A national multicenter pediatric framework and digital infrastructure to foster the genomic approach for children and adolescents with highrisk solid tumors

In recent years, medicine has made great strides thanks to advances in molecular biology and new technologies. Among these, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized biomedical research, making it possible to study the DNA of cells and tissues in detail. Thanks to these technologies, we can now analyze the entire genome or exome of a cell in a short time, identifying genetic abnormalities specific to each disease and patient.

These advances are paving the way for so-called precision medicine — a personalized clinical approach tailored to the genetic characteristics of each individual patient. In pediatric oncology in particular, the systematic use of these methods offers new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of rare and hard-to-treat solid tumors.

The study in question aims to genetically characterize high-risk pediatric solid tumors and those that do not respond to conventional therapies. The goal is to identify targeted treatments specific to each patient’s genetic abnormalities, thus offering young patients a more effective and personalized therapeutic approach. Furthermore, this study will help extend access to precision medicine on a national scale, involving centers within the network of the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (AIEOP).