Four-year-old Maxi Catania beats rare leukemia as WA funds new child-cancer research

When Maxi Catania, then three, developed a high fever and unexplained bruising, doctors eventually diagnosed her with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a fast-moving subtype of acute myeloid leukemia. She endured nine months of harsh chemotherapy, including arsenic-based regimens that caused severe side effects, before achieving remission and starting kindergarten in February. Her family credits the high-quality care at Princess Margaret Hospital and the broader research ecosystem for her recovery.

On Tuesday, the Cook Labor Government and Channel 7 Telethon Trust announced a joint commitment of more than $4 million to fund seven child-health research initiatives through the WA Child Research Fund. Minister Stephen Dawson noted the fund has delivered about $50 million across 160 projects since 2012. Among the new awards, Dr Sebastien Malinge at the University of Western Australia will pursue immunotherapy aimed at targeting myeloid leukemia cells with reduced toxicity, offering a potentially less harmful alternative to conventional chemotherapy. The funding underscores the importance of continued medical research for improving outcomes for children with rare cancers.