News

Mentorship Opportunity from the PENTEC Steering Committee

Posted by Maya Aleksandrova | March 23, 2026 - 16:09

 

The PENTEC (Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic) Steering Committee is offering to provide guidance to young investigators interested in studying aspects of long-term adverse normal tissue effects following pediatric radiation therapy. The goal of this initiative is to assist investigators in developing research projects with strong potential for successful implementation.

 

Potential investigations may include:

• Retrospective or prospective studies
• Concepts that are not yet fully defined
• Single-institutional or multi-institutional projects (e.g., collaborations involving the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort or the CCSS – Childhood Cancer Survivor Study)
• Projects that may or may not currently have identified funding sources

 

A list of possible endpoints can be downloaded here. These endpoints have been preliminarily scored by the PENTEC group based on their estimated significance. However, the committee welcomes discussions about any research idea investigators may wish to pursue, including initiatives aimed at establishing a late-effects research program.

 

For many endpoints, significant knowledge gaps remain, including limited data on:

• Quantitative radiation dose–response relationships
• Time to onset of late effects
• Whether effects plateau, continue to progress, or improve over time
• Age-related influences
• Interactions with systemic therapies, including emerging immunobiologic agents

 

The PENTEC Steering Committee strongly recommends that investigators engage a local experienced mentor to participate in the project. The committee will aim to provide guidance to both the young investigator and their local mentor.

 

Investigators interested in learning more are encouraged to contact:

Louis S. Constine, MD

louis_constine@urmc.rochester.edu

 

Laura Finger

laura_finger@urmc.rochester.edu

 

To assist interested investigators, please download the PENTEC Introduction and User’s Guide.

 

Additional resources:

RED Journal PENTEC Issue:

PENTEC Website

 

The PENTEC Steering Committee looks forward to supporting the development of new research initiatives in this important area.