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Receiving a cancer diagnosis for a child is devasting for any parent.  

In December 2020, Janet and Giuseppe faced this heart-wrenching reality when their six-year-old son, Nicholas, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.  

Nicholas initially underwent ten months of intensive chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. During this time, he spent eight months at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW). Following his discharge, he spent an additional six months at home in isolation to protect his vulnerable immune system.  

However, in November of 2023, a routine biopsy revealed that Nicholasâ€� cancer had returned, marking the beginning of a challenging new chapter in his journey.  

“We were blindsided,â€� Janet said, “The relapse was a massive setback. For Nicholas to have to go through it all again, after everything he had already endured - it was absolutely devastating.â€�  

With limited options available, precision medicine stood out as an exciting development, offering a hopeful path forward for Nicholas and his family. 

By carefully measuring the chemotherapy doses during Nicholasâ€� second bone marrow transplant, teams in CHW’s world-leading pharmacokinetics lab were able to ensure he received the correct amount to effectively target, and hopefully, cure his leukaemia.  

This was especially crucial following Nicholasâ€� intensive treatment for his first diagnosis, with the precise dosing helping to minimise the risk of excessive side effects and giving him a better chance at recovery. 

“The research that we are doing in the pharmacokinetic space where we are measuring chemotherapy and adjusting doses in real time, is bench to bedside research,â€� Madeleine Powys, Consultant in Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy, said. 

“It makes a significant difference in cancer care, making our treatments better and safer.â€� 

For Nicholas, the new approach to treatment allowed him to regain his sense of normalcy sooner â€� something his family continue to be grateful for. 

“Madeleine was amazing. She involved me in Nicholasâ€� care, and together we worked as a team. Whatever my family needed, the team did everything they could to provide it,â€� Janet said.  

“She came to check on me every day, it made my day just seeing her face,â€� Nicholas said. 

With the support of , ongoing research will continue to focus on improving treatments to increase survival for paediatric cancer patients.  

“We not only want to cure our patients but also ensure they can grow up to lead long, healthy lives with minimal toxicity from their treatment. Reducing the toxicities of our therapies is essential to making treatments kinder for the children who need them,â€� Madeleine said. 

Now cancer free, Nicholas returns to clinic once a month for follow-up appointments to monitor him for any potential long-term side effects from the treatment he received. He is back in school, reconnecting with friends and playing soccer again. 

“Nicholas is doing really well and has returned to his vibrant, energetic self. Throughout the challenges he has faced over the past four years, he has persevered and truly inspired us all,â€� Janet said.  

“I am feeling great,â€� Nicholas said. “The best ever!â€�