Children’s Oncology Group’s 2023 Blueprint for Research: Epidemiology

Authors

Philip J Lupo
Erin L Marcotte
Michael E Scheurer
Jenny N Poynter
Logan G Spector

Publication Date

9-1-2023

Journal

Pediatric Blood & Cancer

DOI

10.1002/pbc.30566

PMID

37449937

PMCID

PMC10519152

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

9-1-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Child, Humans, Neoplasms, Sarcoma, Ewing, Medical Oncology, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Bone Neoplasms

Abstract

The Children's Oncology Group (COG) Epidemiology Committee has a primary focus on better understanding the etiologies of childhood cancers. Over the past 10 years, the committee has leveraged the Childhood Cancer Research Network, and now more recently Project:EveryChild (PEC), to conduct epidemiologic assessments of various childhood cancers, including osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, germ cell tumors, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis. More recent studies have utilized questionnaire data collected as part of PEC to focus on specific characteristics and/or features, including the presence of congenital disorders and the availability of stored cord blood. Members of the COG Epidemiology Committee have also been involved in other large-scale National Institutes of Health efforts, including the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative and the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program, which are improving our understanding of the factors associated with childhood cancer risk. Future plans will focus on addressing questions surrounding health disparities, utilizing novel biospecimens in COG epidemiology studies, exploring the role of environmental factors on the etiologies and outcomes of childhood cancer, collaborating with other COG committees to expand the role of epidemiology in childhood cancer research, and building new epidemiologic studies from the Molecular Characterization Initiative-all with the ultimate goal of developing novel prevention and intervention strategies for childhood cancer.