Research Interests
Professor Pearson has a longstanding record of developing new therapeutic approaches for neuroblastoma. Currently he has a particular interest in the development of therapeutics targeting the oncogene MYCN and angiogenesis in neuroblastoma. The central hypothesis of his work is that the optimised development and introduction of molecularly targeted drugs, selected based on molecular pathology and efficacy in genetically-engineered murine cancer models (GEMM), employing predictive (for patient enrichment) and pharmacodynamic biomarkers will be a more effective approach compared to empirical chemotherapy in the therapy of high risk neuroblastoma. This will constitute a personalised cancer medicine approach for neuroblastoma.
A further objective of Professor Pearson is to ensure a seamless transition of molecularly targeted therapeutics into later phase studies conducted by national and international groups. His goal is provide therapeutics to the Novel Agents Sub Group of the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia (CCL) Clinical Studies Group (CSG) of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), the Paediatric Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre (ECMC), the European Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) consortium and the International Society Paediatric Oncology European Neuroblastoma Group (SIOPEN) for evaluation in large cohort of children.
One of Professor Pearson’s goals is form a conduit for new agents developed in the Cancer Therapeutic Unit of the ICR into paediatrics.
Professor Pearson leads the Paediatric Drug Development Unit, at the Oak Centre for Children and Young People at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. In the Oak Centre there are four dedicated beds and chairs for early clinical studies; an adjacent dedicated laboratory for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic samples and suites for receiving experimental radio-isotope treatment. Professor Pearson has established a multidisciplinary team with significant expertise in the execution of early clinical trials in children to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and there now is an increasing portfolio of ‘first in child’ studies in the Unit.
Professor Pearson and Professor Susan Cohn of Chicago have led the development of the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system and are co-chairs of the INRG. The INRG has changed the way that neuroblastomas are staged and hence how patients are treated world-wide. Moreover, INRG has provided best evidence-based risk stratification to guide new clinical trials across the globe. In addition consensus documents have been published from the INRG Task Force. Professors Pearson and Cohn are currently working to develop a second INRG; to do this a web-based Interactive INRG Database Network with technology that will support the linkage of INRG patient information with host and tumour biological data in biobank databases is being developed.
