250 children die from cancer every day across the globe. Childhood cancer is still the first cause of death by disease among children in the U.S. Despite this, there are only seven drugs specifically designed and approved for pediatric cancer. Oncoheroes Biosciences is now at a crucial moment in its quest to find effective therapies for pediatric cancer patients, as they have the unprecedented opportunity to test Volasertib, one of its three clinic-ready compounds, in a crucial clinical trial. This trial is not just any trial - it's a beacon of hope for children and adolescents who have exhausted all other treatment options, battling against five aggressive pediatric cancers: Ewing sarcoma, medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and diffuse midline glioma (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
The Ally Anderson Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (aRMS) Research Fund | AllyARMSFund.org established in honor of childhood cancer fighter, Ally Anderson, will dedicate its initial funds to support Oncoheroes. Ally’s battle against aRMS began five years ago, and her journey illuminated the pressing need for advancements in pediatric cancer research, specifically in aRMS, a focal point of Oncoheroes’ clinic-ready compound, Volasertib.
"A few days before Ally left us, Ally was determined to make a difference so other children could access what eluded her. Her foremost goal was to support Oncoheroes in launching Volasertib’s trial" stated Patty Anderson, Ally's mother.
AllyARMSFund is supported by Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation and its goal is to raise research funds to help find safer and less-toxic treatments for Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. At Ally’s request, the initial funding will support Oncoheroes in its partnership with Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) to test Volasertib’s efficacy in several types of pediatric cancers, including Rhabdomyosarcoma. This basket trial, largely supported by Ein Herz für Kinder, would be the first comprehensive pediatric evaluation of this promising compound and would serve as the basis for a later global registration trial in the most suitable pediatric indication.
