Research at CHKD
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the survival rate for children with cancer continues to improve. This improvement is due to significant advances in treatment, resulting in a cure or long-term remission. The advances in treatment for pediatric cancers is due in part to research that is done at places like CHKD.
Clinical Trials
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) is one of more than 240 medical facilities participating in clinical trials through the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). COG is an international organization whose mission is to eliminate the personal, family and societal burden of cancer in children and adolescents by: preventing and curing childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care, performing clinical and research trials, and conducting laboratory research.
The number of facilities participating in COG allows 90 percent of children diagnosed with cancer access to state-of-the-art therapies offered by COG studies. Through its clinical trials, COG has increased the cure rate of childhood cancer to approximately 75 percent.
Cancer Research
As a member of COG, CHKD's department of hematology/oncology has approximately 70 COG studies open for enrollment. COG develops and coordinates cancer research studies for over 220 member institutions, including cancer centers of all major universities and teaching hospitals throughout North America. Member facilities must undergo a thorough performance evaluation every three years and demonstrate competence, compliance and commitment to curing and preventing childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.
The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health oversees the research studies done in cooperation with the Children's Oncology Group.
Sickle Cell and Bleeding Disorders Research
Our research office also provides support for studies on sickle cell and bleeding disorders patients. Many of these studies are national multi-cultural studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
One such study helped prove the safety of an important new treatment to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with sickle cell disease. Learn more about the NIH-sponsored study of hydroxyurea therapy that showed such promising results officials ended it earlier than expected so patients could begin receiving the therapy.
Consent Process
Consent to participate in any of our research studies is voluntary and the parent/family may choose to stop participating at any time by notifying us in writing. One of our hematology/oncology physicians will meet with the patient/family to discuss the study and explain the need for signed consents.
Currently, all research related paperwork, including consent forms and treatment plans, are reviewed by the Eastern Virginia Medical School Institutional Review Board.