Childhood cancer treatment – it’s personal.
Patients diagnosed with specific subsets of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are sadly at high risk of relapse. Due to the toxic effects caused by non-targeted therapies, treatment options are limited.
Behind the Science: Dr Susan Heatley
Research carried out by Dr Heatley has shown that a substantial proportion of treatment failures in ALL patients are attributable to specific mutations, referred to as Ph-like ALL subtype, which are prevalent among adolescents.
Thanks to funding by The Kids’ Cancer Project, Dr Heatley will further study the genetic changes underpinning Ph-like ALL. Through better understanding of what drives the disease at a genetic level, researchers will be able to establish effective treatment options with a personalised medicine approach.