A phase I study of intravenous liposomal daunorubicin (DaunoXome) in paediatric patients with relapsed or resistant solid tumours.

Anthracyclines are widely used in paediatric oncology, but their use is limited by the risk of cumulative cardiac toxicity. Encapsulating anthracyclines in liposomes may reduce cardiac toxicity and possibly increase drug availability to tumours. A phase I study in paediatric patients was designed to establish the dose limiting toxicity (DLT) and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) after a single course of liposomal daunorubicin, 'DaunoXome', as a 1 h infusion on day 1 of a 21 day cycle.

European collaboration in trials of new agents for children with cancer.

Childhood cancer is a relatively rare disease, representing just 1% of all malignancies. Within Europe, this represents some 12,000 new cases each year, with approximately 1600 a year in the United Kingdom and 1800 in France. International collaboration in phase III trials of childhood cancer has been the norm for many years, traditionally within Europe, but, largely because of organisational considerations, phase I and II trials have only been conducted on a national basis.

Application of the NMR-MOUSE to food emulsions.

The application of the NMR-MObile Universal Surface Explorer (NMR-MOUSE) to study food systems is evaluated using oil-in-water emulsions, and the results are compared to those obtained using a conventional low-field NMR (LF-NMR) instrument. The NMR-MOUSE is a small and portable LF-NMR system with a one-sided magnet layout that is used to replace the conventional magnet and probe on a LF-NMR instrument. The high magnetic field gradients associated with the one-sided MOUSE magnet result in NMR signal decays being dominated by molecular diffusion effects, which makes it possible to discriminate between the NMR signals from oil and water.

Recruiting children into cancer trials--role of the United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG).

The UK Children's Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG), established in 1977, provides a highly organised structure for both service provision and research, and represents the model to which the adult cancer community is currently aspiring. Since childhood cancer is so rare, it is both essential and feasible for the vast majority of children to be referred into the network of specialist centres, and also for the maximum number of children to be recruited into national and international clinical trials. Over the last 30-40 years there have been major advances in treatment, such that now approximately 70% of children diagnosed with cancer will be cured of their disease.

Ethical approval for multicentre clinical trials in children. Contrasting systems in three European countries.

Pan-European collaboration in studies of novel therapies and treatment strategies in childhood cancer is playing an increasing role in the attempt to improve cure rates. Differences in the systems of various countries with regard to drug control and ethical issues may lead to problems and delays. This applies in particular to phase I/II studies in children where the ethical considerations may be complex.