The challenge of improving the prognosis of children and adolescents with cancer: Translational pediatric cancer research model of the University Hospital VaIl d'Hebron

Malignancies in children and adolescents are rare diseases with diverse prognosis and biological behavior. The prognosis of childhood cancer has improved considerably in recent decades and survival is approximately 70% in developed countries. However, even with current treatments, a significant number of these patients still suffer relapse and cancer is the second most common cause of death among children and adolescents. In our research program, molecular diagnostics, detection of minimal disseminated disease and identification of new therapeutic strategies are the pillars that can improve the results of current treatments for childhood cancer. In this report we describe the research strategies of our program.