INCTR Holds Regional Meeting in Riyadh

The first regional meeting of the INCTR, held jointly with the Research Center of the King Faisal Specialist Hospital, took place in November at the King Fahd Children's Medical Center (KFCMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting was organized by Dr Abdallah Al-Nasser, a consultant pediatric oncologist from the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the KFCMC, and made possible by the Director of the Research Center, Dr Sultan Al-Sedairy. Attending were delegates from 13 countries—Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen. The purpose of the meeting was to encourage the formation of a Middle Eastern Cooperative Group for Pediatric Oncology. A representative from each country was invited to provide information on the pattern of pediatric cancer at their own institution or within their country, and to comment on available resources. Didactic sessions were held on translational studies, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, palliative care, specialist education and training (including the role of the INCTR in such programs), then group discussions were held on four potential areas of activities for the new group—acute lymphoblastic leukemia, osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, and infections in the immuno-compromised host.

All delegates expressed strong interest in joining the group and in participating in one or more of the initially selected topics. It was decided to focus on further information gathering in the context of ALL, a clinical trial for patients with metastatic disease in osteosarcoma, collecting information on the reasons for late presentation in retinoblastoma, and to develop guidelines that would be used within the region for febrile neutropenic patients and other aspects of supportive care. It was further decided that Dr Abdallah Al-Nasser would function as coordinator. An INCTR office will be established within the KFCMC for Dr Al-Nasser and a small staff. Further meetings will be held, but dates have yet to be decided.