Florida International University researchers, in collaboration with Nicklaus Children's Hospital, have developed a novel cancer treatment that personalizes therapy for pediatric patients. In a move that could revolutionize current treatment protocols, the team’s pioneering approach focuses on genetically analyzing individual tumors and then testing them against a broad spectrum of FDA-approved cancer drugs.
This innovative method has shown particular promise for children battling recurrent, hard-to-treat cancers. The recent success with 8-year-old Logan Jenner, a patient who had seemingly run out of conventional options, underscores the potential of the approach. As a result of the treatment, Jenner has been in remission for two years, as stated by the team during a discussion held at FIU’s Wolfson Campus. This was after he had previously relapsed following both chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant—a testament to the method’s efficacy, WSVN reported.
The research, led by Dr. Diana Azzam, has not only been potentially life-saving for those like Jenner, but also stands to shift cancer from a mortal threat to a controllable chronic condition. "The targeted treatment transforms cancer from a death sentence to a manageable chronic disease," Dr. Azzam articulated in an interview. Alongside these advances, the university's work has been featured on the cover of the esteemed medical journal, Nature Medicine, with the detailed results available within its pages.
An essential facet of the breakthrough is the ability to repurpose drugs that, while approved for different cancers, can be effective against others. This cross-application of medication opens up a new range of treatment possibilities. Logan Jenner’s mother, reflecting on her son's journey, affirmed that the study essentially saved her child's life, as the traditional treatment options had been exhausted. These sentiments were echoed in the coverage provided by iHeart's Florida News.
The rapid pace of the therapy development is also notable, with the team being able to evaluate cancer cells against an extensive array of over 100 tested drugs within a week. This swift turnaround crucially provides clinicians with actionable data to inform treatment decisions. The FIU-led research marks a significant stride toward a future where personalized medicine could become the norm in oncology, offering hope to patients and families facing the arduous battle against pediatric cancer.
