MCDONNELL PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
The story of pediatric cancer research is shaped by both great successes and enduring challenges. Some cancers that were nearly incurable only a few decades ago now have overall survival rates that exceed 90%. New advances in immunotherapy and bone marrow transplant medicine reflect painstaking research at both the bench and the bedside.
Despite this success, cancer remains the leading cause of death due to disease in children in the U.S. Some types of cancer remain very difficult to treat. Incurable cancers remain incurable for a reason: they resist chemotherapy, they have not benefited from new drug discovery or immunotherapy initiatives, and they can be difficult to study. Understanding the unique genetic programs and mutations involved in childhood cancer is essential for developing effective therapies.
Our Approach
The McDonnell Pediatric Cancer Research Center unites physician-scientists with a common interest in understanding how and why cancers form in children. With this knowledge, we can develop therapies that account for the unique properties of childhood cancers.
Our research builds on the world-class genomics infrastructure at WashU Medicine and supports clinical trials initiated at Siteman Kids at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. We are advancing new models to understand the genetic and metabolic properties of childhood cancer, and from that research we can explore new drug therapies and more precise treatments.
The Path Forward
We have come a long way in treating childhood cancer, but challenges remain. Your continued support for the McDonnell Pediatric Cancer Research Center ensures that families have access to the world-class care they need through groundbreaking research and specialized programs.