What cancer types have been chosen for study in TARGET and why?
TARGET researchers are investigating the genomic changes associated with five common types of childhood cancer: acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemias (ALL and AML), neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma and high-risk Wilms tumor. These cancers were selected based on their prevalence, and the availability of clinically annotated collections of tumor samples that meet TARGET’s strict scientific, technical and ethical requirements. These collections were identified through a Childhood Cancer Biospecimens TARGET Initiative Request for Information (RFI) issued in 2007. Together, these diseases account for most of the more than 10,000 new pediatric cancer diagnoses each year.
