Oncology program
No one ever wants to hear that their child has cancer. But if it happens, you do want to hear that you have one of the leading-edge children's cancer centers nearby–Cook Children's.
Cancer in children, teens and young adults is rare, and some types of childhood cancers are extremely rare. Finding an experienced team that has treated those cancers is literally a life-altering decision.
Cook Children's Oncology Program
The oncology program at Cook Children's is one of only a handful of pediatric cancer programs in the southwest, and one of only four in Texas that are a Children's Oncology Group member institute. In addition, our team of physician-researchers is among the most respected in the country. What that means to you and your child is access to tomorrow's treatments and cures, today.
Our doctors are actively pursuing cures for cancer. Because of our participation in ongoing national research studies, we are able to offer many patients the opportunity to participate in studies, giving them access to the most recent medicines and advanced treatments, including genetics, nuclear medicine, stem cell transplants, and more.
Our cancer center includes stem cell transplant rooms, an inpatient and outpatient infusion center, 28 inpatient beds in private rooms, a dedicated pharmacy, Texas' first and only I-131-MIBG suite for advanced targeted treatment of neuroblastoma tumors.
While our specialty is treating and curing cancer in our patients, we also take extra care of their childhood and teen years so that they can have the support and do not pause their lives as they grow into happy, healthy adults.
Who we treat
The oncology program at Cook Children's is open to any child from infancy through young adulthood who is suspected of having cancer, has been diagnosed with cancer, or who wants a second opinion. Our patients range in age from newborn to early 20s, and sometimes even older if we are one of the only centers close by that treats the type of cancer they have. We see patients from our local area and those in other states in even other countries. And thanks to the support of our community and our social services team, we never turn away a child who needs care simply because they can't afford it.
What we treat
The oncology team at Cook Children's treats all types of cancers and tumors in children, including:
Our specialty care team
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Additional team members
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Lisa Bashore
PhD, RN, CPNP, CPON -
Amy Bayles
MSN, RN, CPNP, CPON -
Lisa Dalton
MSN, RN, FNP-BC
Active oncology research studies
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A COLLABORATIVE PHASE 2 STUDY OF VENETOCLAX IN COMBINATION WITH CONVENTIONAL CHEMOTHERAPY IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA
Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth
IRB ID: 2024-032 (OPEN)
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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)
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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)
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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 (OPEN)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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 (OPEN)
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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)
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A Phase 3 Study of Selumetinib (NSC# 748727, IND# 77782) 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
Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo
IRB ID: 2021-017 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)
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A Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Vinorelbine, Dactinomycin, and Cyclophosphamide (VINO-AC) Plus Maintenance Chemotherapy with Vinorelbine and Oral Cyclophosphamide (VINO-C) 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 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)
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A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF INOTUZUMAB OZOGAMICIN IN PATIENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND ACUTELYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA
Primary Investigator: Pacenta, Holly
IRB ID: 2023-062 (OPEN)
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AALL1621, 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)
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AALL2121: A Phase 2 study of revumenib (SNDX-5613) in combination with chemotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory KMT2A-rearranged infant leukemia
Primary Investigator: Pacenta, Holly
IRB ID: 2024-114 (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO ACCRUAL)
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ACCL1931: 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: 2023-096 (OPEN)
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AHOD2131: A Randomized Phase 3 Interim Response Adapted Trial Comparing Standard Therapy with Immuno-oncology Therapy for Children and Adults with Newly Diagnosed Stage I and II Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma
Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen
IRB ID: 2023-056 (OPEN)
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ALTE05N1, Umbrella Long-Term Follow-up Protocol
Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald
IRB ID: 2010-109 (OPEN)
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ALTE2131 Triptorelin and Protection of Ovarian Reserve in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer An NCORP Phase 3 Study
Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen
IRB ID: 2025-025 (OPEN)
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ALTE21C1: Assessment of Clonal Hematopoiesis and its Relationship to Cardiovascular Disease in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors
Primary Investigator: Beam MD, Donald
IRB ID: 2023-067 (OPEN)
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An International Pilot Study of Chemotherapy and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors with Blinatumomab in Patients with Newly-Diagnosed Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive or ABL-class Philadelphia Chromosome-Like B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth
IRB ID: COG_AALL2131_Heym 2025-080 (OPEN)
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APAL2020SC: Pediatric Acute Leukemia (PedAL) Screening Trial – Developing New Therapies for Relapsed Leukemias
Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly
IRB ID: 2024-008 (OPEN)
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APEC1621SC: NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH (Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice) Screening Protocol
Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly
IRB ID: 2017-065 (OPEN)
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ARAR2221: A Phase 2 Study Using Chemoimmunotherapy with Gemcitabine, Cisplatin and Nivolumab in Newly Diagnosed Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC)
Primary Investigator: Greer MD, Chelsee
IRB ID: 2024-071 (OPEN)
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CAMPFIRE: Children’s and Young Adult Master Protocol for Innovative Pediatric Research
Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly
IRB ID: 2020-066 (OPEN)
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COG_ALTE22C1 (DS-PALS Survivors)_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)
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Exploration of Perceived Stress, Sleep, Fatigue, Physical Activity, and Biomarkers in Childhood Brain Tumor Survivors
Primary Investigator: Bashore NP, Lisa M
IRB ID: 2018-010 (OPEN)
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Fort Worth AYA Oncology Coalition Registry Database
Primary Investigator: Albritton MD, Karen
IRB ID: 2019-017 (OPEN)
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H-40889 Clinical Predictors of Treatment-Related Toxicity Among Children Receiving Cancer Therapy
Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth
IRB ID: 2019-051 (OPEN)
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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)
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Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma: Hematology and Oncology Survey Study (KHHAOS Study)
Primary Investigator: Heym MD, Kenneth
IRB ID: 2021-051 (OPEN)
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n/a
Primary Investigator: Vallance MD, Kelly
IRB ID: 2025-046 (OPEN)
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National Registry of Pediatric Cancer Patients Diagnosed with COVID-19
Primary Investigator:
IRB ID: 2020-034 (OPEN)
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Phase 3 Accelerated BEP Trial: 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)
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Project DANCES (Diversity in Aya caNCEr Survivors)
Primary Investigator:
IRB ID: 2024-048 (OPEN)
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RANDOMIZATION OF CYTARABINE MONOTHERAPY VERSUS STANDARD-OF-CARE VINBLASTINE/PREDNISONE FOR FRONTLINE TREATMENT OF LANGERHANS CELL HISTIOCYTOSIS (TXCH LCH0115)
Primary Investigator: Ray MD, Anish
IRB ID: 2019-067 (OPEN)
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Signatera Efficacy Study
Primary Investigator:
IRB ID: Dell Childrens_Signatera Efficacy_Ray (OPEN)
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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: 2023-057 (OPEN)
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Targeted approach to Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH) using MEK inhibitor, Trametinib.
Primary Investigator: Ray MD, Anish
IRB ID: 2023-058 (OPEN)
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Tissue Banking- Collecting and Banking Human Tissue Samples for Future Use
Primary Investigator: Zhao, MD, Sibo
IRB ID: 2020-093 (OPEN)
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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)
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 682-885-4007.