What We're Reading: Promoting Pediatric Cancer Research; Mystery Paralysis; Cost of Being Sick

FDA Highlights Targets for Pediatric Cancer Research

Drug development for pediatric cancer has lagged behind the development of drugs for adults, and the FDA is promoting targets to increase drug development for pediatric cancers. According to the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society, the FDA has developed 2 lists with molecular targets. One list includes molecular targets that could contribute to at least 1 pediatric cancer. The second list identifies new drugs in development that would be exempt from requirements of pediatric cancer studies. There are 205 targets with 62 that target a gene abnormality, 40 that target a cell lineage determinant, and only 5 eligible for waivers.

Kids in 22 States Affected by Mystery Paralysis

There have been at least 62 cases in 2018 of children who have been affected by a rare paralyzing illness. The Associated Press reported that the CDC hasn’t found the cause, but that there has been a pattern of cases every other year, with similar waves in 2014 and 2016. The majority of children have experienced muscle weakness or paralysis after a fever and respiratory illness. Polio and West Nile virus have been ruled out, and most kids recover.

Survey Examines Cost of Being Sick

A recent survey has found that health insurance has failed in its basic function of protecting people from financial ruin in case of costly health issues. One-third of the most seriously ill people in the United States in the survey had spent all or most of their savings while sick, according to The New York Times. Respondents had been hospitalized twice in the last 2 years and had seen at least 3 doctors. More than 20% with insurance had trouble paying for basic necessities, and 13% had to borrow money. The survey also found family members who are not sick also feel financial strain.