Hematology and Oncology Accomplishments
Accomplishments
Cook Children's Hematology and Oncology Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer and blood disorders through innovative research, groundbreaking treatments and trail-blazing clinical trials. Discover why our program is among the best in the U.S.
2024
Saoud C, Agaimy A, Dermawan JK, Chen JF, Rosenblum MK, Dickson BC, Dashti N, Michal M, Kosemehmetoglu K, Din NU, Albritton K, Agaram NP, Antonescu CR. Am J Surg Pathol. 2024 Oct 1;48(10):1302-1317. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000002272. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38934567
Goldstein JA, Renfro LA, Jennings LJ, Mullen EA, Geller J, Vallance KL, Fernandez CV, Perlman EJ. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2024 Oct 1;148(10):e362-e366. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0528-OA. PMID: 38116848; PMCID: PMC11186972.
Hirschi OR, Felker SA, Rednam SP, Vallance KL, Parsons DW, Roy A, Cooper GM, Plon SE. Genet Med Open. 2024 May 15;2:101850. doi: 10.1016/j.gimo.2024.101850. PMID: 39669609; PMCID: PMC11613871.
Desrosiers-Battu LR, Wang T, Reuther J, Miles G, Dai H, Jo E, Russell H, Raesz-Martinez R, Recinos A, Gutierrez S, Thomas A, Berenson E, Corredor J, Nugent K, Wyatt Castillo R, Althaus R, Littlejohn R, Gessay S, Tomlinson G, Gill J, Bernini JC, Vallance KL, Griffin T, Scollon S, Lin FY, Eng C, Kulkarni S, Hilsenbeck SG, Roy A, McGuire AL, Parsons DW, Plon SE. JCO Precis Oncol. 2024 Sep;8:e2400187. doi: 10.1200/PO.24.00187. PMID: 39259914; PMCID: PMC11392521.
Dabrafenib and Trametinib in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and Other Histiocytic Disorders
Cournoyer E, Ferrell J, Sharp S, Ray A, Jordan M, Dandoy C, Grimley M, Roy S, Lorsbach R, Merrow AC, Nelson A, Bartlett A, Picarsic J, Kumar A. Haematologica. 2024 Apr 1;109(4):1137-1148. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2023.283295. PMID: 37731389; PMCID: PMC10985423.
Harris RD, Taylor OA, Gramatges MM, Hughes AE, Zobeck M, Pruitt S, Bernhardt MB, Chavana A, Huynh V, Ludwig K, Klesse L, Heym KM, Griffin T, Erana R, Bernini JC, Choi A, Ohno Y, Richard MA, Morrison AC, Chen H, Yu B, Lupo PJ, Rabin K, Scheurer ME, Brown AL. Pharmacotherapy. 2024 Dec 29. doi: 10.1002/phar.4638. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39734275.
Leavitt AP, Albritton KH, Cazzell M, Stevenson E. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Nurs. 2024 May-Jun;41(3):212-219. doi: 10.1177/27527530231221134. Epub 2024 Mar 24. PMID: 38523328.
Vuocolo B, Gutierrez AM, Robinson JO, Recinos AM, Desrosiers LR, Majumder MA, Bernini JC, Gill J, Griffin T, Tomlinson GE, Vallance KL, McGuire AL, Parsons DW, Plon SE, Scollon S. J Genet Couns. 2024 Dec;33(6):1337-1350. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1858. Epub 2024 Jan 15. PMID: 38225886; PMCID: PMC11247135.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in Pediatric Oncology Patients: A Single-Institution Experience
Wojciechowska N, Orr K, Albritton K, Heym KM, Vallance KL, Murray L, Aguilar R, Ray A. Hemato. 2024; 5(1):66-80. doi.org/10.3390/hemato5010007
Wojciechowska N, Burke S, Ray A. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 2024 October; 46(7):p 383-387. DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002927
Methotrexate Level Discrepancy Post-Glucarpidase: A Pediatric Case Series and Review of Literature
Kibby D, Trinkman H. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Mar;71(3):e30831. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30831. Epub 2023 Dec 27. PMID: 38149827.
Pharmacogenomic Score Effectively Personalizes Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Marrero RJ, Wu H, Cao X, Parcha PK, Elsayed AH, Inaba H, Kuo DJ, Degar BA, Heym KM, Taub JW, Lacayo N, Pui CH, Ribeiro RC, Rubnitz JE, Pounds SB, Lamba JK. Clin Cancer Res. 2024 Oct 1;30(19):4388-4396. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0863. PMID: 39078289; PMCID: PMC11444877.
Pharmacogenomics, Race, and Treatment Outcome in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Lamba JK, Marrero R, Wu H, Cao X, Parcha PK, Karol SE, Inaba H, Kuo DJ, Degar BA, Heym KM, Taub JW, Lacayo NJ, Pui CH, Ribeiro RC, Pounds SB, Rubnitz JE. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2411726. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.11726. PMID: 38753328; PMCID: PMC11099689.
Precision Medicine for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Children: A Review
Ray A, Levitt M, Efunkoya T, Trinkman H. Children (Basel). 2024 Oct 30;11(11):1329. doi: 10.3390/children11111329. PMID: 39594904; PMCID: PMC11593090.
Evageliou N, Renfro LA, Geller J, Perlman E, Kalapurakal J, Paulino A, Dix D, Eklund MJ, Murphy AJ, Romao RLP, Ehrlich PF, Varela CR, Vallance KL, Fernandez CV, Dome JS, Mullen EA. Cancer. 2024 Mar 1;130(5):792-802. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35084. Epub 2023 Oct 30. PMID: 37902955; PMCID: PMC10993001.
Betts AC, Roth ME, Albritton K, Pruitt SL, Lupo PJ, Wang JS, Shay LA, Allicock MA, Murphy CC. Cancer. 2024 Sep 1;130(17):2928-2937. doi: 10.1002/cncr.35341. Epub 2024 May 2. PMID: 38696087; PMCID: PMC11364139.
Chandrakasan S, Jordan MB, Baker A, Behrens EM, Bhatla D, Chien M, Eckstein OS, Henry MM, Hermiston ML, Hinson AP, Leiding JW, Oladapo A, Patel SA, Pednekar P, Ray A, Dávila Saldaña B, Sarangi SN, Walkovich KJ, Yee JD, Zoref-Lorenz A, Allen CE. Blood Adv. 2024 May 14;8(9):2248-2258. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012217. PMID: 38429096; PMCID: PMC11117018.
Winzent-Oonk S, Staley A, Alami V, Bradley J, Harvey S, Pounds A, Kuldanek S, Pacenta H, Winters AC, McKinney C. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Jan;72(1):e31254. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31254. Epub 2024 Aug 8. PMID: 39118250.
Role of Medical Students in a Pediatric Oncology Precision Medicine Clinic
Zumwalt L, Schluterman H, Ray A. BMC Medical Education, December, 2024
The Effects of Proton and Photon Radiation Therapy on the Development of Pediatric Dermatitis
Kumar S, Gonzalez A, Farbo D, Albritton K, Ray A. Radiation. 2024; 4(4):336-345. doi: 10.3390/radiation4040025
Treatment Practices and Response in Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Borst AJ, Eng W, Griffin M, Ricci KW, Engel E, Adams DM, Dayneka J, Cohen-Cutler SJ, Andreoli SM, Wu MD, Wheeler AP, Heym KM, Crary SE, Nakano TA, Schulte RR, Setty BA, McLean TW, Pahl KS, Intzes S, Pateva I, Teitelbaum M, Zong Z, Li Y, Jeng MR. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Mar;71(3):e30779. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30779. Epub 2023 Dec 10. PMID: 38073018.
Elledge D, Leavitt A, Hoeft A, Albritton K. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2024 Dec;13(6):820-825. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2023.0170. Epub 2024 Jul 3. PMID: 38959175.
American Society of Hematology
A Retrospective Study of Inotuzumab Ozogamicin in Individuals with Down Syndrome and B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Li AM, Aftandilian C, Colace S, Fanizzi S, Faulk KE, Guest EM, Hayani A, Ho R, Khanna A, Leger K, McCall D, Miller TP, Pacenta HL, et al., (December 2024). Poster presented, San Diego, CA.
Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Response and Survival of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults (CAYA) with Relapsed and/or Refractory (R/R) T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) and Lymphoma (T-LL) Treated with Curative Intent: A TACL Consortium Study
Pauly MG, Chi Y, Malvar J, Leong R, Colace S, Gossai N, Hijiya N, Parekh C, Rheingold SR, Verma A, Chang BH, Cooper TM, Doan A, Huerta Y, Faulk KE, Hanna D, Heym KM, Heneghan M, Kaplan J, Dalla-Pozza L, Karol SE, Place A, Rossoff J, Schafer ES, Slone T, Hermiston ML, Sulis M. (December 2024). Abstract, San Diego, CA.
Role of B Cell Recovery in Relapse Risk and CD19 Phenotype Following Real-World Use of Tisagenlecleucel for Pediatric B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study
Zeng XL, Kwon S, Vatsayan A, Baggott C, Prabhu S, John S, Pacenta HL, et al., (December 2024). Poster presented, San Diego, CA.
Safety and Feasibility of Blinatumomab as Frontline Therapy for Pediatric Patients with B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoma: St. Jude Total Therapy Study XVII
Duffy C, Dang E, Yinmei Z, Bell J, Bhakta N, Henry M, Heym KM, Jeha S, Lacayo NJ, Karol SE, Khaw SL, Ribeiro R, Schiff D, Mullighan C, Yang J, Cheng C, Pui CH, Inaba H. (December 2024). Abstract, San Diego, CA.
American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Congenital Multi-System Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Responding to Targeted Therapy with Trametinib
Wojciechowska N, Ray A. (2024, April). Poster presented, Seattle, WA.
Creation of a Tumor Molecular Testing Registry: An Update
Orr K, Ray A.(2024, April). Poster presented, Seattle, WA.
Immunotherapy in Pediatrics
Wojciechowska N, Ray A. (2024, April). Poster presented, Seattle, WA.
Osteoblastoma: A Case Series
Wojciechowska N, Murray L, Aguilar R, Ray A. (2024, April). Poster presented, Seattle, WA.
Role of Medical Students in a Pediatric Oncology Precision Medicine Clinic
Keane M, Wojciechowska N, Ray A. (2024, April). Poster presented, Seattle, WA.
Venetoclax use as Salvage Treatment for Post-CAR T Relapse in B-ALL
Dong E, Schiff D, Rossoff J, Hoover A, Pacenta HL, et al., (May 2024). Abstract, Seattle, WA.
American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Risk Factors for Hematotoxicity Following Tisagenlecleucel for Pediatric B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
McNerney KO, Fabrizio VA, Talleur AC, Lim SS, Dreyzin A, Baggott C, Vatsayan A, Prabhu S, Rossoff J, Pacenta HL, et al., (February 2024). Abstract, San Antonio, TX.
Establishing Costs for Commercial Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell (Tisagenlecleucel; Kymriah) in Children and Young Adult B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Merged Analysis from the Pediatric Real-World CAR Consortium (PRWCC) and Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS)
Satwani P, Chao K, Lopez-Garcia M, Hall M, Jin Z, Winestone LE, Friedman D, Phelan R, Baggott C, John S, Pacenta HL, et al., (February 2024). Abstract, San Antonio, TX.
Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses
Creation of a MDC Genetic Oncology Program in a Pediatric Intuition
Smith, K et al. (2024, September). Poster presented, Salt Lake City, UT.
Exercise is Medicine: Improving Patient Outcomes through a Mobility Interdisciplinary Program
Anderson C, Durbin A, Moffer M. (2024, September). Podium presentation, Salt Lake City, UT.
It’s the B’s Knees: Implementation of Subcutaneous Ig Infusions in an Outpatient Infusion Center
Doty H, Marshall L. (2024, September). Poster presented, Salt Lake City, UT.
Precision Medicine: The Role of the Registered Nurse Coordinator in the Development of a Specialty Clinic
Anthony, A. (2024, September). Poster presented, Salt Lake City, UT.
International Society of Pediatric Oncology
Creation of a Multi-Disciplinary Genetic Oncology Program in a Pediatric Intuition
Smith K, Vallance KL. (2024, October). Honolulu, HI.
Updated Favorable Histology Wilms Tumor Risk Stratification: Utilizing Clinical, Histologic, and Molecular Features to Provide Personalized Therapy
Benedetti D, Cost N, Ehrlich P, Evageliou N, Fialkowski E, Parsons L, Vallance KL, Renfro L, Hong A, Aldrink J, Pater L, Paulino A, Sandberg J, Smith E, Treece A, Dome J, Geller J, Mullen E. (2024, October). Abstract, Honolulu, HI.
Oncology Nutrition Symposium
Nutrition Management of Children Diagnosed with Central Nervous System Tumors: Development of Consensus Statements by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists
Hill R, Ringwald-Smith K, Hambuchen C, Cartwright C, Maxwell K. (2024, April). Atlanta, GA.
Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center Research Symposium
Comparing the Diagnostic Yield of Germline Exome versus Panel Sequencing in the Diverse Population of the Texas KidsCanSeq Pediatric Cancer Study
Desrosiers-Battu LR, Wang T, Reuther J, Miles G, Dai H, Jo E, Russell H, Raesz-Martinez R, Recinos A, Gutierrez S, Thomas A, Berenson E, Corredor J, Nugent K, Wyatt Castillo R, Althaus R, Littlejohn R, Gessay S, Tomlinson G, Gill J, Bernini JC, Vallance KL, Griffin T, Scollon S, Lin FY, Eng C, Kulkarni S, Hilsenbeck SG, Roy A, McGuire AL, Parsons DW, Plon SE. (2024, May). Abstract, Houston, TX.
Cook Children's Grand Rounds
Precisely! Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics at Cook Children's
Wojciechowska N, Trinkman H, Orr K, Hamilton L, Ray A. (2024, February)
Cook Children's Endocrine Symposium
Precision Medicine
Anish Ray, M.D. (2024, September)
Cook Children's Pharmacy: Brain Food
Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis
Sara Frey, PharmD (2024, March)
Updates on Investigational Trials and Drugs
Jamie Haswell, PharmD (2024, May)
Anti-GD2 Therapy for High Risk Neuroblastoma
Bel Seyoum, PharmD (2024, June)
Make No Bones About It: Relapsed/Refractory Osteosarcoma
Lauren Duran, PharmD, MBA, BCPPS (2024, July)
Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors
Aaron Knott, PharmD (2024, August)
A BiTE of Blinatumomab
Tolu Efunkoya, PharmD (2024, September)
Updates on Investigational Trials and Drugs
Micha Koentz, PharmD and Luke Hamilton, MS (2024, November)
Cook Children's Research Symposium
The Unique Role of a Pharmacist in Clinical Research
Micha Koentz, PharmD and Jamie Haswell, PharmD (2024, February)
Creation of a Tumor Molecular Testing Registry: An Update
Orr K, Cooper S, Jernigan H, Koentz M, Wojciechowska N, Ray A. (2024, February). Posted presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Advanced Topics for Oncology Pharmacy Professionals
Throw Me a Rope & Working Groups: Breaking Down Barriers to Medication Access
Micha Koentz, PharmD (2024, June)
American Society of Hematology
Update in Treatment of HLH/Hemophagocytosis
Anish Ray, M.D. (2024, February)
Children's Oncology Group
AREN2231 Risk Adapted Treatment of Unilateral Favorable Histology Wilms Tumor
Kelly Vallance, M.D. (2024, September)
Medical City Dallas
Precision Oncology
Anish Ray, M.D. (2024, June)
Mexican Association of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology
Precision Oncology
Anish Ray, M.D. (2024, February)
Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group
Lifestyle Interventions for Pediatric ALL Patients
Rachel Hill, RD, CSO, LD, CNSC and Colleen Trupkin, MPH, RD, CSP, CSO (2024, October)
Texas Tech University
Neuroblastoma: A Shifting Tide
Chelsee Greer, D.O. (2024, September)
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Precision Oncology
Anish Ray, M.D. (2024, February)
Cellular Immunotherapy
We had five Kymriah infusions in 2024. Over the year, we had six referrals to the program and six collections of cells. For leukemia patients in 2024, we had a 100% response rate by flow/morphology at 30 days post infusion (5/5 patients). Since program inception leukemia patients have had a 95% response rate by flow/morphology at 30 days post infusion (18/19 patients). Since program inception, lymphoma patients have had a 100% response rate (partial response) at 30 days post infusion. We continue to provide nursing education at HO Orientation, SCT Prep Course, Texas Christian University Pediatric Oncology Elective, Inpatient Quality Initiative Smart Cart, and SCT Workshop Class. Development and delivery of presentation at inpatient and outpatient staff meeting on measuring MRD in ALL: NGS MRD vs. Flow. Hannah Doty, program coordinator, was asked to serve on the Novartis Advisory Board at the Tandem meeting commencing in February 2025.
Education
We welcomed 17 medical students in 2024. All students researched a patient of interest and prepared a presentation for the weekly Precision Medicine Clinic Case Conference. Students were also given the opportunity to engage in a research project related to a specific oncologic disease, with mentorship provided to guide the student on developing the project throughout their rotation. Students also completed at least one peer review of a manuscript submitted for publication.
Endowed Chair Program
Dr. Ray has been awarded an Endowed Chair to lead the development of Precision Medicine. Originating within Oncology, the program is structured around two primary objectives: advancing targeted therapeutics and pharmacogenomics. The program’s overarching aim is to enhance understanding of the genetic factors influencing diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and side effect management in pediatric patients.
Current initiatives include a weekly molecular tumor board, a monthly educational conference, pharmacogenomics consultations, and clinical trials focused on LCH-targeted therapy and anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Partnerships with community organizations are being established to support research on circulating tumor DNA and the creation of a North Texas biobank.
Future plans involve launching a journal club, expanding system-wide precision medicine education and community outreach, evaluating variants of unknown significance, and developing real-time data analysis tools. These efforts are designed to deepen genomic knowledge and translate it into improved patient outcomes.
Genetic Oncology Program
Since its inception in 2019, the Genetic Oncology Program has experienced rapid and significant growth. Following the receipt of the Cook Children’s Multidisciplinary Grant for FY 2023, the clinic has expanded its multidisciplinary team to include a geneticist, genetic counselor, program coordinator, social worker, and child life specialist.
The successful development of a comprehensive program, inclusive of ancillary services, has enabled us to provide a structured surveillance regimen and a true “one-stop shop” for evaluation, education, genetic testing, counseling, and ongoing surveillance. Currently, the Genetic Oncology Clinic manages 310 active patients with over 50 distinct diagnoses, and we have increased our utilization of targeted therapies.
Our team’s work has been recognized through poster presentations at both the Cook Children’s Research Symposium and APHON and a podium presentation at SIOP conference. The clinic’s efforts have resulted in increased surveillance, earlier cancer diagnoses, improved patient outcomes, and the identification of family members at risk for hereditary cancers. Since 2019, our surveillance program has detected 42 cases, including pre-symptomatic and symptomatic cancers, pre-malignant lesions, and benign lesions.
The Genetic Oncology Program remains committed to delivering exceptional clinical care and advancing toward becoming a center of clinical excellence.
Molecular Tumor Board
Since its inception, this program has grown significantly from monthly to currently discussing two or more patients a week. This also reflects widespread adoption of next generation sequencing of tumor samples of newly diagnosed and relapsed patients. Meetings are Thursday afternoons. We are pleased to offer CME, CNE, and Pharmacy credits for 2025.
Neuroblastoma Program
The Neuroblastoma program has been in a period of transition which has come with some challenges. The team has exceptionally navigated this transition and continues to strive to provide excellent clinical care for this patient population. We have maintained our NANT guest site status and are pleased to announce that we will have a phase II NANT trial open soon which will offer NK cells in addition to chemo-immunotherapy for relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma patients. Much of the neuroblastoma clinical research is currently focused on improving the response and durability to immunotherapy so we are excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this research. The team also continues to explore options with pharmaceutical companies, as well as other consortiums, which may allow for earlier phase clinical trials to be available here at Cook. We continue to have out of state referrals for MIBG therapy and are hoping to grow these relationships not only for MIBG patients but other clinical trial options. Dr. Greer has worked to strengthen our relationships with our West Texas colleagues and had the opportunity to give Grand Rounds both in the fall in El Paso and in January in Lubbock. Both talks were well received and resulted in new opportunities for collaboration. The team participated in a multi-site retrospective chart review which assessed the real world experience of chemo-immunotherapy in relapsed/refractory patients and was accepted as an oral abstract at the ANR conference in May. We also performed a retrospective analysis of our patient’s ctDNA findings and clinical correlation to relapse and response to therapy, which will be presented as a poster at ANR. We were awarded a Blue Peak Foundation Grant for the 2024 year, specifically focused on aiding with startup costs of the NANT clinical trial and some of the ancillary laboratory needs. We also have all the open up front studies through COG and have been able to enroll all our new high risk patients. We received a commendation through COG for being the first site to enroll a patient on the new biology study and have received several accolades for the diligence in our reporting for the patients enrolled on ANBL2131 which has quite rigorous and cumbersome reporting requirements. Our goal is to continue to grow our referral base so that we have larger numbers to allow for more therapeutic clinical trial options for our patients. Our top priority for 2025 is to strive to bring GD2 CART availability here to Cook.
Pharmacogenomics
In 2024, the Pharmacogenomics (PGx) Service has been consulted and completed PGx testing on 90 patients, a 20% increase from the prior year. These consults are heavily oncology based (81% of consults) with other consulting groups including pain management, genetics, cardiology, stem cell transplant, and nephrology. A major development this past year has been full Epic integration of PGx results. This included the creation of the “Genomic Indicators” activity in Epic to aide visibility of PGx results as well as improved clinical decision support (CDS). The CDS improvements consist of passive inline alerts as well as active alerts when patients have genomic data with PGx recommendations for specific medications. Outside of EMR integration, our team has presented the service to multiple specialty groups within the hospital including Pain Management and Renal Transplant. Additionally, we have presented about pharmacogenomics at hospital wide Grand Rounds as well as the Endocrine Conference. We are actively continuing to grow our service, increase visibility throughout the hospital, and growing our presence in national PGx groups.
Precision Medicine Conference
This is a monthly conference posting invited guests from prominent institutions from all over the country. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. We are pleased to offer CME, Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Technician credit for 2025.
Nursing and staff awards
- Rachel Hill, recipient, Peak Performer
- Lauren Duran, recipient, Peak Performer
- Amanda Timmons, recipient, Peak Performer
2023
Gartstein E, Orr K, Eames G, Firan M, Howrey R, Ray A. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 May;70(5):e30184. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30184. Epub 2022 Dec 30.PMID: 36583461
Goldstein JA, Renfro LA, Jennings LJ, Mullen EA, Geller J, Vallance KL, Fernandez CV, Perlman EJ. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2023 Dec 20. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2022-0528-OA. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38116848.
Kibby D, Trinkman H, Ray A, Hamby T, Orr K. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 May 1;45(4):e479-e482. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002627. Epub 2023 Jan 20.PMID: 36716242
Children's Oncology Group's 2023 Blueprint for Research: Renal Tumors
Geller JI, Hong AL, Vallance KL, Evageliou N, Aldrink JH, Cost NG, Treece AL, Renfro LA, Mullen EA; COG Renal Tumor Committee. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Sep;70 Suppl 6(Suppl 6):e30586. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30586. Epub 2023 Jul 21. PMID: 37477907; PMCID: PMC10529605.
Mangum R, Reuther J, Sen Baksi K, Gandhi I, Zabriskie RC, Recinos A, Raesz-Martinez R, Lin FY, Potter SL, Sher AC, Kralik SF, Mohila CA, Chintagumpala MM, Muzny D, Hu J, Gibbs RA, Fisher KE, Bernini JC, Gill J, Griffin TC, Tomlinson GE, Vallance KL, Plon SE, Roy A, Parsons DW. Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023;40(8):719-738. doi: 10.1080/08880018.2023.2228837. Epub 2023 Jun 27. PMID: 37366551; PMCID: PMC10592361.
Dabrafenib and Trametinib in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and Other Histiocytic Disorders
Cournoyer E, Ferrell J, Sharp S, Ray A, Jordan M, Dandoy C, Grimley M, Roy S, Lorsbach R, Merrow AC, Nelson A, Bartlett A, Picarsic J, Kumar A. Haematologica; doi:10.3324/haematol.2023.283295
Examining a Resilience Mental Health App in Adolescents: Acceptability and Feasibility Study
Elledge DK, Lee SC, Stewart SM, Pop R, Trivedi MH, Hughes JL. JMIR Form Res. 2023 Mar 22;7:e38042. doi: 10.2196/38042. PMID: 36947113; PMCID: PMC10132019.
Sharma I, Hamby T, Noorani S, Liu A, Omar S, Ahmad H, Watts S, Hoeft A, Whitworth S, Ray A. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 Apr 1;45(3):e304-e308. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002628. Epub 2023 Feb 3.PMID: 36757018
McNerney KO, Si Lim SJ, Ishikawa K, Dreyzin A, Vatsayan A, Chen JJ, Baggott C, Prabhu S, Pacenta HL, Philips C, Rossoff J, Stefanski HE, Talano JA, Moskop A, Verneris M, Myers D, Karras NA, Brown P, Bonifant CL, Qayed M, Hermiston M, Satwani P, Krupski C, Keating AK, Baumeister SHC, Fabrizio VA, Chinnabhandar V, Egeler E, Mavroukakis S, Curran KJ, Mackall CL, Laetsch TW, Schultz LM. Blood Adv. 2023 Jun 27;7(12):2758-2771. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2022008893.PMID: 36857419
Rousset M, Orr K, Garstein E, Anthony A, Brady S, Rios A, Guirola R, Perez M, Eames G, Howrey H, Trinkman H, Chaimowitz N, Diaz M, Ray A. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. 2023 Aug. doi: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002746. PMID: 37611248.
Intracranial Relapse in Pediatric Sarcoma
Smith D, Hamby T, Heym K, Mohamed A, Vallance KL, Ray, A. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology 45(7):p e810-e816, October 2023. | doi: 10.1097/MPH.00000000000027130000000000002713
Methotrexate Level Discrepancy Post-Glucarpidase: A Pediatric Case Series and Review of Literature
Kibby D, Trinkman H. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Mar;71(3):e30831. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30831. Epub 2023 Dec 27. PMID: 38149827.
Molecular Tumor Boards: The Next Step towards Precision Therapy in Cancer Care
Liu A, Vicenzi P, Sharma I, Orr K, Teller C, Koentz M, Trinkman H, Vallance KL, Ray A. Hematology Reports. 2023; 15(2):244-255. doi.org/10.3390/hematolrep15020025
Ahmad H, Vallance KL, Sharma I, Berry S, Orr K, Ray A. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 Nov 1;45(8):463-466. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002751. Epub 2023 Sep 9. PMID: 37691159.
Schultz LM, Eaton A, Baggott C, Rossoff J, Prabhu S, Keating AK, Krupski C, Pacenta HL, Philips CL, Talano JA, Moskop A, Baumeister SHC, Myers GD, Karras NA, Brown PA, Qayed M, Hermiston M, Satwani P, Wilcox R, Rabik CA, Fabrizio VA, Chinnabhandar V, Kunicki M, Mavroukakis S, Egeler E, Li Y, Mackall CL, Curran KJ, Verneris MR, Laetsch TW, Stefanski H. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Jan 10;41(2):354-363. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01076. Epub 2022 Sep 15.PMID: 36108252
Watts S, Diaz M, Teller C, Hamby T, Guirola R, Perez M, Eames G, Howrey R, Rios A, Trinkman H, Ray A.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 Apr 1;45(3):e328-e333. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002602. Epub 2022 Dec 13.PMID: 36729645
Pediatric Renal Tumor Epidemiology: Global Perspectives, Progress, and Challenges
Libes J, Hol J, Neto JCA, Vallance KL, Tinteren HV, Benedetti DJ, Villar GLR, Duncan C, Ehrlich PF. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 May;70 Suppl 2:e30343. doi: 10.1002/pbc.30343. PMID: 37096796
Hill R, Hamby T, Levitt M, Siebert G, Diaz M, Mohamed A. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 Apr 10. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002674. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37053507.
Evageliou N, Renfro L, Geller J, Perlman E, Kalapurakal J, Paulino A, Dix D, Eklund M, Murphy A, Ramao R, Ehrlich P, Varela C, Vallance KL, Fernandez C, Dome J, Mullen E Cancer. 2023; 1-11. doi: 10.1002/cncr. 350084
Orr K, Hustak S, Beaudoin R, Ray A. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 May 1;45(4):e534-e538. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002599. Epub 2022 Nov 21.PMID: 36730444
Strategies for the Treatment of Infantile Soft Tissue Sarcomas with BCOR Alterations
Merjaneh N, Kim H, Escoto H, Metts J, Ray A, Bukowinski A, LeBlanc Z, Fair D, Watanbe M, Alva E, Todd K, Daley J, Hartt D, Cramer SL, Szabo S, Pressey JG. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2023 Jan 10. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002620. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36706311
Utilization of Genomic Tumor Profiling in Pediatric Liquid Tumors: A Clinical Series
Sharma I, Son MJ, Motamedi S, Hoeft A, Teller C, Hamby T, Ray A. Hematol Rep. 2023 Apr 19;15(2):256-265. doi: 10.3390/hematolrep15020026.PMID: 37092520
American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics
Hirschi O, Felker S, Rednam S, Vallance KL, Parsons DW, Roy A, Cooper G, Plon S. Abstract, ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting 2023. Genetics in Medicine Open, Volume 1, Issue 1, Supplement, 2023,100078, ISSN 2949-7744, doi.org/10.1016/j.gimo.2023.100078
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Expansion of the Fertility Preservation Program to All Newly Diagnosed Prepubertal Oncology Patients at a Pediatric Hospital
Leavitt A, Albritton K, Cazzell M, Stevenson E. Abstract, American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2023. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.10064 Journal of Clinical Oncology 41, no. 16_suppl (June 01, 2023).
Social Determinants of Health Burden among Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients and Impact on Overall Survival
Rodriguez E, Tonn T, Jafry M, Xiao Q, Cuglievan B, Ahmed S, Livingston J, Aune G, Albritton K, Flowers C, Roth M, Hildebrandt M. Abstract, American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting 2023. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2023.41.16_suppl.12017 Journal of Clinical Oncology 41, no. 16_suppl (June 01, 2023).
American Society of Hematology
Leon-Camarena M, Geris J, Castellanos M, Taylor O, Garcia-Morales V, Brown A, Sok P, Huynh V, Ludwig K, Klesse L, Pruitt S, Hughes A, Tien K, Heym K, Griffin T, Erana R, Bernini J, Lupo P, Gramatges M, Scheurer M, Rabin K. Abstract, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2023. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 4206. doi:10.1182/blood-2023-188022
Association of Latino Ethnicity with Cytogenetic Subtypes in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Tien K, Geris J, Lin C, Cook C, Taylor O, Castellanos M, Huynh V, Ludwig K, Klesse L, Pruitt S, Hughes A, Heym K, Griffin T, Erana R, Bernini J, Rabin K, Scheurer M, Lupo P, Gramatges M. Abstract, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2023. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 4313. doi:10.1182/blood-2023-186968
Lamba J, Marrero R, Wu H, Cao X, Parcha PK, Karol S, Inaba H, Kuo D, Degar B, Heym K, Taub J, Lacayo N, Pui C, Ribeiro R, Pounds S, Rubnitz J. Abstract, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2023. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 386. doi: 10.1182/blood-2023-173617
Audino A, Goldman S, Barth M, Hochberg J, Xavier A, Shiramizu B, Shi Q, Harrison L, Basso J, Oesterheld J, Heym K, Drachtman R, Harker-Murray P, Perkins SL, Miles R, Cairo M. Abstract, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2023. Blood 2023, Volume 142 (Supplement 1): 1727, ISSN 0006-4971, doi:10.1182/blood-2023-181756.
Zarnegar-Lumley S, Karol S, Pounds S, Klco J, Sulis M, Kuo D.J., Heym K, Ludwig K, McLean-Stevens A, Alexander T, Faulk K, Sabnis H, Tasian S, Taub J, Place A, Rubnitz J. Abstract, American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting 2023. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 56. doi:10.1182/blood-2023-175342
Schafer E, Chi Y, Malvar J, Rushing T, Doan A, Pacenta HL, Schore R, Sposto R, Leong R, Gaynon PS, Rubnitz J, Barredo J, Slone T, Pauly M, Wayne A, Bhojwani D, Horton T. Blood 2023; 142 (Supplement 1): 2872. doi: 10.1182/blood-2023-180414
American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
A Case of T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in a Pediatric Patient with Germline RUNX1 Mutation
Gartstein E, Orr K, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Circulating Tumor DNA as Marker of Response and Relapse in Pediatric Malignancies: A New Paradigm
Orr K, Anthony A, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Creation of a Precision Medicine Team & Registry: Providing Treatment Plans and Tracking Biomarkers
Cooper S, Jernigan H, Koentz M, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Implementing a Multidisciplinary Team and Order Set to Tackle Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Rousset M, Gartstein E, Orr K, Diaz M, Anthony A, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Multimodal Management with Immunotherapy and Radiation of Histiocytic Sarcoma Following B-ALL
Orr K, Ahmad H, Sharma I, Vallance KL, Berry S, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Recognizing the Central Nervous System as a Site of Pediatric Sarcoma Relapse: A 3-Patient Series
Smith D, Hamby T, Heym K, Mohamed A, Vallance KL, Ray A. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Risk Factors and Treatment Response in Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma; a Multicenter Cohort Study
Borst A, Eng W, Griffin M, Ricci K, Engel E, Adams DM, Dayneka J, Cohen-Cutler S, Andreoli S, Wu M, Heym K, Crary S, Nakano T, Schulte R, Setty B, McLean TW, Pahl K, Intzes S, Pateva I, Teitelbaum M, Li T, Zong Z, Jeng M. (2023, May). Abstract, Fort Worth, TX.
Treatment of Intracranial and Intraspinal IM with Imatinib
Smith K, Vallance KL, Cazzell M. (2023, May). Poster presented, Fort Worth, TX.
Treatment Practices & Response Rates in Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Borst A, Eng W, Griffin M, Ricci K, Engel E, Adams D, Dayneka J, Cohen-Cutler S, Andreoli S, Wu M, Heym K, Crary S, Nakano T, Schulte R, Setty B, McLean T, Pahl K, Intzes S, Pateva I, Teitelbaum M, Li T, Zong Z, Jeng M. (2023, May). Abstract, Fort Worth, TX.
International Symposium on late complications after childhood cancer
Disparities in Health-related Distress and Behaviors in Parents and Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Foster KL, Lin C, Taylor O, Klesse L, Heym K, Bista R, Bernini JC, Lupo PJ, Kahalley L, Scheurer M, Gramatges, M. (2023, June). Abstract, Atlanta, GA.
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket: AMH Screening in HSCT Survivors
Mims S, Dempsey P. (2023, June). Poster presented, Atlanta, GA.
Society for Neuro-Oncology
Lin F, Desrosiers L, Mangum R, Reuther J, Mohila C, Blessing M, Aldave G, Muzny D, Bernini J, Gill J, Griffin T, Tomlinson G, Vallance KL, Chintagumpala M, Scollon S, López-Terrada D, Fisher K, Roy A, Plon S, Parsons D. (2023, June). Abstract, Washington, DC. Neuro Oncol. 2023;25(Suppl 1):i31. Published 2023 Jun 12. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noad073.123
Waanders A, Yohay K, Fang S, Wahlstrom S, Bornhorst M, Meade J, Vallance KL, Rodriguez RDLR. (2023, June). Abstract, Washington, DC. Neuro Oncol. 2023;25(Suppl 1):i33. Published 2023 Jun 12. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noad073.131
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR
McNerney KO, Lim SS, Miller A, Amankwah E, Dreyzin A, Vatsayan A, Hermiston M, Baggott C, Prabhu S, Pacenta HL and Phillips, CL. (2023, February)
Mediport Use as an Acceptable Standard for CAR T Cell Infusion
Eylon M, Baggott C, Prabhu S, John S, Bhatt D, Curran K, Karras N, Phillips C, Satwani P, Hermiston M, Baumeister S, Talano J, MacMillan M, Rossoff J, Bonifant C, Myers D, Rouce R, Toner K, Driscoll T, Katsanis E, Salzberg D, Schiff D, Oliveira S, Capitini C, Pacenta HL, Pfeiffer T, Shah N, Huynh V, Skiles J, Laetsch TW, Fraint E, McNerney K, Quigg T, Krueger J, Fabrizio V, Ligon J, and Schultz LM. (2023, February)
Krupski C, Baggott C, John S, McNerney KO, Bhatt D, Talano J, Moskop A, Rossoff J, Hall EM, Fabrizio VA, Keating A, Qayed M, Schiff D, Rahrig A, Skiles JL, Capitini C, Baumeister S, Curran KJ, Karras N, Cooper S, Rouce R, Prabhu S, Lim S, Pacenta HL, Myers D, Verneris MR, Phillips C, Laetsch TW, Mackall C, Schultz LM. (2023, February)
Global Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Congress
Benefits and Burdens: The Complexities in Caring for AYAs with Cancer Predisposition Syndrome
Matson M, Ghazal L, Witulski C, Corredor J, Sarro E. (2023, June). Breakout session presentation.
Cook Children’s Hematology/Oncology Grand Rounds
Pharmacogenomics
Heidi Trinkman, PharmD, BCOP (2023, February)
Cook Children’s Molecular Tumor Board
Next Generation Sequencing Applications in B-ALL
Holly Pacenta, M.D. (2023, March)
The Impact of Sequencing of Tumors on Hereditary Cancer Predisposition Syndromes
Kelly Vallance, M.D. (2023, April)
Cook Children’s Leukemia Symposium
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): Current Protocols and Latest Experience for New Diagnosis
Kenneth Heym, M.D. (2023, November)
Adolescent Young Adult (AYA) Leukemia: Team Approach to a Challenging Population
Karen Albritton, M.D. Daniel Elledge, PhD, Lauren Bridge, MS, CCLS, Megan Gibbs, RN, Carly Witulski,, MSN,APRN, FNP-C, Katy Wilhelm, BSN, RN (2023, November)
Comprehensive Nutrition Care for Pediatric Leukemia Patients
Rachel Hill, RD, CSO, LD, CNSC (2023, November)
Coordination of Leukemia Care at Regional Specialty Clinics
Julie Jolly, RN, Amy Bayles, CPNP and Kenneth Heym, M.D. (2023, November)
Genetic Predisposition to Leukemia
Kelly Vallance, M.D. (2023, November)
Innovative Roles for Clinical Pharmacists in Leukemia Care
Heidi Trinkman, PharmD and Micha Koentz, PharmD (2023, November)
Leukemia Services and Research at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Prosper, TX
Lauren Akers, M.D. (2023, November)
Rehabilitation for Patients with Leukemia
Erin Foster, DPT and Dakota Abernathy, OTR/L (2023, November)
The Emerging Role of CAR-T Cells in Pediatric ALL and Cook Children’s Experience
Theodore W. Laetsch, M.D. - Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Kenneth Heym, M.D. and Holly Pacenta, M.D. (2023, November)
International Society of Nurses in Genetics
Precision Medicine and Pharmacogenomics in Pediatric Oncology
Lisa Bashore, PhD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CPON (2023, November)
Pediatric Oncology Provocative Questions
Looking Beyond Today: The Future of Immunotherapy in the Management of AML
Micha Koentz, PharmD (2023, July)
Seeing More Clearly: Lessons Learned When Using New Agents to Manage Childhood AML
Heidi Trinkman, PharmD, BCOP (2023, July)
Controversies in Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) treatment: An Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) AYA Patient Case Discussion
Karen Albritton, MD, Micha Koentz, PharmD and Emily Curran, MD
Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Cancer Coalition
Leveraging Regional Partnerships among Multiple Health Systems
Karen Albritton, MD and Britanny Hall, PhD (2023, June)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Incredible Advances in Fertility Preservation for Pediatric Cancer Patients
Karen Albritton, MD (2023, April)
Molecular Tumor Board
Continues to be successful, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, and now includes international participants. In a span of over three years, many complex patients have been discussed monthly at the IPCE Committee accredited case conference alongside the genetic makeup of their tumors and actionable items arising therefrom, if any. We are pleased to offer CME, Pharmacy, and Pharmacy Technician credit for 2024. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month.
Precision Medicine Clinic
March 1st we officially went live with the Pharmacogenomics pilot for newly diagnosed oncology patients. In 2023 we had over 80 consults with over 400 actionable findings. We were consulted by genetics, pain service, immunology and neurology. We presented education related to pharmacogenomics at H/O grand rounds in March, the Pharmacy department’s clinical competency and the Cook Children’s Leukemia Symposium in November. 2024 looks to be a great year of growth for the service with expansion plans to other services and implementation of the genomics module (including decision support). We appreciate all the support the H/O group has given in allowing us to serve these patients. The team continues to meet and discuss a patient every Thursday afternoon at the IPCE Committee accredited case conference. We are pleased to offer CME, CNE, and Pharmacy credits for 2024.
Cellular Immunotherapy
16 CAR Infusions through current with 87% CR rate at 1 month, 67% of patients who are 2 years post therapy are still in remission without further need for treatment. Additionally, we received FACT accreditation for immune effector cell program and the Optum “preferred provider” designation.
Genetic Oncology Program
Genetic Oncology Clinic provides care and counseling to children and their families with a genetic predisposition to cancer. Our approach is a collaboration among pediatric oncologists, geneticists and genetic counselors providing education, guidance, therapy and routine cancer surveillance studies when indicated for children with a predisposition to cancer. Over 250 patients are seen every year for comprehensive care, counseling, education, testing and routine cancer surveillance exams to optimize early detection and treatment of malignancies. The Genetic Oncology clinic received the 2023 Cook Children’s’ Health System MultiDisciplinary Clinic Grant and Jordan Speith Foundation support. This funding has allowed for Genetic Oncology program Nurse Coordinator, further research opportunities, and patient assistance and education.
Since 2020,
- 11 pre-symptomatic early cancer
- 2 rapid diagnosed Cancer
- 7 pre-malignant lesions
- 3 bengin lesions
- 31 oncology patients/Family members diagnosed with cancer predisposition syndrome
Education
We welcomed 15 medical students in 2023. All students researched a patient of interest and prepared a presentation for the weekly Precision Medicine Clinic Case Conference. Students were also given the opportunity to engage in a research project related to a specific oncologic disease, with mentorship provided to guide the student on developing the project throughout their rotation. Students also completed at least one peer review of a manuscript submitted for publication.
Pharmacy
Heidi Trinkman gave 6 hours of oncology lectures to 3rd year pharmacy students at UNTHSC School of Pharmacy.
Below is a list of Expanded access (Compassionate use) agents that we’ve obtained within the Hematology/Oncology department at CCMC in 2023. We obtained these agents, for free, under a compassionate use protocol. This avenue of providing patient a drug allows patients access to drugs that insurance would deny. This route, the drug is 100% free from the company.
- Mirdametinib, DFMO, Navitoclax, and MIBG twice
Cook Children’s Leukemia Symposium
Cook Children’s Medical Center and the Lois and W. Paul Bowman, M.D. Leukemia Program Endowment presented the inaugural Leukemia Symposium on November 3-5, 2023. It was an inter-professional forum addressing team-based approach to comprehensive care, the latest innovations impacting outcomes in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and the latest advances in pediatric leukemia treatment and research.
- 192 total participants
- 94 Cook Children’s employees
- 98 external participants
Fertility Preservation Program
Dr Albritton gave expert testimony at the Texas Legislature in April 2023 that helped push through a bill (Texas 2023 HB1649) requiring health benefit plans to provide coverage for fertility preservation to those who will receive treatment for cancer that will impair fertility.
In 2023, 9 females underwent ovarian cryopreservation and 6 had egg cryopreservation. Five males banked sperm prior to therapy and 8 boys had testicular cryopreservation as part of a clinical trial (one of only 19 sites in the US offering this).
Cook Children’s Neuroblastoma Program
The Neuroblastoma team at Cook Children’s was established in 2005. Dr. Chelsee Greer leads the NBL Program with APP support, a strong research infrastructure, investigational pharmacy, clinical nursing and broad ancillary support. Our dedicated program support has allowed us to offer some of the most advanced therapies and unique approaches to care for this difficult disease. The treatment for high risk and relapsed neuroblastoma is very complex and time intensive both for the families and the medical team. Previous success of the program includes our MIBG program, which was the first in Texas and has been an example on a national level for other centers. We are one of only 16 centers internationally that is a part of the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium. Our center has been the highest enrolling institution within NANT for multiple years. We have also been one of the highest enrolling centers in up-front studies through Children’s Oncology Group.
From a research perspective, we are currently working on a retrospective chart review of our institutional experience with ctDNA in our patients and how it may help to predict earlier relapses and response to therapy. The goal is to both present at an international neuroblastoma conference as well as publish a manuscript. Also exploring the increased risk for papillary thyroid cancer in survivors with plans to publish a case series. I am actively applying for grants both internally and externally to help fund clinical trials and research time for the team.
Dr. Greer’s goal as the new program director is to continue to grow the neuroblastoma program and use as a springboard into developing a much larger experimental therapeutic program for solid tumors. Ideally, this program would have phase I/II trials open for many different types of solid tumors, not only neuroblastoma. We have created a strong model and infrastructure with the neuroblastoma team and I feel it would translate well into a larger program. This is the goal for expansion over the coming years with the support of both the oncology team and the transplant team.
Nursing and staff awards
- Kaitlin Smith, recipient, Peak Performer
- Shelby Cooper, recipient, Peak Performer
- Laura Portillo, recipient, Great 10 Nursing Award
- Ashley Chauncey, recipient, Daisy Award
- Sarah Tharpe Jordan, recipient, Daisy Award