Sidra highlights advances in paediatric oncology research

Sidra Medicine, part of Qatar Foundation, unveiled its latest Paediatric Oncology Report 2025, marking World Cancer Research Day and Cancer Awareness Month. The report, covering diagnoses from 2019 to 2025, details 538 paediatric cancer cases. Leukaemia led with 34% of diagnoses, followed by central nervous system tumours at 22%, lymphoma at 10%, neuroblastoma at 7%, and germ cell tumours at 7%.

The report underscores Sidra Medicine's strides in paediatric cancer research and precision oncology. Dr Wouter Hendrickx, director of the Paediatric Oncology Qatar programme (SPOQ), explained that advances in research are enhancing clinical teams' understanding of each child's unique cancer characteristics, aiding informed treatment decisions.

Precision medicine is pivotal, enabling better understanding of tumour biology and targeted treatment options. Sidra Medicine integrates genomic and molecular insights into care, supporting clinical teams in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment planning. Dr Chiara Cugno, acting division chief, Haematology and Oncology, emphasised that advancements in paediatric cancer care involve improving diagnosis and tailoring the right care for each child.

Sidra Medicine is one of few hospitals globally offering precision care for haematology and oncology patients. The hospital's multidisciplinary approach unites paediatric oncologists, haematologists, and specialists in pathology, genomics, radiology, surgery, neurosciences, and more. This integration bolsters diagnosis and personalised treatment planning.

Sidra Medicine has seen a decrease in children needing treatment abroad, with complex therapies like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cell therapy advancing, partly thanks to local manufacturing of CAR-T cells. Looking forward, Sidra Medicine aims to provide comprehensive molecular profiling to every paediatric cancer patient, fostering the global adoption of cutting-edge treatment strategies.