Break Through Cancer Makes History with Major Pediatric Osteosarcoma Research Investment
In a significant stride toward combating pediatric osteosarcoma, Break Through Cancer has announced a landmark $15 million initiative, rallying support from families, foundations, and leading research institutions across North America. This ambitious project is designed to accelerate the search for effective treatments for a disease that has seen limited progress for over four decades. Osteosarcoma, a form of aggressive bone cancer that predominantly affects children and adolescents, has remained largely unchanged in its treatment protocols, resulting in devastating outcomes for many patients.
Historically, chemotherapy options for osteosarcoma have not evolved significantly, which has led to stagnant survival rates and poor quality of life for the afflicted. The initiative spearheaded by Break Through Cancer, branded as the Defying Osteosarcoma TeamLab, is set to change that narrative. Supported by a coalition of advocates and researchers from eight premier institutions, the project harnesses unprecedented collaboration and investment.
The urgency of this initiative comes from the stark realities faced by patients battling osteosarcoma. Approximately one-third of young patients do not survive their fight against this disease, and many who do are left with serious, life-altering effects from invasive surgeries and aggressive treatment regimens. Particularly distressing is the fact that for patients whose cancer has metastasized to the lungs, survival odds plummet to between 20-30%. These alarming statistics reflect a glaring need for innovation in treatment methodologies and comprehensive research.
Mac Tichenor, president of The Osteosarcoma Institute, articulated the frustrations shared by families affected by this ailment: “Children and adolescents diagnosed with osteosarcoma have long been left to face outdated treatment protocols that have shown little progression in 40 years. This breakthrough project offers real hope.” Tichenor emphasizes the wide-ranging implications of the collaborative research approach, which seeks to break down the historical barriers that have impeded advancements in understanding osteosarcoma.
The Defying Osteosarcoma TeamLab is a collaborative consortium involving over 20 researchers and multiple healthcare institutions, including the prestigious Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, among others. This partnership marks a shift towards a more integrated research framework aimed at accelerating the sharing of data, samples, and insights in real-time, thus fostering an environment where breakthroughs can be achieved more effectively.
Tyler Jacks, President of Break Through Cancer, notes, “The ensuing collaboration creates a synergy that allows us to push the boundaries of what is achievable in pediatric osteosarcoma treatment. It is high time we provide better options for our children rather than relying on the same protocols set decades ago.”
The project is grounded in a commitment to revolutionary change; it aims to devise smarter clinical trials and generate the crucial biological data necessary for personalized treatment plans. The ambitious vision behind the Defying Osteosarcoma TeamLab seeks not only to innovate but to implement lasting solutions that prioritize the needs of affected children and their families.
Empowered by the collective resolve of families who have experienced the inequities faced in osteosarcoma treatment, this initiative positions itself as a beacon of hope for fundamental change in research and treatment. The unity amongst these groups reflects a shared commitment to rewriting the future for young patients enduring this grave disease. With the launch of this initiative, Break Through Cancer and its partners are sending a powerful message: children diagnosed with osteosarcoma deserve an urgent response and the best scientific minds dedicated to transformation.
For more information about Break Through Cancer and the Defying Osteosarcoma TeamLab, please visit www.breakthroughcancer.org, where you can learn about their ongoing efforts and future initiatives aiming to change the landscape of pediatric cancer treatment.