Unwinding the helix: using genetics to treat childhood cancer
Pediatric leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. There are about 3,000 new cases in the United States every year, typically in children between the ages of four and six. With treatment, about three-quarters of affected children are able to beat the disease. But for those with what’s known as “high risk” leukemia, the odds of survival are much worse.
Washington University pediatric oncologist Dr. Todd Druley has been trying to use genetics to understand why some leukemia is so hard to treat. He spoke with St. Louis Public Radio's Véronique LaCapra.