One of our ambitions for 2021 was to strengthen our collaboration with the Belgian Society of Paediatric Haematology Oncology (BSPHO) by defining clear processes to select and finance their (mostly clinical) research projects.

A couple of weeks ago, we signed a partnership agreement whereby we committed to work closely together and to support each other. In the field of research, the BSPHO will disseminate our fundraising actions while KickCancer will finance more BSPHO research projects in Belgium, provided that they are in line with our European strategy and have an added value to young patients treated in Belgium. In the field of advocacy, the BSPHO and KickCancer will also define a joint agenda for Belgium.

KickCancer and the BSPHO will now meet twice a year to review the projects about to be initiated by the BSPHO and KickCancer will select and finance the projects in line with its strategy.

What kind of research projects are we talking about?

We are mostly talking about clinical trials and in a minority of cases, translational projects.

Indeed, as early as upon diagnosis, in Belgium, a majority of young patients are treated in the framework of a clinical trial. These are usually late-stage clinical trials where the standard of care (i.e., the treatment currently identified as the best one for that disease) is compared to a tweaked version of standard of care.

This methodology is what lead to the improvement of cure rate, the identification of long-term toxicity and its reduction for many young cancer patients since the 80s. Next to the financing of innovation to improve the cure rate for patients whose survival prospects remain dismal, it is important to sustain this continued improvement endeavour as it will benefit the vast majority of young cancer patients.

In very simplified terms, these clinical trials help us to do better what we already do well.

The protocols for these late-stage clinical trials are designed in the framework of SIOPE’s (Société International d’Oncologie Pédiatrique Europe or the European Society for Paediatric Haemato-Oncology) disease-specific collaborative groups where specialists of one disease (for instance, brain tumours, leukaemia, bone sarcomas…) meet and jointly define the best treatment strategies for this disease.

The clinical trials’ protocols are defined at the European level but the financing of the projects often has to be sought by each participating country or site.

KickCancer is very proud to support the BSPHO’s effort to bring those crucial clinical trials in Belgium, thereby ensuring the best care for young patients treated in Belgium and a sustained participation of our oncology centres to the European research effort.

During our first review meeting in December 2021, KickCancer committed to finance three clinical trials in Belgium in the following disease areas: high risk neuroblastomas, Langerhans cell histiocytosis and rhabdomyosarcomas. KickCancer will also finance for an additional year the long-term follow-up registry of Belgian survivors. This total commitment amounts to 740.000€ over three years.

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