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The first meeting of the proposed national cooperative group to conduct clinical trials and research in pediatric oncology in our country was held on 17th September 2008 at Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi. It was sponsored partly by ICMR and partly by the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department of Sir Gangaram Hospital through the good offices of Dr Anupam Sachdev, the President of the PHO Chapter. |
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It was attended by 23 members of the PHO chapter. |
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In the deliberations that followed, it was decided to name the group InPOG – Indian Pediatric Oncology Group. The objectives and the mission statement of InPOG were defined. The rules for individual and institutional membership of InPOG were laid down. The Executive group was defined and its role was spelt out. Potential sources of funding were discussed. An interim team was proposed to carry on the activities of InPOG till the first executive group could be elected. Dr Anupam Sachdev, Dr Bharat Agarwal, Dr Anupama Borker and Dr Satyaprakash Yadav would constitute this team. |
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Indian Pediatric Oncology Group (InPOG) |
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Background: |
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The cure rates for most childhood cancers have improved from less than 10-20% in the early sixties to over 60% -80% by 2000.This improvement in the last 4-5 decades can be attributed to several factors. Better understanding of the nature of the disease and the tremendous improvement in supportive care including the availability of more potent antibiotics , advances in blood component therapy, use of central venous access devices have all contributed to this success. |
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Equally important has been the establishment of national and international co-operative groups. These groups treat large number of patients on research protocols. New protocols are designed with the aim of improvising on the results of previous protocols. This has enabled us to study systematically and scientifically various factors-related to patients, their disease and their treatment – that influence outcome. Thus every few years a new protocol can be designed to improve on the results of the previous one. |
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The advantages of treating oncology patients on clinical trials and research protocols have been very well established. Treating patients on clinical trials needs discipline and dedication. The detailed documentation needed results in precise information, which in turn can be used for further improvisation. |
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