The projects are part of a collaboration that combines CCLG funding with cancer samples from VIVO biobank (funded by Cancer Research UK and Blood Cancer UK), whose collection of children’s and young people’s cancer samples is an essential and valuable resource for research.
Seven CCLG Special Named Funds have supported the new research: Elliott’s Warrior Fund, The Toti Worboys Fund, Team Jude, A Goal for Sam, The Harley James Reynolds Fund, Thomas Fight TALL, and The Riley Cameron Forget Me Not Fund.
The Riley Cameron Forget Me Not Fund was set up in memory of eight-year-old Riley Cameron, who died one week after being diagnosed with AML in July 2008. His mum, Rachel, began fundraising with CCLG for research into Riley’s cancer in 2020.
Rachel with Riley and his sister Rihanna.
Rachel said: “These projects mean so much to me and my family – they are a huge step in the right direction to finding better treatments for AML.
“I feel very proud of the work that the researchers are doing, and it is an honour to be part of such an amazing charity.”
Dr Kellaway’s research is exploring whether an asthma medicine, which is already used for children, could be repurposed into the first relapse‑specific treatment for AML.
She said: “At the moment, there are no specific treatments to stop AML growing back and treatment after a relapse is often incredibly difficult.
We know that the asthma drug we are testing can stop the relapse-causing AML cells from growing – but we think it might also be able to get rid of them completely.
Dr Kellaway added that the drug has minimal side effects, which could be “game-changing” for children, as existing treatments often cause serious lifelong health problems.
Dr Lappin’s research aims to develop a better way to test treatments for AML, with a focus on combinations of immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
She said: “By creating a more accurate and cost-effective way to test treatments, this research could help bring safer, more effective treatments to children faster.”
Dr Sarah Evans, CCLG’s Head of Research, said:
We are delighted to fund these two projects, made possible by our brilliant Special Named Fund families. Developing kinder, more effective treatments for cancers such as AML is one of our top priorities. Every child deserves not only a cure, but the chance to live a long, healthy and happy life after cancer.
Professor Deborah Tweddle, Director of VIVO Biobank, added: “We are once again delighted to work alongside CCLG in supporting these pilot studies and providing samples for these exciting research projects.”