SickKids Study Reveals Chemotherapy's Genomic Impact on Childhood Tumors
A new study led by The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has found that nearly half of childhood tumors treated with common chemotherapy types show detectable DNA changes linked to the treatment within 18 months. The research, published in Nature, analyzed over 600 tumors from 544 patients across Canada, Australia, and the United States. By using whole genome sequencing and advanced computational methods, researchers identified distinct genomic signatures left by different chemotherapies. These findings challenge the belief that pediatric cancers are genetically quiet and highlight the significant mutations linked to chemotherapy, particularly platinum-based treatments. The study aims to help clinicians identify treatment resistance earlier, potentially leading to more precise chemotherapy use. 
