This September, families, caregivers, non-profits, and researchers across the U.S. observe Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In the U.S, over 15,000 children a year under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer and approximately 12 percent of them will not survive the disease. While there has been progress, childhood cancers are very challenging. Children’s cancers cannot be treated exactly as adult cancers are treated given children’s development, the toxicity of current treatments as well as having different types of cancers. Childhood cancers may be biologically different from the adult cancer of the same diagnosis. The good news, however, is that the childhood cancers are uncommon, accounting for 1 percent of cancers diagnosed overall in the U.S.
The Challenges with Childhood Cancers
There are multiple factors in the challenges inherent in childhood cancer research. The causes of the majority of childhood cancers are still unknown. Sadly, only 4 percent of federal funding supports pediatric cancer research. A small percentage of childhood cancers can be linked to genetic abnormalities, exposure to radiation or infectious agents and toxic chemicals. Exposures are difficult to pinpoint, which makes prevention of childhood cancers difficult. Multiple studies have been unable to conclude any definitive causes by the more common environmental toxins. While there is less incidence of childhood cancers when compared to adult cancers, one case is still too many. Since there is a decreased prevalence, it is a greater challenge to enroll patients in clinical trials in a timely manner and requires large collaboration among pediatric cancer research centers. A strong national clinical research program with ongoing clinical trials with sufficient numbers of participants is critical to advancing understanding of this disease. Lastly, the types of cancers children develop generally differ from those in adults, and childhood cancers have fewer genetic alterations and often lack genetic targets for treatments that have been developed and approved for adult cancers. The very same drugs used for adults may not be able to be used for children, as signaling pathways that can be inhibited by some of these drugs are essential for the normal development of children.
An Invaluable Community Resource
Dr. Alan Ikeda is the Chief Medical Officer for the Cure 4 The Kids Foundation (C4TK). C4TK, a partner of Roseman University of Health Sciences, has treated more than 50,000 patients since its inception in 2007. Every day, roughly 100 patients cross the threshold of the Breakthrough building on Roseman’s Summerlin Campus, stand next to the calming waters of the water wall, and proceed up to the third floor to meet with the team at C4TK. There they will likely meet with Dr. Ikeda, a calm and warm presence. Dr. Ikeda joined the Foundation in 2011 and is board certified in both pediatrics and pediatric hematology oncology. He received his MD from the John A Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he also completed his residency, after which he went on to complete his fellowship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. His research interests had focused on stem cell transplants as well as cell and gene therapies, prior to relocating to Las Vegas.
The Journey and the Destination
Dr. Ikeda grew up in the small valley of Pauoa on Oahu, where he played at the park, the river and in the mountains. This idyllic setting was against the backdrop of strict but loving parents who worked hard to make ends meet. As his undergraduate Liberal Studies came to a close, one school counselor whom he hardly knew made a recommendation that would change the course of his life. The counselor advised that he go to medical school, and so he remained in state at the University of Hawaii to complete medical school and his residency. His educational journey included stops in a triple board program that included Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Pediatric Psychiatry. As he honed in on working with children with life-threatening illnesses, a turn on California’s famed 405 freeway took him to UCLA, in a different direction, literally and figuratively, where he ultimately focused in on Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.
After some years in LA, Dr. Ikeda transitioned to C4TK, where he could focus on bedside clinical care. Dr. Ikeda describes his time at C4TK as “a wonderful adventure, with a lot of hard work. Every year the organization improves and the progress and improvement result in better and safer care for our community.” Dr. Ikeda may see up to 15-25 patients a day, and adds to that administrative work, meetings, and clinical research. When considering the newly formed partnership between Roseman and C4TK, Dr. Ikeda is both excited for the current collaboration and imagines the future potential of further collaborations. He hopes to one day see cancer researchers take bench research ideas and translate them to the bedside for his patients. With a busy schedule and demanding work, Dr. Ikeda works to practice self-care in his own way.
Once a “gym rat” and a wrestling, football, track and field and Judo athlete, today Dr. Ikeda tries to swim and bike to release tension and get outside. Two young daughters keep him active and music provides a creative outlet for him. Dr. Ikeda is known to play ‘ukulele for his patients, and currently he is in a Reggae band working on a small Christmas album. Proceeds of the sale of the album by Rydmik Healing will go to C4TK.
Looking Ahead with Hope
It seems quite extraordinary that someone so engaged in his work, life, the community and family has time to dream and think about the future. While his dream would be to eradicate cancer and the suffering and pain that comes with it, Dr. Ikeda’s immediate goal is to see more clinicians and physician scientists move into Las Vegas. “There is no reason that Las Vegas should not have a robust center to help progress research in the field of Pediatric Cancer that keeps us on the cutting edge of medical technology…the second we become complacent, the world will pass us by. With building programs comes new awareness.” There seems to be no better face of advocacy, empathy, and quality care than that of Dr. Ikeda. This month of Childhood Cancer Awareness, we give thanks for the ongoing dedication and hard work of Dr. Ikeda.
Author
Vanessa Maniago
Special Advisor to the President
Roseman University of Health Sciences