Therapy Optimising Trials
Author: Prof. Dr. med. U. Creutzig, English Translation: Heidi Krumland, Last modification: 2007/04/17
Given the rare occurrence of malignant diseases in childhood, physicians working in the field of paediatric oncology already co-operated in the 1970s to gain sufficient experience in treating paediatric malignancies. Six years after Donald Pinkel (Memphis/USA) had presented his treatment results for children with ALL in Munich in 1968, nearly identical results were achieved in the first cooperative trial for treating ALL in Germany. The BFM (Berlin, Frankfurt, MĂĽnster) study group founded by H. Riehm in 1976 gained international recognition due to its treatment concept and high cure rate in ALL.
Today paediatric oncologists in more than 70 clinics throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland participate in this cooperation. During the last few years, more and more therapy optimising trials have taken place within a European or even worldwide context. This has led to impressive, internationally recognised treatment results. The table Diseases lists the various trials. Further details on individual trials can be obtained by clicking on the items listed in the right frame.
