Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers

Sultan Okur Acar; Deniz Kızmazoğlu; Özlem Tüfekçi Gürocak

doi:10.18614/dehm.1955635

Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers

Abstract

Abstract Childhood cancers remain one of the leading causes of disease-related mortality in the pediatric population. Although multi-agent chemotherapy protocols have significantly improved survival rates, outcomes remain suboptimal in a substantial proportion of patients with high-risk, relapsed, or refractory disease. In addition, the cumulative toxicity of conventional cytotoxic agents is associated with serious long-term morbidities. Advances in genomic profiling and molecular characterization have enhanced our understanding of the biology of leukemias and solid tumors, enabling the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies with reduced systemic toxicity. In recent years, immunotherapeutic agents such as blinatumomab and inotuzumab ozogamicin, along with chimeric antigen receptor-T cell (CAR-T) cell therapy, have fundamentally transformed the treatment paradigm for relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Furthermore, targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors and FLT3 inhibitors, have significantly improved survival when incorporated into conventional chemotherapy regimens in both acute myeloid leukemia and high-risk ALL. In solid tumors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, targeted small molecules, and antibody-based therapies have demonstrated promising results. This review aims to summarize the current evidence on targeted therapies in pediatric leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumors, highlight ongoing clinical trials, and discuss future perspectives regarding the integration of these agents into frontline treatment strategies.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Review

Authors

Sultan Okur Acar ^*
0000-0002-5768-0890
Türkiye

Deniz Kızmazoğlu
0000-0001-6269-187X
Türkiye

Özlem Tüfekçi Gürocak
0000-0002-0721-1025
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 30, 2026

Submission Date

May 31, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 40 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1955635

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57DH42RY

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Okur Acar, S., Kızmazoğlu, D., & Tüfekçi Gürocak, Ö. (2026). Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, 40(3), 301-316. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1955635

AMA

1.Okur Acar S, Kızmazoğlu D, Tüfekçi Gürocak Ö. Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40(3):301-316. doi:10.18614/dehm.1955635

Chicago

Okur Acar, Sultan, Deniz Kızmazoğlu, and Özlem Tüfekçi Gürocak. 2026. “Targeted Therapies in Pediatric Cancers”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 (3): 301-16. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1955635.

EndNote

Okur Acar S, Kızmazoğlu D, Tüfekçi Gürocak Ö (July 1, 2026) Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40 3 301–316.

IEEE

[1]S. Okur Acar, D. Kızmazoğlu, and Ö. Tüfekçi Gürocak, “Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers”, Dev Exp Health Med, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 301–316, July 2026, doi: 10.18614/dehm.1955635.

ISNAD

Okur Acar, Sultan - Kızmazoğlu, Deniz - Tüfekçi Gürocak, Özlem. “Targeted Therapies in Pediatric Cancers”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine 40/3 (July 1, 2026): 301-316. https://doi.org/10.18614/dehm.1955635.

JAMA

1.Okur Acar S, Kızmazoğlu D, Tüfekçi Gürocak Ö. Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026;40:301–316.

MLA

Okur Acar, Sultan, et al. “Targeted Therapies in Pediatric Cancers”. Developments and Experiments in Health and Medicine, vol. 40, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 301-16, doi:10.18614/dehm.1955635.

Vancouver

1.Sultan Okur Acar, Deniz Kızmazoğlu, Özlem Tüfekçi Gürocak. Targeted therapies in pediatric cancers. Dev Exp Health Med. 2026 Jul. 1;40(3):301-16. doi:10.18614/dehm.1955635