[Early clinical trials in paediatric oncology in Spain: a nationwide perspective].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Cancer is the leading cause of death between the first year of life and adolescence, and some types of diseases are still a major challenge in terms of cure. There is, therefore, a major need for new drugs. Recent findings in cancer biology open the door to the development of targeted therapies against individual molecular changes, as well as immunotherapy. Promising results in adult anti-cancer drug development have not yet been translated into paediatric clinical practice. A report is presented on the activity in early paediatric oncology trials (phase I-II) in Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

All members of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Haematology Oncology (SEHOP) were contacted in order to identify early clinical trials in paediatric cancer opened between 2005 and 2015.

RESULTS:

A total of 30 trials had been opened in this period: 21 (70%) in solid tumours, and 9 (30%) in malignant haemopathies. A total of 212 patients have been enrolled. The majority was industry sponsored (53%). Since 2010, four centres have joined the international consortium of Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC), which has as its aim to develop novel therapies for paediatric tumours. A significant number of new studies have opened since 2010, improving the treatment opportunities for our children. Results of recently closed trials show the contribution of Spanish investigators, the introduction of molecularly targeted agents, and their benefits.

CONCLUSIONS:

The activity in clinical trials has increased in the years analysed. The SEHOP is committed to develop and participate in collaborative academic trials, in order to help in the advancement and optimisation of existing therapies in paediatric cancer.

• Authors: Francisco Bautista, Soledad Gallego, Adela Cañete, Jaume Mora, Cristina Díaz de Heredia, Ofelia Cruz, José María Fernández, Susana Rives, Pablo Berlanga, Raquel Hladun, Antonio Juan Ribelles, Luis Madero, Manuel Ramírez, Rafael Fernández Delgado, Antonio Pérez-Martínez, Cristina Mata, Anna Llort, Javier Martín Broto, María Elena Cela, Gema Ramírez, Constantino Sábado, Tomás Acha, Itziar Astigarraga, Ana Sastre, Ascensión Muñoz, Mercedes Guibelalde, Lucas Moreno, en nombre de la Sociedad Española de Oncología Pediátrica (SEHOP) y el Grupo de Nuevas Terapias en Oncología Pediátrica, Sociedad Española de Hematología y Oncología Pediátrica (SEHOP) and the New Drug Development Group in Pediatric Oncology
• Journal: Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) (An Pediatr (Barc)) Vol. 87 Issue 3 Pg. 155-163 (Sep 2017) ISSN: 1695-9531 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Ensayos clínicos precoces en oncología pediátrica en España: una perspectiva nacional.
• PMID: 28279690 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Child
• Clinical Trials as Topic (methods, statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Spain
• Time Factors