Exome sequencing reveals molecular features of the pediatric variants of follicular lymphoma

Molecular Characterization of Pediatric Follicular Lymphoma

“Pediatric follicular lymphomas involve interactions in MAPK and G-protein protein receptor signaling pathways, according to results of a new study. This study, published online in Haematologica, identified a number of novel mutations and signaling pathways associated with pediatric follicular lymphomas.

Classic follicular lymphoma, an indolent B-cell lymphoma, is very rare in children, whereas pediatric-type nodal follicular lymphoma (PTNFL) and primary follicular lymphoma of the testis (PFLT) occur more frequently in this population compared with adults. While the molecular landscape of classic follicular lymphoma has been more thoroughly studied, comparatively little is known about the molecular features of the pediatric variants of follicular lymphoma.”

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Goals for improving cancer treatment in children

Ushering in the next generation of precision trials for pediatric cancer

Steven G. DuBois, Laura B. Corson, Kimberly Stegmaier, and Katherine A. Janeway

Science (Review article)

Abstract—Cancer treatment decisions are increasingly based on the genomic profile of the patient’s tumor, a strategy called “precision oncology.” Over the past few years, a growing number of clinical trials and case reports have provided evidence that precision oncology is an effective approach for at least some children with cancer. Here, we review key factors influencing pediatric drug development in the era of precision oncology. We describe an emerging regulatory framework that is accelerating the pace of clinical trials in children as well as design challenges that are specific to trials that involve young cancer patients. Last, we discuss new drug development approaches for pediatric cancers whose growth relies on proteins that are difficult to target therapeutically, such as transcription factors.

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Pediatric cancer mutation review

The genomic landscape of pediatric cancers: Implications for diagnosis and treatment

E. Alejandro Sweet-Cordero1 and Jaclyn A. Biegel

Science (Review Artice)

Abstract-The past decade has witnessed a major increase in our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of childhood cancer. Genomic sequencing studies have highlighted key differences between pediatric and adult cancers. Whereas many adult cancers are characterized by a high number of somatic mutations, pediatric cancers typically have few somatic mutations but a higher prevalence of germline alterations in cancer predisposition genes. Also noteworthy is the remarkable heterogeneity in the types of genetic alterations that likely drive the growth of pediatric cancers, including copy number alterations, gene fusions, enhancer hijacking events, and chromoplexy. Because most studies have genetically profiled pediatric cancers only at diagnosis, the mechanisms underlying tumor progression, therapy resistance, and metastasis remain poorly understood. We discuss evidence that points to a need for more integrative approaches aimed at identifying driver events in pediatric cancers at both diagnosis and relapse. We also provide an overview of key aspects of germline predisposition for cancer in this age group.

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