There is a significant amount of research being conducted in childhood cancers. One of the leading research groups, Children’s Oncology Group (COG), was formed in 2001 from four major pediatric clinical trials groups in North America. The COG now consists of thousands of doctors, nurses, scientists and cancer experts who work to discover new treatments for childhood cancer.

The COG has developed a five-year scientific plan detailing planned clinical trials, laboratory studies and patient care research. This research group is working to:

• Identify the genes active in cancer cells and their role in causing cancer.
  
  
• Develop drugs called biological agents that can be used target the genes in cancer cells.
  
  
• Identify proteins made by cancer cells and not by normal cells.
  
  
• Develop antibodies that attack the proteins in cancer cells and make them inactive
  
  
• Evaluate possible risk factors including exposure to infectious agents, chemicals, radiation and environmental toxins
  
  
• Assess prenatal and early postnatal factors and their possible role in childhood cancers
  
  
• Investigate the role of family and genetic factors

Another study called The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is studying various aspects of childhood cancer. Research areas include:

• Monitoring the U.S. and international trends in incidence and mortality rates for childhood cancers
  
  
• Studies to better understand the cellular process and ways to suppress cancer cell growth and survival
  
  
• Long-term effects of cancer and its therapy on childhood cancer survivors
  
  
• Education of childhood cancer survivors regarding long term effects of treatment

In addition, there are many clinical trials being conducted by research groups at cancer centers around the world. These clinical trials focus on the newest and most advanced treatments with the goal of improving survival rates for children with cancer. The cancer care team can best determine if a child is a candidate for any clinical trials.