Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. are uncovering how rare inherited genetic variants contribute to the development of brain and spinal cord tumors in children. Read more: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/researchers-highlight-genetic-factors-in-pediatric-brain-and-spinal-cord-tumors-302623472.html

For Whitlock and other Canadian scientists who have collaborations with US partners, the past ten months have been turbulent. With US scientific agencies such as the NIH, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeing billions of dollars in funding cuts and job losses under the administration of US President Donald Trump, the effects have also been felt in Canada. There, cancelled projects and uncertainty have c

Lava-dwelling lizards, cells playing dead and a century-old evolutionary theory – understanding the way childhood cancers resist treatment is proving to be quite a ride. Read more: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2025/11/18/exploring-the-hidden-survival-tactics-of-childhood-cancers/

Despite major therapeutic advances, survival rates remain lower for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged families, a pattern long observed and poorly understood at the biological level. Read more: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-food-insecurity-linked-tumor-growth.html

Ultrasound-created microbubbles can deliver anti-cancer drugs to tumors in difficult-to-reach areas such as the brain stem and spinal cord, a pilot study in children has revealed. Read more: https://www.insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/oncology/ultrasound-driven-microbubbles-cross-blood-brain-barrier-to-treat-childhood-cancer/

MPP Wayne Gates (Niagara Falls) rose in the Ontario legislature to call for the Ontario government to take a first step to eliminate hospital parking fees by listening to families dealing with childhood cancer. Gates has partnered with Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer , the parent voice for families who have children diagnosed with cancer across the province, to fight for this change. Read more: https://www.notllocal.com/local-news/gates-calls-on-ford-gover

A new type of cancer cell that “warrants urgent investigation” has been discovered in childhood leukaemia and could impact clinical care. Research into new or repurposed treatments that target this new cell type could give hope to children and families worldwide. Read more: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1105676

Cancer treatment balances on a razor’s edge. On one side, physicians must use enough of a drug to kill tumor cells effectively. On the other side, a high drug concentration can be harmful to a patient’s normal cells. In children, the difference between the two, called the therapeutic index, is small.  Read more: https://www.stjude.org/research/progress/2025/finding-balance-between-efficacy-and-toxicity-in-pediatric-cancer-treatment.html

A research team from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, China, reported in Pediatric Discovery  that thiostrepton can significantly suppress rhabdomyosarcoma progression by targeting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Read more: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20251027/Study-finds-evidence-for-repurposing-thiostrepton-as-an-anti-rhabdomyosarcoma-drug.aspx

The FDA granted rare pediatric disease designation to iopofosine-131 for treating relapsed or refractory pediatric high-grade glioma.   Read more: https://www.curetoday.com/view/fda-grants-rare-pediatric-designation-for-iopofosine-131-in-glioma-subset