GRAND RAPIDS ? The Van Andel Research Institute Tuesday announced the creation of the VARI Pediatric Cancer Translational Research Program to identify the best treatment options for children based on the individual biology of their tumor, a process often referred to as personalized medicine.

The program will unite basic research and clinical care through a nationwide consortium of partners focused on the development of new, safe and effective treatments for children with cancer. Heading up the effort will be nationally recognized pediatric oncologist Giselle Sholler, M.D.

?This new initiative is undertaken with the best objective that I can possibly imagine: the goal of curing children with cancer,? said Van Andel Institute Chairman and CEO David Van Andel.

Dr. Sholler becomes co-director of the program along with Craig Webb, Ph.D., Director of VARI?s Program of Translational Medicine. She also receives joint clinical and academic appointments from Helen DeVos Children?s Hospital and the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

The VARI program will enable large-scale projects that will use the latest genomics and molecular analysis techniques to identify the best treatment options for children based on the individual biology of their tumor, a process often referred to as ?personalized medicine.?

?I have worked closely with Dr. Sholler for several years and have witnessed the passion, commitment, and expertise that she brings to her research to bring hope to children and families struck by devastating disease,? said Dr. Webb. ?Her presence in West Michigan will strengthen an already strong commitment to find advanced cures for diseases in children that currently carry a tragic prognosis.?

Dr. Sholler also continues her role as chair of the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium, a group of 11 universities and children?s hospitals that will now be headquartered at VARI, which offers a nationwide network of childhood cancer clinical trials.

Neuroblastoma is a particularly deadly pediatric tumor occurring in children less than 6 years of age that accounts for 15 percent of all pediatric cancer deaths in the United States. Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor, and primarily strikes children. 71 percent of all medulloblastoma patients are diagnosed by age 9.

The NMTRC clinical trials are based on research from a group of closely collaborating investigators and some of them derive from a process developed by Dr. Webb to permit real time processing of patient tumors and prediction of best drugs for that patient.

?Dr. Sholler is a crucial component of our new children?s cancer initiative, which promises to have a profound impact on the patients of West Michigan,? said VARI Director and President Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D. ?Dr. Sholler will also continue to benefit patients nationwide, and VARI, which already participates in the NMTRC, looks forward to increased involvement in the consortium Phase I trials and in finding cures for children with these devastating diseases.?

Throughout her career, Dr. Sholler has conducted preclinical testing of many drugs and recently opened a new Phase I study of the drug TPI-287 in relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma. Her experience with Phase I trials is an asset because the involvement of VARI and HDVCH in the NMTRC is expected to bring pediatric Phase I clinical trials to Grand Rapids.

Dr. Sholler has chaired the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium since its founding in 2008. The NMTRC members form a nationwide network of childhood cancer clinical trials, and in addition to VARI, include the following clinical partners: Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine; Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders, Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando; Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics; Connecticut Children’s Medical Center; Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University; Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital; Levine Children’s Hospital; Medical University of South Carolina; National Cancer Institute; Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, UCSD School of Medicine; and the University of Hawai?i Cancer Center.

Foundational support for her work has been received from: Witmer Foundation, Owen Moscone Foundation, Friends of Will, Max?s Ring of Fire, The Ishan Gala Foundation, Lillie’s Friends Foundation, NB Alliance, Melina?s White Light, Solving Kids Cancer, Hyundai Hope on Wheels, and St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

?Given the widespread national support of Dr. Sholler?s work, locating the NMTRC at Van Andel Institute puts West Michigan on the national stage with respect to children?s cancer,? said Van Andel. ?And the joint appointment of Dr. Sholler with Helen DeVos Children?s Hospital strengthens our ability and commitment to collaborate with our partners on the Medical Mile and throughout the nation.?

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