Dr. Finlay has pioneered the approach of using high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant procedure to minimize the neurocognitive adverse effects of radiation therapy in very young children with brain tumors. This approach has formed the basis of our series of “Head Start” protocols. We have recently reported on excellent outcomes of infants and young children with medulloblastoma and sPET treated through our “Head Start” I and II protocols. The “Head Start” III protocol is currently open at our hospital. Clinical trials using this protocol are open at 41 institutions all over the country and in South America, Europe and Australia, with our hospital being the coordinating center for care. A variety of chemotherapy protocols from the Children’s Oncology Group are also open at our hospital in order to provide the best possible care to the patients according to their needs. |