Physical Health Switzerland Project #54605

Research for the Future of Children with Cancer

by Krebsforschung Schweiz / Swiss Cancer Research

Project Report | Jun 1, 2023
More people than ever before are surviving cancer

By Alexandra Uster | Project Leader

The number of cancer survivors in Switzerland has reached an impressive milestone, with approximately 400'000 individuals who have successfully overcome the disease. However, cancer remains one of the most significant challenges of our time, considering the projected rise in cancer cases due to demographic changes.

In our recently published Annual Report 2022 (available in German and French), we highlight funded research projects to illustrate how donations are being used to advance cancer research at a rapid pace. Six investigators describe the research questions they are pursuing and what motivates them day by day to achieve their ambitious goals.

For instance, one research group focuses on preventing lung damage in children who have undergone cancer treatment. With the support of generous donors and the Swiss Cancer Research foundation, researchers will conduct extensive lung function tests on newly diagnosed children over a two-year period (see picture). The aim is to detect any early signs of lung damage andenhancethe long-term health and quality of life for children who have battled cancer.

Another exemplary project addresses the critical issue of chemotherapy resistance, which often proves to be devastating for individuals with metastasized tumors, rendering the cancer uncontrollable and contributing to many cancer-related deaths. To address this challenge, researchers aim to understand the precise mechanisms underlying cancer therapy resistance and develop strategies to overcome them.

These examples represent just a glimpse into the 58 promising research projects funded in 2022. In total, the Swiss Cancer Research foundation allocated 20 million Swiss francs to support 77 independent research projects, grantees, research organizations, and scientific conferences.

These numbers reflect our mutual commitment to sustaining the rapid progress of cancer research and ensuring that more and more individuals can benefit from effective cancer treatments.

Together, we can make a significant impact on the fight against cancer.

Thank you for your generosity!

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Feb 3, 2023
What is it like to be a childhood cancer survivor?

By Lisa Luescher | Project Leader

Dr. Katharina Roser

Thanks to intensive research efforts, children’s chances of recovering from leukemia are good to very good. In our recent report Jean-Pierre Bourquin indicated: "A curing-rate of 80 % sounds excellent, but at the same time, it means that one out of five children will not survive. That is unacceptable." His current research project will make a significant contribution to improving the chances of a cure for children with high-risk leukemias.

Everything we know about the diagnosis and management of childhood cancer is a result of research findings and this leads to an increase in cure rates. So many live longer, are considered cured and manage to return to the life they knew before the disease. At the same time, it is essential that researchers also address the unanswered questions, needs and challenges of all those children who have successfully beaten cancer at a young age: Are they at risk for long-term side effects that are related to their prior treatments?

In Switzerland, around 350 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every year. What is it like to be a childhood cancer survivor? What impact does cancer have later in life, on their social relationships, on their professional careers?

Katharina Roser from the Department of Health Sciences and Medicine at the University of Lucerne and her team are identifying these issues and aim to come up with concrete recommendations that will support medical professionals and other disciplines in the health care and social security systems in their work. With the help of generous donors, like you, the Swiss Cancer Research foundation has been able to fund her project. Katharina Roser states: "Currently, there are few studies on the insurance, legal and financial difficulties that affected individuals and their parents struggle with. We want to change this."

Read more about Katharina’s research and goals that have been set in her latest project, funded by the Swiss Cancer Research foundation and generous donors like you.

Thank you for investing in Swiss Cancer Research!

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Oct 6, 2022
Supporting the next generation of scientists

By Alexandra Uster | Project Leader

The Swiss Cancer Research foundation promotes talent. It awards a limited number of competitive individual MD-PhD fellowships each year. The aim of this MD-PhD Program is to provide physicians interested in research with the skills necessary for a career as clinician and scientist.

Pleasingly, this year a young physician from Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourquin’s laboratory has successfully applied for such a fellowship. In his research project the young physician, Dr. med. James Kim, will address the challenges of treating children with high-risk leukemia’s.

“As new technologies evolve and research drives towards better and personalized treatment opportunities in human disease, it is paramount for physicians to offer patients the best up-to-date treatment options. I firmly believe that as physician and scientist I can contribute to build bridges between research and the clinical practice. Both nourish each other and are closely intertwined in offering evidence-based understanding”, says Dr. med. James Kim, explaining his motivation for research.

With our financial support and under the supervision of Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourquin, he wants to improve the treatment of children with high-risk leukemia, who unfortunately still have a very poor prognosis. By determining the genomic and transcriptomic landscape underlying the resistant disease state, he hopes to find ways to treat high-risk leukemias more effectively and in a more targeted manner.

During his research project, he can count on the excellent expertise of his supervisor Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourquin, who is highly enthusiastic about the young physician and his work: “He has a brilliant mind and is a well-organized colleague. He is very dedicated to science. I am convinced that he combines skills and mindset for a successful career in biomedical sciences and as a highly specialized physician in our field.”

By funding this MD-PhD fellowship, we are pleased to contribute to further advances in the treatment of children with cancer. We wish Dr. med. James Kim much success and all the best in his research endeavors and look forward to the results of his research project.

On another note: Are you familiar with our recently published report "Cancer Research in Switzerland" (available in German and French)? The report makes it evident how researchers work tirelessly to increase the chances of survival and optimize the quality of life of cancer patients and their loved ones. Thank you for your support!

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