy cells.
Clinical trial lead, Professor David Ziegler, Senior Staff Specialist in the Kids Cancer Centre at SCH and Group Leader of the Brain Tumours Group at Children’s Cancer Institute explains that CAR-T cell therapy is a cutting-edge approach to treating DIPG.
“This is a completely new way of attacking this deadly brain cancer. If we can take what we have already learnt in the use of CAR-T cell therapy for treating other childhood cancers and translate this to help treat kids with brain cancer, it could be a game changer,” Prof Ziegler said.
The trial aims to help children, like eight-year-old Levi, who the trial is named after. Levi was diagnosed with DIPG in late 2017, which lead to an intensive treatment journey at the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital. Over the course of a year, Levi underwent numerous surgeries, radiation, immunotherapy, experimental drug treatments as well as various medical examinations and tests. Tragically, Levi succumbed to his tumour in December 2018.
Prof Ziegler emphasises that it is children like Levi who inspire their research efforts.
“Every year, we see too many children, like Levi, die of this devastating disease. These children are what drives our research and reminds us that we need to be on the cuttingedge of research and treatment every single day.
“It’s because of these kids that we will never accept the status quo and will continue to push boundaries so children don’t have to die from DIPG.”
To honour Levi’s legacy, his parents, Ben and Kath, set up Levi’s Project and have since raised more than $4 million, with another $2 million pledged for DIPG research. This includes contributing $600,000 towards the Levi’s Catch trial.
“Having seen firsthand the devastating effects of DIPG, we are proud that Levi’s Project is able to fund such important work,” Kathryn said.
“We are excited to see this clinical trial, in honour of our boy Levi, open across Australia, providing what we hope will be the first effective treatment for children with this devastating disease.
Professor Ziegler said this support has been integral to making the trial possible.
“Through their fundraising efforts, Levi’s family and friends have really boosted our DIPG research program, both in the labs and in clinical trials. Thanks to their support, we are one of the first places in the world to be able to offer this sort of treatment and give new options to help kids like Levi.”
Levi’s Catch is open to children across Australia and is a collaboration between the Kids Cancer Centre at SCH, Children’s Cancer Institute, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the University of South Australia, with support from the Cancer Institute NSW.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/3Xt8IrX
What is DIPG?
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a tumour that develops in the pons, a critical region located within the brainstem. This condition primarily affects children, typically between the ages of 5 and 10. In Australia, approximately 20 children are diagnosed with DIPG each year.
The standard treatment for DIPG involves radiotherapy, which often initially shrinks the tumour. However, in the majority of cases, the tumour regrows aggressively and becomes fatal. Unfortunately, there have been limited advancements in treatment effectiveness or survival rates for DIPG over the past four decades.
