The pediatric oncology study coordination nurse plays a central role in harmonizing the project. Whether acting as a link with patients and their families, doctors, laboratory staff or the various hospital departments, as well as with pharmaceutical companies, she is an indispensable pawn.

The Clinical Trials Centre of the Oncology Department at University Children's Hospital Zurich is home to Switzerland's largest early-phase clinical trials unit in pediatric oncology.

The unit provides access to new drugs for Swiss children with relapsed and refractory cancer for whom no effective conventional therapy (such as chemotherapy) is available.

Patients receive drugs that are not yet on the market. They are therefore not available to children, except as part of clinical studies. This is the case, for example, with the INFORM2 NivEnt study, funded by Zoé4life.

These studies involve highly complex organizational procedures. While following a specific study protocol, the tasks are in fact more than substantial:

• Preparing patient visits
• Specialized examinations
• Monitoring patient condition and side effects
• Harmonization of all treatment-related documentation for both medical staff and families
• Centralization of data such as diagnosis and test results

What's more, these treatments can be a challenge for families. Especially when it comes to organizing travel, accommodation, and following a complex schedule of visits with their child. The coordinating nurse is with the families every step of the way.