Pediatric blood & cancer
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Pediatric blood & cancer · May 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialInitial testing of cisplatin by the pediatric preclinical testing program.
Cisplatin is one of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of solid tumors in adults and children. Here, we report the activity of cisplatin against the PPTP panels of childhood cancer xenografts. ⋯ Cisplatin exhibits significant antitumor activity against a broad range of solid tumor xenograft models and limited activity against ALL xenografts. This preclinical pattern of activity is generally consistent with cisplatin's clinical activity.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · May 2008
Integration of a palliative and terminal care center into a comprehensive pediatric oncology department.
The sharp division between curative cancer therapy and palliative care results in the late introduction of palliative care and a high incidence of suffering in children with cancer. We established a Palliative Care Unit (PCU) that is fully integrated with the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department (PHOD). We wished to explore the impact of such integrative model on patterns of hospitalizations and exposure to palliative care of pediatric oncology patients. ⋯ Our integrative model results in exposure of the majority of children with cancer to palliative care. For poor prognosis patients, palliative care is introduced early enough to allow gradual transition from symptom control after diagnosis to end of life care.
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Pediatric blood & cancer · Mar 2008
Clinical TrialBlood transfusion therapy is feasible in a clinical trial setting in children with sickle cell disease and silent cerebral infarcts.
Silent cerebral infarcts are both morbid and progressive in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). While blood transfusion therapy is effective primary and secondary stroke prevention, the efficacy and acceptance of blood transfusion therapy for children with silent cerebral infarcts is unknown. The overall goals of this study were to determine the feasibility and short-term efficacy of blood transfusion therapy for silent cerebral infarcts. ⋯ Blood transfusion therapy is a feasible therapy for the prevention of progression of silent cerebral infarcts.