In Switzerland, around 350 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year. Each diagnosis affects not only the child, but also the entire family. Although childhood cancer is rare, it remains one of the leading causes of death among children and young people. The types of tumors differ significantly from those seen in adults and therefore require specialized research as well as individually tailored treatments.
Thanks to major advances in research, more than 80% of children with cancer can now be cured. However, the treatments are often intensive and taxing: because their bodies are still developing, children are particularly sensitive to chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapies. As a result, many survivors experience long-term effects that can affect their health for years to come.
This is precisely why targeted, specialized research remains essential. Only by gaining a deeper understanding of the causes, developing new therapeutic approaches, and making existing treatments less burdensome can we achieve lasting improvements. The goal is not only to cure the disease, but also to ensure the highest possible quality of life after treatment.
The Swiss Cancer Research foundation is firmly committed to this area. In 2025, more than 10% of its funding was allocated to research projects in pediatric cancer research. Below, we highlight four selected research projects.
