Big progress in childhood cancer research doesn’t happen overnight—and it never happens alone.
That’s why we’re thrilled to share some incredible news: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new treatment option for adolescents and adults with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma. This decision brings new hope to young people facing this diagnosis—and it’s a powerful example of how research, collaboration, and community support come together to change lives.
What’s the Breakthrough?
The FDA recently approved the use of nivolumab (Opdivo) in combination with chemotherapy for patients ages 12 and older with Stage III or IV classical Hodgkin lymphoma.
In simpler terms:
This means teens diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma now have access to a promising new frontline treatment—one that has been shown to improve outcomes compared to previous approaches.
Why This Matters for Kids and Teens
Historically, many cancer treatments are first developed for adults, with younger patients gaining access later—if at all. But this approval is different.
Because adolescents were included in the clinical trial that led to this approval, the FDA was able to extend this treatment to patients as young as 12 right away.
That’s a big deal.
It means more young people can benefit sooner from therapies that are not only effective, but carefully studied for their age group.
The Research Behind the Approval
This approval was based on a large clinical trial known as S1826, which compared two different treatment approaches for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma.
The results showed that patients receiving nivolumab in combination with standard chemotherapy had better outcomes—helping to slow or stop the progression of disease more effectively.
Even more importantly, adolescents were a meaningful part of this study—making up nearly a quarter of participants.
That kind of representation doesn’t happen by chance.
The Role of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG)
This breakthrough was made possible by the work of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG)—the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.
COG brings together more than 13,500 experts across 200+ institutions worldwide, all working toward the same goal: finding better treatments and cures for kids with cancer.
S1826 was run by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), which is one of the four NCI-funded clinical trial groups. Adolescents were able to be part of S1826 because COG worked with SWOG to make this study happen.
In the U.S., 80% of children and teens diagnosed with cancer are treated at a COG-affiliated hospital. That means most young patients have access to cutting-edge clinical trials as part of their care.
And those trials? They’re how progress happens.
Where St. Baldrick’s Support Comes In
Clinical trials are essential—but they’re also expensive.
On average, it costs about $12,000 to treat a child on a clinical trial, and traditional funding doesn’t cover the full cost. That’s where St. Baldrick’s supporters step in.
Thanks to donors, fundraisers, and volunteers like you, St. Baldrick’s helps bridge this funding gap—making it possible for more kids and teens to participate in lifesaving research.
In fact, St. Baldrick’s is the largest non-government funder of the Children’s Oncology Group.
That support helped make trials like S1826 possible.
And that means you helped make this moment possible.
“St. Baldrick’s had a critical role in making S1826 successful by providing supplemental funding to hundreds of COG institutions to support the cost of the research. This meant that adolescents were able to participate in the study no matter where they lived and the study finished ahead of schedule with faster release of study results than anticipated.” -Doug Hawkins, M.D., COG Group Chair
From Clinical Trial to Standard of Care
This FDA approval is more than just a milestone—it’s a real-world example of how research turns into results.
Because of this study:
- A new, more effective treatment option is now available
- Adolescents were included from the start—not left behind
- Families facing Hodgkin lymphoma have more hope than ever before
The Ripple Effect of Your Impact
Every dollar raised. Every head shaved. Every fundraiser organized. Every donation given.
It all adds up to moments like this.
Moments where a clinical trial becomes a new standard of care.
Moments where more children get access to better treatments.
Moments where hope becomes something real and tangible.
This is the power of your support.
We’re Not Done Yet
While this news is worth celebrating, there is still more work to do. Some childhood cancers remain difficult to treat, and too many families are still waiting for breakthroughs of their own.
But today, we celebrate progress—and the community that made it possible.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for funding research. And thank you for helping us move closer to a world where every child survives cancer.
Breakthroughs like this start with you—donate today to help fund the next lifesaving discovery.
