The Institute of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (IHOPe) in Lyon and the University Hospitals of Marseille (AP-HM) are pleased to announce the establishment of South-ROCK, an integrated center of excellence in pediatric oncology research in Lyon and Marseille.
South-ROCK has been awarded a major grant of 6 million euros as part of the PEDIACRIEX call for projects by the National Cancer Institute, with an initial five-year label. This represents a significant opportunity for these exceptional teams to synergize their cutting-edge expertise, ultimately accelerating the fight against childhood cancers.
The Lyon-Marseille project, South-ROCK, is among the three centers in France that have been recognized as integrated sites of excellence in pediatric oncology research. This new initiative is spearheaded by IHOPe, the Cooperative Group of Civil Hospices of Lyon, and the Lyon Cancerology University (GCS-LCU), in collaboration with the Timone Hospital (AP-HM) in Marseille. Dr. Patrick Mehlen, a CNRS researcher and director of the Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL), will lead this groundbreaking effort and he will be assisted by a Deputy Director, Prof. Nicolas André, an pediatric oncologist at La Timone Children’s Hospital and co-Head of the REMAP-4Kids team the Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM). The scientific coordination of South-ROCK will be ensured by two early-career researchers, Dr Marie Castets (CRCL) and Dr Eddy PASQUIER (CRCM).
The goals of South-ROCK are as ambitious as they are critical. Each year, 80,000 children and adolescents worldwide succumb to cancer, and among the 220,000 who survive, two-thirds suffer from the long-term effects of the disease and its treatments. Recognizing the importance of addressing the specificities of pediatric cancers, South-ROCK’s mission is to study these cancers, focusing on the similarities with the mechanisms governing embryonic development and the unique context in which these diseases arise, especially in growing organisms.
The South-ROCK project will bring together a multitude of disciplines, uniting clinicians, specialists in developmental and cancer biology, bioinformaticians, mathematicians, epidemiologists, sociologists, and psychologists. The aim is to create a collection of models that replicate the complexity and heterogeneity of pediatric cancers at various levels – from the molecular to the organizational and environmental scales. These models will serve as the foundation for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies.
Over the past five years, the Lyon-Marseille consortium has worked tirelessly to strengthen the coordination of their respective expertise. Lyon’s researchers have showcased their skills in modeling and fundamental research, while their Marseille counterparts have excelled in translational approaches and drug repositioning. This funding will enhance this coordination, fostering close collaboration with other French teams through the national pediatric oncology research network, React4Kids.
The Lyon Cancerology Research Center (CRCL) and the Marseille Cancerology Research Center (CRCM), the two primary research centers behind the project, collectively comprise over 1,000 researchers, making them the two largest cancer research centers in France.
This innovative project relies on active collaboration among clinicians, researchers, innovative technical platforms, as well as parent and patient associations. This approach to healthcare democracy is indispensable for improving the care of young patients.
South-ROCK would not be possible without the support of several research institutions in Lyon and Marseille, affiliated with CNRS, Inserm, the University of Lyon 1, or Aix-Marseille University. Additionally, three hospital institutions – the Leon Berard Center, the Civil Hospices of Lyon, and the University Hospitals of Marseille (AP-HM), which are the 2nd and 3rd largest university hospital centers in France, will play a pivotal role in quickly translating the researchers’ discoveries into clinical applications.
In summary, South-ROCK represents a significant leap forward in pediatric oncology research. This Lyon-Marseille consortium is poised to transform the way we combat cancer in children and adolescents, using a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach. We look forward to tracking the progress of this innovative project and sharing the advancements made in this vital battle for the health of our younger generations. Stay tuned for more updates on South-ROCK and the developments in pediatric oncology research.