Alliance to treat childhood cancer

The Children’s Oncology Drug Alliance (CODA) has been formed to fast-track development of anticancer therapy for neuroblastoma - the most common form of cancer in infancy. The alliance unites UNSW Australia and its commercialisation arm, NewSouth Innovations, childhood cancer research charity The Kids’ Cancer Project, biotechnology company Novogen and Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio.

CODA’s mission is to help accelerate development of innovative new therapeutic approaches to the treatment of childhood cancers, but neuroblastoma in particular, as there is currently no medicine approved to treat the disease. Childhood cancers are currently treated with chemotherapies that have been developed for adults, with little consideration to the special needs of children.

“For too long, childhood cancers have been neglected despite the progress made with treatments for adult cancers,” said Professor Peter Gunning, Head of the Oncology Research Unit at UNSW Medicine. “The alliance brings together the science, expertise and funding to accelerate the development of a medicine that has the potential to change the way we treat solid cancers in children.”

CODA will progress clinical trials of a form of anticancer therapy originally developed by Professor Gunning’s UNSW research team and funded by The Kids’ Cancer Project since 1998. Now being taken forward commercially by Novogen, the drug class known as anti-tropomyosins has been specifically tailored to selectively target the structure of the cancer cell, causing it to collapse without adversely impacting healthy cells. Novogen has additionally used its drug-discovery expertise to produce molecules substantially more potent than those originally developed.

“The Holy Grail of childhood cancer therapy is a medicine that is effective against a tumour such as neuroblastoma, but doesn’t leave the sort of damage that the child then has to deal with for the rest of their life,” said Novogen CEO Dr Graham Kelly.

“We believe the anti-tropomyosins we have developed have the potency, selectivity and safety profile to meet the special needs of children.”

Novogen is currently finalising preclinical research, with the goal of commencing clinical studies in 2015. The aim is that the childhood trials in neuroblastoma will be progressed in parallel with trials in a number of adult cancers.

The Kids’ Cancer Project aims to raise $2.7 million to support clinical trials of the medicine in children with neuroblastoma who have exhausted other treatment options. Its founder, Col Reynolds OAM, said the project will continue to fundraise to ensure that the next phase of research into a treatment for neuroblastoma is not delayed.

“The alliance would like to see other groups join the cause,” he added. “We are keen to partner with anyone who can contribute to the development of improved treatment options for children with cancer.”

Donations to The Kids’ Cancer Project can be made at www.thekidscancerproject.org.au.