Sara Federico, MD

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common pediatric cancers in children under one year of age. Approximately half of those diagnosed have high-risk disease, which is more difficult to treat. I use clinical experience combined with laboratory-based translational research discoveries to develop novel treatment strategies that stand to increase the survival rates for children with high-risk neuroblastoma and other solid tumors. 

Though great strides have been made in advancing the survival rates for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, approximately 50% of these children still succumb to this cancer. I am focused on identifying and optimizing treatment strategies, such as chemoimmunotherapy, to improve early response and outcomes in children with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma and relapsed disease. Through correlative studies with lab-based scientists I seek to identify biomarkers of response for potential incorporation into future clinical trials. Ultimately, our group would like to make these treatments, and the reagents necessary for caring for pediatric cancer patients, accessible to pediatric care teams around the world. 

High-risk sarcomas

I also work to identify therapeutics for metastatic and relapsed sarcomas and to incorporate new agents into clinical trials. In this space I enjoy collaborating with basic scientists and translational researchers to identify vulnerabilities in sarcomas, such as Ewing sarcoma, and move promising therapeutics into clinical trials. Pairing the knowledge gained from laboratory-based translational discoveries with clinical perspective allows us to develop novel therapies for recurrent or refractory disease, thereby advancing the standard of care and increasing survival rates.