Spectrum Health collaborates with Dell and TGen to expand international pediatric cancer research to Lebanon

Spectrum Health is pleased to announce its engagement in international pediatric cancer research. Together with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Dell and the Translational Genomics Research Institute, Spectrum Health will bring a personalized medicine clinical trial to children fighting pediatric cancers in Lebanon.

Led by Giselle Sholler, MD, MSC, director of pediatric oncology research, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and Jeffery Trent, PhD, FACMG, president and research director, TGen, the trial focuses on identifying drug treatments tailored, or personalized, to the specific genomic changes within the tumors of children with aggressive cancers. Also referred to as precision medicine, this type of research aims to customize drug treatment plans to the unique genetic make-up of an individual’s tumor cell. Highly advanced computations provide explicitly detailed genomic information.

“The collaboration between Spectrum Health, Dell and TGen has been instrumental to the work of the trial,” said Bob Connors, MD, president, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “The collaboration underscores the ways many dedicated specialists are working together to address childhood cancer.”

In the trial, researchers study tumor biopsies using DNA and RNA sequencing performed at TGen. The data is then shared with Spectrum Health and analyzed using Dell computer power and complex algorithms constructed by the research team. An international group of physicians and researchers collaborate on the findings – through a customized online virtual meeting space – and design recommended treatment plans targeted for each patient’s tumor.

“The work TGen and the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium does instills hope in so many children and families fighting aggressive pediatric cancers,” said Trisa Thompson, Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, Dell. “This collaboration changes outcomes, and we’re thrilled to extend support to families battling childhood cancer in Lebanon.”

“When children develop cancer, they don’t have time to wait. Dell’s commitment to the NMTRC is changing how we look at and treat childhood cancers, and it’s gratifying to see the addition of Dr. Saab, which now provides us with a clinical site to help children on an international level,” said Dr. Trent from TGen.

Dr. Sholler is the Endowed Director of the Haworth Family Pediatric Oncology Innovation Therapeutics Clinic and Director of Pediatric Oncology Research at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a Spectrum Health hospital. She is also Chair of the NMTRC, which recently published the first study on the feasibility of using molecular-guided therapy for the treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma. In her work, Dr. Sholler has cared for children with neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma – both highly aggressive cancers – nationally and internationally. Her research is supported largely through peer-reviewed grant funding and philanthropy.

Ray Saab, MD, pediatric oncologist, American University of Beirut, Lebanon, is the physician investigator for the Lebanon arm of the NMTRC precision medicine trial.

“I had the pleasure to meet Dr. Saab through the International Society of Pediatric Oncology when we presented our research from Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Sholler. “Dr. Saab is an international leader in pediatric cancer research and we welcome her interest in this work and the opportunity to work with her. Her insights and collaboration will enable this research to reach children across the globe.”

This is the third precision medicine trial through NMTRC. The goal of this trial is to enroll an additional 50 patients this year, with approximately five being seen in Lebanon.

About NMTRC
The NMTRC is a national, collaborating network of 22 universities and children’s hospitals providing clinical research trials on neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma childhood cancers. Currently, the NMTRC is engaged in research involving early phase trials of new as well as the genetic profiling of pediatric cancers looking at distinguishing tumor biomarkers that might be used to help identify individual treatment plans for children. Under Dr. Sholler’s helm, the NMTRC has garnered recognition for its research in personalized medicine for children with cancer.

About Spectrum Health
Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system, based in West Michigan, offering a full continuum of care through the Spectrum Health Hospital Group, which is comprised of 11 hospitals including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; 173 ambulatory and service sites; 1,200 physicians and advanced practice providers including members of Spectrum Health Medical Group; and Priority Health, a 626,000-member health plan. Spectrum Health is West Michigan’s largest employer with 21,800 employees. The organization provided $294.6 million in community benefit during its 2014 fiscal year. In 2014, Spectrum Health was named one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems® by Truven Health Analytics.

spectrumhealth.org

About TGen??
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix, Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children. Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial contribution to help our patients through efficiency and effectiveness of the translational process. For more information, visit: www.tgen.org.