The PODC Committee

Although SIOP has been involved in the development of paediatric oncology in the less affluent countries for a long time, the Committee on Developing Countries (PODC Committee) was officially structured in 1998 and has the goal to further develop paediatric oncology in the developing countries.

The PODC Committee consists of 12 core committee members elected by the Board, over 60 consultants and the continental presidents. All members of SIOP interested in PODC can become consultant (send applications to the chairman of the PODC Committee). The PODC Committee meets once a year, at the Annual SIOP congress. The meeting is open to all congress participants.

The activities carried out by SIOP under the co-ordination of the PODC Committee are:

• Twinning
• Collaborative Research Projects
• Clinical Trials
• Exchange Programmes
• Scholarships
• Educational Programmes
• Sponsoring of Local Meetings
• Symposia and Workshops
• Contacts and Interactions with national and international, governmental and non-governmental agencies

Selected actual projects and activities

-The Indian National Training Project "Practical Pediatric Oncology": Up to the end of 2000 over 450 pediatric postgraduates, pediatricians and pediatric surgeons were trained in 2-day courses throughout the country. By informing on the curability of childhood cancer and basic training in pediatric oncology, early diagnosis and referal as well as participation in shared care is promoted.

-The SIOP's Burkitt's Lymphoma Studies in Malawi:Goals:As much survival as possible with a minimum of toxicity and low costs (<1000 US$/patient):

a) In the prospective SIOP Pilot Study with an LMB-89-reduced protocol 45 stage I-III children have been treated at a total cost of <1000US$ per child. The long-term survival is 55%.

b) In the prospective SIOP Pilot Study with 2xCOP,2xCOMP for all stages 30 of planned 50 children were entered from August 2000-July 2001;

c) In a retrospective study of cyclophosphamide as monotherapy 47/100 (44%)are alive at a median of 64 months,37/107 died and 23/107 could not be traced.

d) A prospective study with cyclophosphamide monotherapy will start in 2002

-The SIOP/SOBO pediatric oncology nuses program in Blantyre, Malawi started September 2000 and will run for 3 years.-The Botswana/Johannesburg training program for pediatric oncologists and nurses started in February 2001

-The promotion of the Saint Siluan Warning Signs for Cancer in Children started in 2000

-Cooperation with the:

a) Groupe Franco-Africain d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (GFAOP)                          
b) International Consortium for Cure of Childhood Cancer in China (CURE)       
c) Global Alliance for Cure of Childhood Cancer (GACCC)                              
d) International Network for Cancer Treatment and Research (INCTR)            
e) International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parent Organizations (ICCCPO)                                                                                           
f) Monza International School of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (MISPHO)
g) American Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (ASPHO)              
h) European Society of Pediatric Hematology and Immunology (ESPHI)

-Contributions (Foreign Faculty) to the First International Seminar and CME Programme on Pediatric Hematology and Oncology held in Dakka and Chittagong, Bangladesh, February 23-27,2001.

-Publication of "International Notes", a Forum for PODC in MPO