Improving outcomes for infants with cancer
Background
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour in early childhood, occurring most frequently in children under two. Approximately half of patients are diagnosed with advanced or high-risk neuroblastoma which requires aggressive treatment including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Despite this intensive treatment, the survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma patients is still below 40-50%.
The research
In this project, Dr Croucher and his team will use advanced mathematical modelling to test a more targeted treatment approach aimed at greatly improving outcomes for individual children with advanced neuroblastoma.
The impact
As well as improving treatment effectiveness, the team’s targeted approach will also ensure each patient receives the right amount of treatment for their cancer – reducing the risk of long-term complications caused by excess treatment and improving quality of life.