Expanding the Horizons of Supportive Care in Pediatric Oncology: Integrating Physical Rehabilitation and Nutrition

In the field of pediatric oncology, supportive care is undergoing an evolution, emphasizing lifestyle-based interventions such as physical activity and nutrition. Although physical rehabilitation is recognized as an effective adjunct therapy in adult oncology, its application in pediatric patients is still underdeveloped due to the unique challenges of smaller patient cohorts, age-specific cancer biology, and the complexities of conducting research in this sensitive population. At present, the survival rate of children and adolescents with cancer surpasses 85% in high-income countries. While this increase in survival rates is encouraging, it also brings a focus on improving the quality of life during and after treatment. Long-term effects like fatigue, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders, and psychological strain highlight the critical need for preventive measures in the form of integrated supportive care strategies.

Emerging studies underscore that physical rehabilitation and strategic nutritional support can significantly ease the burden of these long-term effects. Even amidst active treatments like chemotherapy, research indicates that exercise is not only safe but beneficial, especially for adolescents who are developing autonomy and establishing lifelong health behaviors. While nutrition is acknowledged as a vital element of supportive care, comprehensive evidence-based guidelines are still lacking, emphasizing the urgency of advancing research in pediatric settings. Examinations of underlying biological mechanisms, such as exercise's potential to boost immunological responses during the rise of immunotherapies, point towards promising avenues for intervention. Nonetheless, the field lacks standardized guidelines, systematic exercise programs, and robust implementation frameworks akin to those in adult oncology, necessitating further exploration.

This Research Topic aims to solidify the empirical foundation for incorporating physical rehabilitation and nutrition throughout the pediatric cancer experience, from diagnosis to long-term survivorship. To gather further insights into this expansive field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Intervention studies focusing on physical, psychological, immunological, or metabolic outcomes.
• Research utilizing technology to bolster adherence to rehabilitation protocols.
• Investigations into implementation challenges and facilitators.
• Perspectives on rehabilitation from patients, families, and healthcare providers.
• Studies targeted at underserved populations, including those in low- and middle-income nations.
• Research on long-term outcomes and late effects in childhood cancer survivors.

Our goal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and establish best practices that ensure not only survival but a holistic sense of well-being for pediatric cancer patients.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Supportive Care, Physical Rehabilitation, Pediatric Oncology, Nutritional Interventions, Long-term Survivorship.

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.