Pediatric Cancer Research

Testimonials

Dr. Carolyn Felix was brought to CHOP as a clinician-scientist to further research in the field of childhood leukemia (ALL). On the very special night of December 3, 1991, her new laboratory was dedicated as "The Canuso Foundation Leukemia Biology Research Laboratory". It was established in honor of "Babe" Canuso Fisher, then 26 years old, who had survived ALL in the days when most children died of that disease. Babe's parents, husband and son were present on that memorable occasion.

Dr. Felix's laboratory work, so generously supported by the Canuso Foundation, has been focused on the molecular aspects of childhood leukemia. It involves linking the problems of the clinical world with their possible solutions at the laboratory bench. This past year has been a very exciting time in the laboratory because, for the first time, laboratory research has brought a new molecularly targeted agent into the clinic. It is designed to make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy while reducing the toxic side effects of treatment. This is a manifestation of the encompassing research going on in Dr. Felix's laboratory. Those investigations, which include increased understanding of the biology and causes of high risk forms of leukemia in infants and children, should translate into novel strategies for prevention as well as treatment. All this has been greatly helped by the generous support of the Canuso Foundation, for which Dr. Felix and her team extend their very grateful thanks.

Dr Carolyn A. Felix, M.D.

Professor of Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine