QF Entity Drives Innovation in Pediatric Cancer Care Showcasing Higher Survival Rates
24 September 2024, Doha, Qatar - To mark World Cancer Research Day and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has published its ‘Pediatric Oncology Report 2023’.
This year's report presents information on the treatment modalities employed at Sidra Medicine and the remarkable outcomes achieved for its young patients. It also takes a deeper dive by exploring the specifics of leukemia and brain tumors, going beyond previous reporting of solid and non-solid cancers statistics.
The report offers an analysis of pediatric cancer types treated at the hospital, with a clear distinction between solid cancers (69 percent) and non-solid cancers (31 percent). Regarding patient demographics, the majority are of Arab descent (60 percent), followed by Asian patients (32 percent). The remaining less than 10 percent represent other ethnicities. Among the diagnoses, Leukemia emerges as the most frequent at 31 percent, closely followed by Central Nervous System malignancies at 23 percent.
Dr. Ayman Saleh, Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology at Sidra Medicine said: "This report is more than just data. It is a roadmap that helps us navigate the epidemiology of childhood cancer in Qatar. By understanding the types of cancers affecting our children, the effectiveness of our treatments, and the ongoing research advancements, we can work together to provide the best possible outcomes. Our impressive survival rate of almost 90 percent between 2019 and 2023 surpasses those of many developed nations, serving as a testament to the robustness of Qatar's healthcare system in treating different types of childhood cancers.”
Since launching its pediatric precision oncology initiative in 2018, treatment abroad has gone down from 20 percent in 2019 to only 11 percent in 2023.
Dr. Wouter Hendrickx, Principal Investigator of the Tumor Biology and Immunology Lab at Sidra Medicine said: "Sidra Medicine established a Precision Oncology Initiative that allows us to delve deeper into the unique characteristics of each child's tumor. Through techniques like Whole Genome Sequencing, we can identify the genetic alterations driving the cancer. This knowledge empowers us to develop highly personalized treatment plans, maximizing the potential for positive outcomes. Through this initiative, we aim to provide a space where families can join hands with healthcare professionals and researchers to overcome pediatric cancer.”
The Pediatric Oncology Initiative leverages research to personalize cancer care. It includes researchers, oncology and hematology physicians, anatomical pathologists and neurosurgeons.
The report's findings are further illustrated by the journey of a young family whose two-year-old child was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Seeking guidance and specialized care, they turned to Sidra Medicine. As treatment began, the family was introduced to the hospital’s Pediatric Precision Oncology Initiative whereby their child’s tissue samples, and health data were collected and sent for Whole Genome Sequencing. The child’s report was then reviewed by a ‘molecular board’ consisting of experts in oncology, pathology, genetics, and research.
The child’s parents said: “We believe this research will be valuable and save others this ordeal. By contributing our child's data to the biorepository, we are aiding researchers in understanding the disease and developing future therapies, offering hope to other children facing similar challenges.”
Sidra Medicine's commitment to pediatric cancer care is highlighted by the upcoming launch of Qatar's first pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) program. This initiative, in partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, will provide life-saving treatment for children with cancer by replacing diseased bone marrow cells with their own healthy stem cells, or that of a donor.
By participating in clinical cancer research, biobanking, clinical trials, and precision medicine initiatives, families and stakeholders can become partners in progress, offering hope to countless children in Qatar. For more details about the report and Sidra Medicine’s pediatric cancer care services, please visit www.sidra.org.