Program Snapshot

The goal of the Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (Kids First) is to help researchers uncover new insights into the biology of childhood cancer and structural birth defects, including the discovery of shared genetic pathways between these disorders. Children with birth defects have an increased risk of developing childhood cancer. This suggests there are shared genetic pathways underlying some types of childhood cancer and structural birth defects. Kids First is achieving this goal through two initiatives: 1) identifying children with childhood cancer and structural birth defects and their families for whole genome sequencing performed by the Kids First sequencing centers 2) developing the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource, a large-scale database of clinical and genetic data from patients with childhood cancers and structural birth defects and their families. Analyzing genetic sequence data from children with childhood cancer and structural birth defects together may lead to the discovery of new genetic pathways.

Over 2015-2022, the program selected 63 childhood cancer and structural birth defects cohorts for whole genome sequencing through a peer-review process, representing and 21,000 patients and 55,000 genomes. The program will select additional cohorts in 2023 pending available funding. Clinical and genetic data from 21 of the Kids First projects are publicly available through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Data Resource Portal, a cloud-based platform made up of tools to foster analyses and collaborations between childhood cancer and structural birth defect research communities. Kids First is enabling new findings in birth defects and childhood cancers. 

For an overview of the Kids First Program watch the video below:


 


Gabriella Miller Kids First Program graphic identity featuring children with kites

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This page last reviewed on May 3, 2023