A molecular building block of many animal proteins, the amino acid valine, plays a key role in cancerous growth seen in T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a new study shows. Read more: https://nyulangone.org/news/study-confirms-nutrients-role-childhood-blood-cancer

Researchers have unlocked patterns to improve the diagnosis of the most common epigenetic childhood cancer disorder. Read more: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/938591

For oncologists and other clinicians who see cancer survivors on a regular basis, the first step toward helping patients with survivor guilt is simply to be aware of it. Read more: https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20211215/identify-feelings-act-on-behalf-of-others-to-address-survivor-guilt-in-cancer

Despite major advances in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), adult survivors face long-term health consequences. A recent review published in Frontiers in Oncology examined the long-term sequelae on adult survivors after chemotherapy for pediatric ALL and underlying mechanisms. Read more: https://www.hematologyadvisor.com/home/topics/leukemia/acute-leukemia-long-term-effects-long-term-health-consequences/

The FDA approval of Rituxan plus chemotherapy is indicated for the treatment of children aged six months to 18 years who have various forms of lymphoma or a form of leukemia. Read more: https://www.curetoday.com/view/fda-approves-rituxan-chemotherapy-combo-for-children-with-a-variety-of-blood-cancers

Survivors of childhood cancer had increased risk for long-term psychiatric disorders compared with their siblings or peers, according to a register-based cohort study. Read more: https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20211203/survivors-of-pediatric-cancer-at-increased-risk-for-psychiatric-disorders

Adding a novel anti-GD2 antibody (hu14.18K322A) to induction chemotherapy for children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma yielded impressive survival outcomes and improved early responses versus historical benchmarks, investigators reported. Read more: https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/othercancers/96035

Two new Yale-led studies elucidate protein structure and function of ALK, a protein receptor, which could contribute to new treatments for pediatric neuroblastoma and lymphoma. Read more: https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2021/12/03/yale-led-studies-open-doors-for-treatment-of-lymphoma-and-neuroblastoma-cancers/

Death rates for many childhood cancers have gone down, thanks to advances in treatment. But incidence rates—the number of cancer cases per 100,000 children—increased 43 percent from 1975 to 2018. While there’s no clear explanation, some experts suspect environmental contamination has played a major role. Read more: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2021/12/cancer-is-the-leading-cause-of-death-from-disease-in-children-heres-why

There isn’t a clear, empirically supported study showing the benefits of pill-swallowing training (PST) for patients under the age of six. Pill-swallowing training (PST) is a behavioral intervention, typically delivered by psychologists or child life specialists, that teaches children the art of swallowing pills. Read more: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/bedtime-stories/202112/pill-swallowing-training-in-very-young-children-cancer