Cancer Breakthrough

Xuexia "Helen" Wang (Photo by Michael Clements)Biostatistics professor Xuexia "Helen" Wang is using statistics to determine the best treatment for pediatric cancer patients and prevent future health problems. After gaining access to medical records of pediatric cancer patients and several hospitals, Wang identified a gene that can determine whether a child treated with chemotherapy might later develop cardiomyopathy, or if a child treated with radiation could be at risk for secondary tumor formation. She says it could lead to new medication or pre-screening so doctors may use different therapies or drugs for those at risk.