Background

Background
Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children. Current treatments include surgery, radiation and high-dose chemotherapy. Although these treatments have allowed many patients to survive, approximately one-third of MB patients still die from the disease. Moreover, survivors suffer severe side effects from treatment, including dramatic losses in cognitive function, endocrine disorders and increased susceptibility to other cancers later in life.

Background
Brain tumors are now the leading cause of cancer death in children. One of the most common brain tumors in children is called medulloblastoma. Many mutations (changes in the DNA) that cause medulloblastoma have been identified, and a new type of specific, targeted therapy looks very promising for attacking tumors with particular mutations. However, some tumors with these mutations do not respond to the new specific drugs.

Background
T-ALL occurs in ~20% of children with acute lymphoblast leukemia (ALL). T-ALL incidence peaks in adolescence but occurs throughout life. Intensified chemotherapy is now able to cure ~75% of children with T-ALL; however, relapsed disease responds poorly to treatment. Furthermore, the intensive chemotherapy required for cure is quite toxic with multiple side effects. Thus, there is a need for new therapeutic approaches in T-ALL that are effective in relapsed disease and/or decrease the toxicity of current therapies.

Background