Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Basic and Translational Lab
Cancer Research at a Lab Dedicated to A Finding Cure
The second most common type of cancer in children is brain tumors. With more than 120 types of brain tumors, finding a cure for each can be challenging. Every cancer is unique and adapts to a child’s individual genetic makeup differently. That’s why studying tumor tissue is more important than ever to help children battling this illness.
The Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children conducts advanced research studies to better understand why brain tumors form, how they grow and determine potential therapeutic options.
Our Approach
Our lab in Central Florida has grown tumor cell lines from pediatric tissues in culture and animal models to study tumor growth and real-time response to treatments. The models established allow us to test the effectiveness of different treatments to find cures and prolong the life of children diagnosed with brain tumors.
Through our research, we strive to develop personalized medicine with treatments tailored to the individual child and their predicted response to a tumor type.
Driving Research Excellence
The Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer continues to demonstrate excellence. As leaders in childhood cancer research, we offer children the most advanced treatment options available. Consider our strengths:
- Chosen as one of five lead institutions nationwide by the Children’s Oncology Group in 2020
- Chosen as one of six Centers of Excellence nationwide by Gift from a Child in 2021
- One of just 10 medical centers in North America to be a member of the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators’ Consortium (POETIC), an organization that emphasizes comprehensive cancer care and research.
- As a founding member of Beat Childhood Cancer (BCC), Orlando Health Arnold Palmer participates in an international network clinical of trials dedicated to providing new therapies for children with relapsed neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma.
- Excelling in the generation of patient-derived cell lines from both surgical resections and post-mortem collections
- A national leader in biorepository/biobanking, the process of collecting tissue or fluids for research to improve the understanding of health and tissue
Frequently Asked Questions
Our process has a few steps. First, we extract cells from tumor tissue. Then, we create a body-like environment in an incubator in the lab. Next, cells are placed in the incubator and grown at body temperature with a gas exchange. We then watch the cells to see how they develop and change.
Yes. The Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer will collect and carefully process cancerous tissue samples recovered from biopsy, surgery or autopsy at the end of life. The procedure is performed right here at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital in Central Florida.
Most tissue samples are collected through surgery or autopsy at end of life. In some cases, cancerous tissue samples can be removed through biopsy and studied while your child is undergoing chemo or radiation treatment.
If we are able to biopsy your child’s tumor at diagnosis or during treatment, we can study how the tumor survives and build a comprehensive story about the makeup of your child’s specific cancer. This type of ongoing research will not result in immediate benefit to your child’s current treatment plan, but it provides benefits for future patients. It can also lead to new treatments based on the research findings.
Thank you for your support. If you wish to make a monetary donation to the Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab to drive cancer research, please click here.
Contact Us
For more information on the Neuro-Oncology Translational Lab, please contact us at [email protected].
