Can we develop a vaccine to fight childhood cancer?
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Can we develop a vaccine to fight childhood cancer?
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Imagine a future where we can cure childhood cancer. Thanks to generous donor support, we’re helping world-leading cancer researchers at PCH to get closer to turning this dream into reality.
While more children are surviving cancer than ever before, many are often still left with life-long challenges due to the harsh side effects of aggressive treatments.
But there’s hope on the horizon, as a new frontier of cancer research – immunotherapy – could ultimately improve quality of life and survival rates in some of our sickest children.
Immunotherapy harnesses the power of a patient’s own immune system to fight cancer. Although it has revolutionised treatment for certain adult cancers, it hasn’t yet translated to childhood cancers.
A world-leading childhood cancer project led by Professor Nick Gottardo, Head of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology at PCH, aims to understand why.
Research findings will pave the way for the development of future immunotherapy cancer vaccines, which Prof. Gottardo believes could be just five to ten years away. These vaccines hold the promise of long-term tumour control, prevention of relapse, and could ultimately improve survival rates and quality of life for some of our sickest children.
“Our dream for the future of children’s cancer treatment is 100% cure rate, with no toxicity. We know that’s a very high bar, and the only way we are going to change the status quo is through research,” Prof. Nick Gottardo.
In collaboration with researchers from the University of Western Australia, Prof. Gottardo is exploring the potential of immunotherapy vaccines designed to target ‘dark matter’ found in adult cancers. These vaccines effectively allow the immune system to ‘see’ tumours for the first time and go on the attack.
“We need treatments that specifically attack the cancer but not a child’s normal cells,” explained Professor Gottardo. “If we can identify the ‘dark matter’ in childhood cancers, we can develop immunotherapies that harness a child’s immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells.”
Professor Gottardo added: “This year, your donation to PCHF’s Christmas Appeal will help us to bring together some of the world’s best experts and researchers, with cutting-edge equipment and technology, to help us find answers.
“Together, we have the potential to revolutionise care, reduce the side effects, and inspire hope for a brighter future in kids and families not just in WA, but right around the world.”
Donate to support world-first cancer research, right here in WA: pchf.org.au/donate
