New Treatment Approach Significantly Improves Outcomes for Pediatric Patients with Kidney Cancer

WASHINGTON—A new approach to treating children diagnosed with bilateral Wilms tumors (BWT) significantly improved event-free survival (EFS), or the length of time a patient does not experience complications or recurrence of cancer following treatment, and overall survival (OS) rates after four years when compared to historical rates, according to a Children’s Oncology Group study published in the September issue of the Annals of Surgery. Jeffrey Dome, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s National Health System was co-senior author of this first-ever, multi-institutional prospective study of children with BWT.

Also known as nephroblastoma, Wilms tumor is the most common pediatric kidney cancer, typically seen in children ages three to four. Compared to patients with unilateral Wilms tumors, children with BWT have poorer EFS and are at higher risk for later effects such as renal failure. The treatment of BWT is challenging because it involves surgical removal of the cancer, while preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible to avoid the need for an organ transplant.

Historically, patients with BWT have had poor outcomes especially if they have tumors with unfavorable histology, which is defined by specific Wilms tumor cell types seen under the microscope. In this study, Dr. Dome and 18 other clinical researchers followed a new treatment approach consisting of three chemotherapy drugs before surgery rather than the standard two drug regimen, surgical removal of cancerous tissue within 12 weeks of diagnosis, and postoperative chemotherapy that was adjusted based on histology. 

The study found that preoperative chemotherapy expedited surgical treatment, with 84 percent of patients having surgery within 12 weeks of diagnosis. The new treatment approach also vastly improved EFS and OS rates for patients participating in the study. EFS rates were 82.1 percent, compared to 56 percent in a 2002 study, an improvement of 46.6 percent. OS rates were 94.9 percent, compared to 80.8 percent in the 2002 study, an improvement of 16.6 percent. 

“The data show that event-free and overall survival rates can be significantly improved using an approach to enhance tumor response, expedite surgical resection and adjust therapy based on histology,” says Dr. Dome. “I am very encouraged by these results, which I believe will serve as a benchmark for future studies and lead to additional treatment improvements, giving more children the chance to overcome this diagnosis and lead healthy lives.”

A total of 189 patients at children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers in the United States and Canada participated in this study. These patients will continue to be followed for 10 years to track kidney failure rates. This study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health to the Children’s Oncology Group. 

Contact: Rebecca Porterfield Siddon | 301-244-6737

About Children’s National Health System

Children’s National Health System, based in Washington, D.C., has been serving the nation’s children since 1870. Children’s National is #1 for babies and ranked in every specialty evaluated by U.S. News & World Report including placement in the top 10 for: Cancer (#7), Neurology and Neurosurgery (#9) Orthopedics (#9) and Nephrology (#10). Children’s National has been designated two times as a Magnet®hospital, a designation given to hospitals that demonstrate the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers. Home to the Children’s Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children’s National is one of the nation’s top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.