Research – 
better chances of recovery and fewer late effects

Clinical research aims to explore therapies and treatments in humans to improve the chances of survival and reduce long-term consequences. The knowledge gained from clinical trials helps scientists to better understand the course of cancer diseases and to develop more modern therapy methods.

The Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG), a member organisation of Childhood Cancer Switzerland, coordinates and oversees a comprehensive clinical cancer research programme for children and adolescents across Switzerland.

In 2024, Childhood Cancer Switzerland supported the following SPOG projects, among others:

• INFORM
  Relapses and progression in patients with high-risk conditions remain a major medical challenge. Depending on the condition, only about 10 % of patients can be cured in the event of relapse. The aim of the project is to identify advanced, targeted therapies to improve cure rates for tumour relapse or therapy-resistant disease. Find out more here.
• KRANIOPHARYNGEOM Registry 2019
  A craniopharyngioma is a rare malformation arising from tissue that had an altered developmental trajectory before birth. The precise causes are still unknown. The project’s goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the biology of craniopharyngioma and to explore how treatment could be improved in the future. Find out more here.
• LOGGIC Core
  Low‑grade malignant gliomas (LGG) constitute a heterogeneous group of cancers and form the largest subgroup of brain and spinal cord tumours, accounting for 40–50 % of all CNS tumours in children and adolescents. The LOGGIC Core project aims to improve our understanding of the tumour biology of this disease and, based on this, to develop more individualised treatment approaches. Find out more here.

Epidemiological childhood cancer research in Switzerland evaluates data from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, its own and international research projects. On the basis of such evaluations, statements can be made about the causes and development of different types of cancer as well as their progression and the effectiveness of therapies.   

Funding Projects 2024: Epidemiological Research

In 2024, Childhood Cancer Switzerland supported the following projects by the Childhood Cancer Research Group at the University of Bern (ISPM):

• SCCSS-Activity investigates the behaviour of childhood cancer survivors in relation to physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle, as the illness can have a long-term impact on health-related behaviours. Find out more here.
• The second study focuses on the development of quality of life after childhood cancer, as many survivors experience health problems and limitations in daily life due to their treatment. The goal is to build a solid knowledge base to help ensure that, in the long term, survivors can enjoy the same quality of life as individuals who have not had cancer during childhood.

In order to further promote childhood cancer research, Childhood Cancer Switzerland awards an annual research prize alongside its funding of projects. The award, which is endowed with CHF 35 000, is presented every year to young scientists, who engage in outstanding and pioneering projects in basic research at Swiss research institutes or hospitals.

• Study on the development of quality of life after childhood cancer
• SCCSS Activity: physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep in childhood cancer survivors
• FaR-RMS: therapy optimisation study on the treatment of rhabdomyosarcomas 
• Study on dental health of childhood cancer survivors
• Therapy optimisation trial to improve the treatment of liver cancer 
• Therapy optimisation trials LBL 2018 and B-NHL 2013 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas 
• “SIOP Ependymoma II” clinical trial for improved treatment of brain tumours 
• LINES therapy trial for the better treatment of neuroblastomas
• Clinical trial for Langerhans cell histiocytosis
• PhD research project: Novel immunotherapy for the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma
• Therapy optimisation trial fo the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia
• Trial: Health after childhood cancer – The Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (SCCSS) 
• Therapy optimisation trial for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas 
• Research project: Congenital predisposition to childhood cancer
• Therapy optimisation trial for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma
• Trial to improve the treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma in children and adolescents