U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today released this statement on passage of a bill to reauthorize the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), which includes language critical to fighting pediatric cancer. The FDA reauthorization (H.R. 2430) includes H.R. 1231, RACE for Children Act, which Davis is a cosponsor, to ensure research on adult cancer drugs using molecular targeting are also researched for pediatric use.
“Since 1990, only ten drugs have been developed to treat pediatric cancer, compared to more than 200 for adults,” said Davis. “As we continue to refine research in treating adult cancers, it’s imperative we research the effectiveness and safety of these potentially life-saving treatments on children. The RACE for Children Act is a critical step in the fight against pediatric cancer and I urge the Senate to take up this important bill soon.”
Because most cancer drugs are optimized for adults, children who survive their battle with cancer are highly susceptible to secondary cancers or organ failure. Ninety-five percent of childhood cancer survivors will develop chronic health conditions. Advances in cancer research have moved away from chemotherapy, which targets specific areas of the body, to molecular targeted treatments, which target specific genes and proteins. H.R. 1231 updates the law to ensure these medical advances are researched for pediatric cancer.
Davis has fought to make pediatric cancer a national priority. More on his efforts:
