Miranda’s Journey: How Targeted Treatment Brought Hope and Stability to a Young Child’s Cancer Battle

Oak Children and Young People’s Drug Development Unit

When Lauren’s daughter, Miranda was just 18 months old, she was diagnosed with a glioma.

“We noticed that just as she started to seem to be ready to crawl, one of her legs didn’t really seem to kick around as much and she was losing strength.” said Lauren “It was a shock and lots of things run through your mind. It was a very tough time.”

She underwent surgery at King’s College Hospital, which despite being an overall success, did not lead to the complete removal of the tumour due to its sensitive location. Miranda was then referred to The Royal Marsden where she underwent 18 months of chemotherapy in the Oak Cancer Centre for Children and Young People.  

“The tumour hadn’t been reduced further by chemotherapy” said Lauren, “You're still stuck with the concern that the tumour is still there, but Miranda was given the opportunity to be on a trial which gave us a way forward and another option.”

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Miranda enrolled onto a trial run by the Oak Children and Young People’s Drug Development Unit called Larotrectinib (TRK inhibitor), under the care of Consultant Paediatric Oncologist, Dr Lynley Marshall. The trial involves Miranda being given the targeted cancer drug to slow or stop the growth of the tumour. “Miranda’s tumour is gene specific, and it was the ‘right’ kind to be on the trial,” said Lauren.

Being on the trial and taking the medication soon became part of their normal routine, with Miranda reporting back to The Royal Marsden once a month. Miranda, now 9 years old, has been on the trial for nearly 6 years and after initially shrinking, the tumour has now remained stable for a number of years.  ‍

“Miranda being on the trial has given us this stability, because we know she’s being monitored, and we can just get on with other things and living life.” Said Lauren. “She’s really into arts and crafts and she enjoys playing on the Xbox with her brother too. She’s a happy little girl”

“We have a very deep respect for all of the people at The Royal Marsden. Everyone is very helpful, very thoughtful and kind.”

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