Immune-based therapies and other biologically-derived drugs are playing an increasingly important role in the treatment of childhood cancers. Biological agents include living organisms, substances derived from living organisms, or laboratory-produced versions of these substances, including antibodies, enzymes, cytokines, growth factors, cell therapies, vaccines and viruses.

New biologics are revolutionizing the treatment of childhood cancer, but our understanding of their pharmacology in children is limited. The distribution of biologics in body and the manner by which these drugs are eliminated from the body differ significantly from more traditional drugs.

At the Center for Childhood Cancer Research, our experts, including Frank Balis, MD, are studying how these drugs are handled by the body. The goal is to enhance our ability to best use biologics in the overall treatment of childhood cancer.