The Swedish Paediatric Association’s Section for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology recommends that whole genome sequencing should be a clinical routine at diagnosis for all childhood cancer patients.
“For GMS Childhood Cancer, the statement is a confirmation of the benefit we provide to children with cancer throughout Sweden,” says David Gisselsson Nord, professor at Lund University, chief physician at Region Skåne and co-chair of GMS Childhood Cancer.
Since 2020, GMS Childhood Cancer has worked to ensure that all children in Sweden affected by cancer have access to whole genome sequencing as part of the diagnostic process. The work has so far been carried out as a pilot project in collaboration between all paediatric oncology centres and with support from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The next step is routine implementation in the Swedish healthcare.
”The healthcare profession’s expressed support is an important cornerstone for our discussions with Sweden’s healthcare regions on the introduction of large-scale sequencing as a routine method in cancer diagnostics for everyone under the age of 18,” continues David Gisselsson Nord.
Recommendation from the Section for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology: Implementation of whole genome sequencing as clinical routine for all childhood cancer patients at diagnosis.
The Section for Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (PHO), which is a sub-association of the Swedish Paediatric Assosiaction, decided unanimously at its board meeting on 231005 that it considers that there is evidence for the implementation of whole genome sequencing (similar to the current GMS project) as a clinical routine for all childhood cancer patients at diagnosis. Read the full statement in Swedish.
GMS Childhood Cancer:
- A project within Genomic Medicine Sweden, run in close collaboration with the Swedish Childhood Tumor Biobank and financed by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund and the Ministry of Social Affairs.
- Through GMS Childhood Cancer, all children affected by cancer in Sweden have access to whole genome sequencing.
- So far, more than 600 children have received this enhanced precision diagnostics, enabling more personalised care and treatment.
- For the 117 children included in the first phase of the pilot study, whole genome sequencing revealed clinically relevant genetic alterations in >90% of cases, with genetics also contributing to refined diagnosis and/or identification of treatment targets for more than half of the children.
- Whole genome sequencing is carried out at four university hospitals, in collaboration with SciLifeLab Clinical Genomics platform, and all paediatric oncology centres in Sweden are involved in the work.
- Read more about GMS Childhood Cancer and Whole genome sequencing provides important information for treating children with cancer.
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