Holland Reporter

On May 22, 2023, Congressman Bill Huizenga announced his support for the Give Kids a Chance Act. This bipartisan legislation would ensure that children with cancer can participate in not only single-drug trials, but also combination therapy trials. It would also require the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to analyze the collection of preclinical data and better utilize existing clinical data to determine potential pediatric uses of drugs.

The Give Kids a Chance Act was introduced in the House last week by Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and earlier this month in the Senate by Senator Michael Bennett (D-CO) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). Congressman Huizenga is an original cosponsor of the House bill and the only member of Congress from Michigan to sign on to the Give Kids a Chance Act upon introduction.

“This bipartisan legislation opens the door for the most innovative and life-saving treatments to children battling cancer,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “The Give Kids a Chance Act will improve research, save lives, and provide families with the most precious resource of all – time. I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to help families in Michigan and across America win this fight!”

“Children should be given the same opportunity as adults to beat cancer, full stop,” said Congressman Michael McCaul. “It has been the highlight of my career to fight for a better future for children with cancer, and the Give Kids A Chance Act is another large step in the right direction.”

“Today, cutting-edge cancer treatments involve a combination of drugs to improve health outcomes for adults, but there is limited research on how these therapies can help children,” said Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. “Our legislation will authorize the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to direct drug companies to conduct pediatric cancer trials on combination therapies. We've come long way, and this bill will ensure children have access to the newest and most effective treatments to treat and cure cancer.”

“Child cancer patients should have every chance possible to beat this nightmare disease,” said Senator Marco Rubio. “We cannot let outdated bureaucratic hurdles block innovative and potentially life-saving treatments. No family should ever have to experience the horrific pain of losing a child, and I will push for this bill to become law this year.”

"Cancer doctors and medical professionals should have every tool at their disposal to treat kids who are battling pediatric cancer," said Senator Michael Bennet. "Our bipartisan legislation will make sure cutting-edge trials and combination therapies are available to treat this disease and improve outcomes for our kids. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this done as we keep fighting to end cancer as we know it."

Background:

The FDA is currently authorized to only direct pediatric cancer trials of single drugs. Unfortunately, children with relapsed cancer are rarely cured by one-drug treatments because their cancers are so advanced. This bipartisan bill would authorize the FDA to require pediatric studies to combine certain molecularly-targeted oncology drugs or biologics to determine if the combination of therapies can help treat the growth and progression of pediatric cancer. Combination therapy trials have proven successful in adults with cancer, especially in preventing relapse. The vast majority of pediatric cancer trials are currently conducted on kids with relapsed cancer.

Original source can be found here.