PKC Symposium: towards a better understanding of the pediatric immune system

How can we better understand the development and maturation of the immune system to optimize treatments for pediatric cancers? This central question was at the heart of the first international symposium organized by the Paris Kids Cancer (PKC) pediatric oncology research center, held on June 5 and 6 at the Imagine Institute in Paris.

The fruit of a strategic collaboration between AP-HP (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris), Gustave Roussy and Institut Curie, Paris Kids Cancer benefits from the label and funding of the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). This initiative federates the skills of teams in the Paris region from research and care centers, universities and parents’ associations. Its aim: to create a synergy of expertise in pediatric oncology to accelerate the development of innovative new therapeutic approaches.

Environmental risk factors for Wilms’ tumor

A team of researchers from IARC – the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer – including F. M. Onyije, L. Bouanoun, A. Olsson, R. Dolatkhah and J. Schüz, recently published a systematic review and meta-analysis of Wilms’ tumours. This research synthesized the multiple links established between different environmental factors and the development of Wilms’ tumors in children. Such investigations into the origins of pediatric cancers are of vital importance in identifying strategies for their primary prevention.

Congress Advances in Neuroblastoma Research 2025

At the Advances in Neuroblastoma Research (ANR) 2025 conference, the Institut Curie and its SIREDO center presented promising results concerning neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer that is particularly complex to treat. The work was led by Dr. G. Schleiermacher, pediatrician and deputy director of translational research at the SIREDO center, and I. Janoueix-Lerosey, Inserm research director and team leader at the Institut Curie.

Research focuses on three main areas. On the one hand, the team is developing new therapeutic strategies for low-risk neuroblastoma as part of the SIOPENS-LINE study. Secondly, it is working on improving relapse prevention in high-risk neuroblastoma by analyzing circulating biomarkers, a project being conducted as part of the MICCHADO study. Finally, researchers are working to better understand the development of neuroblastoma in order to develop future new treatments.

Paris Kids Cancer International Symposium June 5-6, 2025

Paris Kids Cancer (PKC) is organizing its first international symposium, a major scientific event in pediatric oncology, on June 5 and 6, 2025 in Paris. This exceptional event will focus on the study of the development of the immune system during embryogenesis and childhood, its dysregulation and concrete applications for pediatric cancer research. PKC, a center of excellence in pediatric oncology in the Paris region accredited by the Institut National du Cancer and co-directed by AP-HP, Gustave Roussy and Institut Curie, will bring together international experts and leading researchers to advance knowledge in this crucial field.

Leukemic cells and their adaptation to treatments

Researchers at CRCL led by Sylvain Lefort are studying how acute myeloid leukemia cells deform to resist treatments. To accomplish this, they have recreated the bone marrow environment in laboratory settings and collaborate with physicists to analyze cellular flexibility. This work aims to identify biomechanical markers that can predict therapeutic response and improve understanding of cancer cell survival mechanisms.

Fundamental Research Award Ceremony

Congratulations to Fabien Boudia (T. Mercher’s team) and Klaudia Galant (F. Pflumio’s team) for their fundamental research award from the Laurette Fugain’s Association presented during the annual congress of the Société Française d’Hématologie.

PEDIAC Scientific Committee:
Two days of fruitful scientific exchanges at Gustave Roussy

Program members gathered on March 27 and 28, 2025 at the Gustave Roussy Institute in Villejuif for an annual scientific committee meeting. The scientific exchanges highlighted the engaged projects that would benefit from support beyond the end of 2025 to sustain functional analyses that will require several more years of work.

Seminar on the latest advances in epigenetics and cancer research

On February 26th, a scientific seminar was held, led by Z. Herceg, focusing on recent developments in epigenetics and cancer research. The event fostered exchanges and collaboration between researchers from King Saud bon Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences and King Abdullah International Medical Research Center.

February 15, World Pediatric Cancer Day

On February 15, 2025, several PEDIAC researchers took part in the React4Kids and 2500 Voices live stream to raise the voices of the 2,500 children and young people affected every year.

Progressive chromatin rewiring by ETO2::GLIS2 revealed in a genome-edited human iPSC model of pediatric leukemia initiation

The T. Mercher‘s team has made a significant breakthrough in the study of acute myeloid leukemia. Their work, recently published in the prestigious journal Blood, presents a major innovation: they have successfully modeled the development of this disease using normal induced pluripotent stem cells. This novel approach allows for an in-depth exploration of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in this form of leukemia, known for its unfavorable prognosis. This discovery opens new perspectives for understanding and potentially treating this complex pathology.

The Institut National du Cancer launched a serie of podcasts devoted to cancer research: “Let’s talk about cancer research”.

T-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a rare but serious blood cancer that affects children and young adults under the age of 30. At the Hôpital Necker – Enfants malades, researchers are analyzing the genetic abnormalities of this disease in order to propose targeted therapies tailored to each patient. Find out how Prof. Asnafi and his team are fighting to improve the survival of young patients affected by LAL-T leukemia.

Epigenome-wide analysis across the development span of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: backtracking to birth

The study of Z. Herceg‘s team provides proof-of-concept to detect at birth epigenetic precursors of pediatric pre-B ALL. These alterations were reproducible with different technologies, in three continents and in two ethnicities, and can offer biomarkers for early detection and prognosis as well as actionable targets for therapy.

Enfants cancers santé: major sponsor of the symposium “Pediatric cancers: from origins and causes to therapeutic perspectives”

The Fédération Enfants cancers santé & Lions international organized a grand concert on Saturday, October 5th at the Pentemont Abbey in Paris, to show their support for sick children and their families. The event also aimed to offer a memorable evening to all those who work by their side—volunteers, donors, and researchers. During the event, a symbolic check representing the Federation’s essential support for organizing the symposium “Pediatric Cancers: From Origins and Causes to Therapeutic Perspectives” (May 29-31) was presented to the coordinator of the PEDIAC program.

Developmental interplay between transcriptional alterations and a targetable cytokine signaling dependency in pediatric ETO2::GLIS2 leukemia

T. Mercher‘s team, in collaboration with F. Pflumio’s, have highlighted the role of cytokines in the permissiveness of leukemic transformation by the oncogenic ETO2-GLIS2 fusion of hematopoietic cells during development, enabling to propose new therapeutic avenues.

Integrative analysis of neuroblastoma by single-cell RNA sequencing identifies the NECTIN2-TIGIT axis as a target for immunotherapy

Pediatric patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have poor survival rates and urgently need more effective treatment options with less side effects. Since novel and improved immunotherapies may fill this need, I. Janoueix’s team and al, dissect the immunoregulatory interactions in neuroblastoma by single-cell RNA-sequencing of 24 tumors (10 pre- and 14 post-chemotherapy, including 5 pairs) to identify strategies for optimizing immunotherapy efficacy.

“Horizon 2030: pathways, ambitions and innovations

At the Unicancer Innovation Awards, the team led by M. Castets, Inserm research fellow and team leader at CLB, and C. Gallerne, React4Kids project leader, wins the “Coup de coeur du jury” prize for the Share4Kids project.

PEDIAC Scientific Committee – 3rd edition

The 3rd Scientific Committee of the PEDIAC program was held on November 8 and 9 at the Imagine Institute in Paris. All the project teams held important discussions to coordinate this vast effort to bring together epidemiology and experimental biology in the field of pediatric cancers.

Advances in research for a better cure – Journal Vaincre le cancer

The Journal “Vaincre le cancer” deciphers research advances in the treatment of pediatric cancers with Prof. V. Minard-Colin, pediatric oncologist, and Dr. T. Mercher, research director.

Residential proximity to vineyards and childhood cancer risk – GEOCAP 2006-2013

Exposure to pesticides is suspected of being a risk factor for several pediatric cancers, in particular acute leukemia (ALL). Most studies carried out in France and abroad have focused on the link between children’s risk of developing this disease and the mother’s use of pesticides at home, during and after pregnancy. The risk of environmental exposure to pesticides, due to geographical proximity to agricultural plots, has been less well documented.In order to advance knowledge on the subject, J. Clavel‘s EPICEA team has set up a study to assess the risk of LA in children living near vineyards, a crop subject to intensive pesticide use (cf. Mancini et al. 2023, Inserm Press Release). This study is part of the GEOCAP (geolocalization of pediatric cancers) research program on the role of environmental factors in pediatric cancers.

React4Kids network’s “Understanding for Care” conference in Marseille

The congress organized by the React4Kids network brought together over 110 researchers to share the latest advances in research and strengthen their collaborations. PEDIAC teams belonging to this network presented their work on pediatric cancers.

Symposium on environmental health disparities in childhood cancer in Houston

At the 4th Symposium on Environmental Health Disparities in Childhood Cancer, Z. Herceg presented his team’s recent work aimed at understanding the origins and causes of childhood cancer by investigating epigenetic changes associated with in utero exposure and childhood cancer risk in different populations.

Childhood cancers, spectacular advances in medicine

During International Pediatric Cancer Month, the “ Septembre en or” solidarity campaign raises awareness among the general public about pediatric cancers. Find an article on medical progress in the newspaper La Croix.

National information day on childhood and adolescent cancers and leukemias

The first general public day of mobilization and awareness on pediatric cancers, in collaboration with the SFCE, took place on Saturday September 16. This day allowed for exchanges between parent associations, doctors and researchers engaged in this fight.

Synthesized evidence for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

In a recent work, J. Schüz’s team evaluated the strength of evidence and magnitude of risk factors for childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) using relevant systematic reviews and pooled analyses. Joachim’s team also estimated the risk factor exposure prevalence data in the French population as an example of the relevance of the various risk factors. The team provides an update on some of these risk factors strengthening their earlier findings and further promote the prevention of childhood ALL.

PEDIAC researchers respond to parent/patient associations

The React4Kids network is organizing 4 evenings of videoconferences between researchers from the PEDIAC program and parent/patient associations, on June 19-20-21-22 from 8pm to 9:30pm.

Symposium Pediatric cancers, from causes to treatments

The PEDIAC program was presented at the “Pediatric cancers, from causes to treatments” symposium held at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, on the occasion of the National Leukemia Days.

Reversible transitions between noradrenergic and mesenchymal tumor identities define cell plasticity in neuroblastoma

In addition to the mutations observed at the genetic level, other mechanisms related to the epigenetic states of tumour cells may be involved in tumor phenotype and response to treatment. In several neuroblastoma models, I. Janoueix-Lerosey’s team has documented spontaneous and reversible plasticity between NORadrenergic and MESenchymal identities, associated with epigenetic reprogramming. The data revealed that intrinsic factors and signals from the microenvironment dictate cellular identity in this paediatric cancer.

React4Kids Young Researchers Days

During the React4Kids National Network Young Researchers Days on 4 and 5 May 2023, T. Mercher will present his work on the role of ontogeny and transcriptional alterations in paediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukaemia. M. Castets will give an update on the Share4Kids database.

Seminar on epigenetics and environmental origins of pediatric cancers

During a seminar organized by The Environmental Health Solutions Seminar Series on Thursday, April 20,  Z. Herceg will present findings on epigenetics and environmental origins of pediatric cancers.

AACR congress

At the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting (from April, 14-19 in Orlando, Florida), Z. Herceg will present recent findings on the origins of childhood cancer.

Pollutants and pediatric cancers

Studying the possible causal link between pollutants and pediatric cancers, as underlined in this article of Reporterre, is indeed one of the research axes of the PEDIAC consortium, of which Marie Castets‘ team is a member. Establishing adequate models to specify the role of pollutants in the occurrence of cancers in children and young people is a key issue to define the causes of these diseases, in parallel with epidemiological studies. PEDIAC researchers are mobilized on this issue.

Long-term support from Ligue contre le cancer to PEDIAC teams 

The research projects of the PEDIAC teams are also supported by the Ligue contre le cancer, a major actor in pediatric cancer research. Here, the Ligue’s brochure “20 ans tout rond” highlights four PEDIAC teams.

Pediatric cancer: hope for better treatments for children with cancer

At the Lyon Cancer Center, M. Castets, a research fellow at Inserm, and her team are working to rethink therapeutic approaches for children. The first step is to better understand the mechanisms of resistance to treatment in young patients. This is the research focus of C. Savary, a post-doctoral researcher in M. Castets’ team.

Harnessing the MYB-dependent TAL1 5’super-enhancer for targeted therapy in T-ALL

The acquisition of genetic abnormalities leading to deregulation of oncogenes is the basis for cancer development. Some proto-oncogenes have several mechanisms of deregulation. In T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), in V. Asnafi‘s team, C. Smith showed that patients carrying 5’super-enhancer (5’SE) mutations of the TAL1 oncogene constitute a specific subgroup of patients with a poor prognosis, independently of the level of oncogene deregulation. Interestingly, this anomaly may serve as a therapeutic target for the molecule Mebendazole.

SFH 2023 Congress

On the occasion of the congress of the French Society of Hematology from March 29 to 31, V. Asnafi will present an extended classification of T lymphoblastic leukemias.

“Cancer is a strange biological object. It is observed in virtually the entire animal and plant kingdom, and is a common disease in humans. However, at the cellular level, it is an extremely rare phenomenon. – Olivier Delattre

Discover the portrait and the interview of O. Delattre who received the 2022 INSERM Grand Prize. This pediatrician and researcher at the Institut Curie works on childhood cancers and leads the team “Diversity and plasticity of childhood tumours” of which I. Janoueix-Lerosey is a member.

Parental occupational exposure to combustion products, metals, silica and asbestos and risk of childhood leukaemia: Findings from the Childhood Cancer and Leukaemia International Consortium (CLIC)

Parental occupational exposures around conception (father) or during pregnancy (mother) have been hypothesized as potential predisposing factors for childhood leukaemia. J. Schüz’s team investigated parental exposure to several known occupational carcinogens and childhood leukaemia risk.

Metabolism, hematopoietic development and splicing

The CHO (Club for Hematopoiesis and Oncogenesis) congress will be held from October 12 to 15, 2022. Among the speakers, T. Mercher and V. Maguer Satta will speak to present their projects.

4th congress “Childhood cancers: understand to treat” – React4Kids

Don’t miss the symposium entitled “Childhood cancers: understand to treat” organized by the REACT-4Kids network from October 10 to 12, 2022 in Strasbourg. O. Ayrault (WP2 coordinator of the PEDIAC program) will present the consortium.

“Septembre en Or” dedicated to the fight against pediatric cancers

On the occasion of Septembre en or, a month dedicated to the support and the fight against pediatric cancers in the world, V. Maguer Satta (WP3 coordinator of the PEDIAC program) explains in an interview the stakes of the project.

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals shared immunosuppressive landscapes of mouse and human neuroblastoma

High-risk neuroblastoma is a pediatric cancer with still a dismal prognosis, despite multimodal and intensive therapies. Tumor microenvironment represents a key component of the tumor ecosystem the complexity of which has to be accurately understood to define selective targeting opportunities, including immunebased therapies.The works of I. Janoueix’s team provides a new and precious data resource to better understand the neuroblastoma ecosystem and suggest novel therapeutic strategies, targeting both tumor cells and components of the microenvironment.

Epstein-Barr Virus Genome Deletions in Epstein-Barr Virus-Positive T/NK Cell Lymphoproliferative Diseases

The main target cells for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and persistence are B lymphocytes, although T and NK cells could also be infected. The team of S. Latour in collaboration with the team of Paul Farrell (Imperial College London) characterized the EBV present in 21 pediatric and adult patients, treated in France for a serie of diseases leading to infection of T or NK cells called “Chronic active EBV” or CAEBV. In 30% of cases, the EBV genome has large deletions that are different from one patient to another located in the vicinity of the BART region. These deletions appear and are selected independently from patient to patient. These results support the role of these deletions in these atypical forms of EBV infection.

A new work on pediatric leukemias

A work between the teams of T. Mercher U1170 and I. Plo/H. Raslova U1287 on acute megakaryoblastic leukemia of Down syndrome.

More than 110 participants at the PEDIAC seminar on “Pesticides: exposures, metabolism and toxicology”

The scientific webinar on May 31, on the topic of pesticides welcomed over 110 participants! Find out more about the topics that were discussed.

Code Against Cancer

IARC scientists including Joachim Schuz, participate at the 1st Executive Meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Code against Cancer and are discussing scientific evidence with the goal of launching the Code on World Cancer Day 2023! The more exciting event will be the launch on World cancer day 2023.

Workshop “Pesticides: metabolism and toxicology”

Don’t miss the workshop on Tuesday, May 31 from 2 pm to 6 pm, which will focus on pesticides. Register for free to get the connecting link.

Visit of volunteers from the Aïda association to the Gustave Roussy Institute

Volunteers from the Aïda association visited the Thomas Mercher’s laboratory (Inserm U1170 Univ, Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy) to learn about cancer research. This association of volunteers is committed to young people affected by cancer. They participate in several missions such as helping patients, supporting research and science popularization.

WHO European report on inequalities in childhood cancer

On International Childhood Cancer Day, WHO Europe launched the report “Childhood cancer inequalities in the WHO European Region”. This report presents for the first time the evidence on child cancer inequalities in the region.  Joachim Schüz is part of the advisory group that supported this work.

Understand the origins of childhood cancers

On International Childhood Cancer Day, IARC presents a video explaining how their researchers are exploring avenues to “time travel” and study the origins of childhood cancers. More children die from childhood cancers than from any other disease. Understanding the causes of these cancers is essential to preventing them and finding cures.

Functional screening in ETO2-GLIS2 pediatric AML

Resulting from a collaboration between the teams of Julie Chaumeil (ATIP-Avenir, Institut Cochin), Thomas Mercher and Camille Lobry (Inserm U944, Institut Saint-Louis), this study reveals the importance of a functional module controlled by the ETO2-GLIS2 fusion oncogene, including two receptor tyrosine kinases mediating extracellular signals, in pediatric acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.

The research of Thomas Mercher’s team (Inserm U1170 Univ, Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy is supported by the Ligue since 2015.