Overview

WP1: Cancer Cell Plasticity
This work package investigates how cancer cells in children can change their identity and behavior over time, allowing them to adapt to therapies and drive relapse, with the goal of identifying vulnerabilities that can be targeted to prevent treatment resistance.

WP2: Metabolism in Childhood Cancers
Here, we study how cancer cells use and reprogram their metabolism and how they interact with their surrounding environment, aiming to uncover metabolic weaknesses that can be exploited to develop more effective and less toxic therapies.

WP3: Tumor Evolution and Modelling
This work package focuses on understanding how tumors evolve across time and space by integrating clinical data, imaging and molecular information, enabling the development of predictive models that help match each patient with the most effective treatment.

WP4: Immune-Based Therapies
WP4 aims to harness the power of the immune system by developing and improving innovative immunotherapies, including engineered cell therapies, specifically adapted to the unique biology of childhood cancers.

WP5: Translation into Clinical Care
This work package bridges research and medicine by implementing national platforms for precision oncology, ensuring that new diagnostic tools and treatment strategies are rapidly translated into clinical practice and made accessible to patients across Switzerland.

WP6: Communication with Society
WP6 explores how childhood cancer is perceived and communicated among patients, families, healthcare providers and the public, with the aim of improving understanding, trust and decision-making while shaping future health policies.

All Working Packages (WP) are driven by a strong network of interdisciplinary research groups that combine expertise in biology, medicine, data science and communication, creating a collaborative ecosystem designed to address the complexity of childhood cancers and accelerate progress for young patients.

A central focus lies on translating discoveries into clinical practice. Through national platforms and precision oncology approaches, we aim to bring cutting-edge diagnostics and treatments directly to patients across Switzerland. In parallel, we examine how childhood cancer is perceived and communicated in society, ensuring that scientific progress is aligned with patient needs, ethical considerations and public understanding.