NORTH-EAST researchers have come up with a way of predicting how children whose cancer returns after treatment are likely to respond to further treatment.

The findings, from the largest study of its kind, will allow doctors to analyse the genetic profile of cancer cells to personalise treatment and improve survival rates.

Up to nine in 10 children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, will now achieve a long-term cure but the prognosis is much poorer for those who relapse.

Researchers from Newcastle, funded by blood cancer charity Bloodwise, analysed leukaemia cells from 427 children treated for relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia between 2003 and 2013.

Using a variety of tests they were able to view specific genetic changes under a microscope, which will allow doctors to personalise treatment.

The team was led by Professor Anthony Moorman and Dr Julie Irving from the Northern Institute for Cancer Research at Newcastle University.

Prof Moorman, who co-leads the Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group at Newcastle University, said: “Current methods used to guide treatment for relapsed leukaemia are not accurate enough, with some children believed to have a good chance of survival are actually responding very poorly to chemotherapy. Screening patients at relapse for key genetic abnormalities that influence outcome will ensure that treatment can be personalised, thereby improving their chances of survival.”

Dr Alasdair Rankin, research director at Bloodwise, said: “The outlook for children who relapse is generally poor and so more effective treatment approaches are desperately needed. These findings represent a significant step forward in the development of personalised treatment for these patients. Further research will be needed to test whether tailoring treatment for relapsed disease based on genetic factors does actually improve survival rates.”