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Neuroblastoma expert reviews progress and challenges in fighting difficult pediatric cancer
June 25, 2007Childhood cancers are fortunately rare, but among them, neuroblastoma is a special case, accounting for 7 percent of all childhood cancers, but 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths. It typically occurs as a solid tumor in the abdomen, but also in the neck, chest, and pelvis, developing in the network of the body's sympathetic nervous system.
Neuroblastoma is what physicians call a heterogeneous disease; its name includes subtypes of disease that behave very differently. Some cases strike in infants, but spontaneously disappear with minimal treatment, while other cases in older children may be relentlessly aggressive from the start. So precisely defining a given patient's risk level can help oncologists design the best treatment, avoiding the twin pitfalls of undertreating or overtreating any given child.
Better treatments may be on the horizon, but better understanding of neuroblastoma's precise biology can guide physicians to the best choices among possible options.
John Maris, M.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, describes the current status of neuroblastoma treatment and trends for the near future, in the June 23 issue of the British journal Lancet. Maris is among the world leaders in neuroblastoma research, with a lab holding tissue samples from 5,000 patients--the world's largest sample collection for the disease.
In his paper, Maris reviews new approaches to treatments for a particularly challenging set of patients--children whose neuroblastoma has relapsed in an aggressive form. One particular technique being used and studied at Children's Hospital employs radioactive isotopes that zero in on neuroblastoma cells to selectively kill those cells with radiation. Other tools include retinoids--biological molecules that hone in on cancer cells, angiogenesis inhibitors that cut off a tumor's blood supply, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors that interrupt a critical step in the tumor's growth process.
"These approaches are targeted therapies--aimed in highly selective ways at cancer cells, but sparing healthy cells," said Maris. "But in order to best guide us to the most appropriate treatments, we need greater understanding of the abnormal biological events that give rise to neuroblastoma." One crucial technique for identifying biological pathways is through studies of the gene mutations and variations involved in different types of neuroblastoma, and Maris's team is calling on the sophisticated gene-hunting facilities at the new Center for Applied Genomics at Children's Hospital to advance that knowledge.
"Our goal is to match the most appropriate treatment with precise molecular targets in biological pathways, so we can intervene to stop neuroblastoma in its tracks," said Maris.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
John Maris, M.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, describes the current status of neuroblastoma treatment and trends for the near future, in the June 23 issue of the British journal Lancet. Maris is among the world leaders in neuroblastoma research, with a lab holding tissue samples from 5,000 patients--the world's largest sample collection for the disease.
In his paper, Maris reviews new approaches to treatments for a particularly challenging set of patients--children whose neuroblastoma has relapsed in an aggressive form. One particular technique being used and studied at Children's Hospital employs radioactive isotopes that zero in on neuroblastoma cells to selectively kill those cells with radiation. Other tools include retinoids--biological molecules that hone in on cancer cells, angiogenesis inhibitors that cut off a tumor's blood supply, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors that interrupt a critical step in the tumor's growth process.
"These approaches are targeted therapies--aimed in highly selective ways at cancer cells, but sparing healthy cells," said Maris. "But in order to best guide us to the most appropriate treatments, we need greater understanding of the abnormal biological events that give rise to neuroblastoma." One crucial technique for identifying biological pathways is through studies of the gene mutations and variations involved in different types of neuroblastoma, and Maris's team is calling on the sophisticated gene-hunting facilities at the new Center for Applied Genomics at Children's Hospital to advance that knowledge.
"Our goal is to match the most appropriate treatment with precise molecular targets in biological pathways, so we can intervene to stop neuroblastoma in its tracks," said Maris.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Neuroblastoma Current Events and Neuroblastoma News RSSResearchers Identify Role of Gene in Tumor Development, Growth and Progression
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.
Weizmann Institute Scientists Discover A New Protein Partnership That Leads to Pediatric Tumor Regression
Why are some pediatric cancers able to spontaneously regress? Prof. Michael Fainzilber and his team of the Weizmann Institute's Biological Chemistry Department seem to have unexpectedly found part of the answer.
PET Can Help Guide Treatment Decisions for a Common Pediatric Cancer
A new study published in the August issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine shows that positron emission tomography (PET) is an important tool for depicting the extent of neuroblastoma in some patients, particularly for those in the early stages of the disease.
Protein That Promotes Cancer Cell Growth Identified
Scientists at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) have found that the Caspase-8 protein, long known to play a major role in promoting programmed cell death (apoptosis), helps relay signals that can cause cancer cells to proliferate, migrate and invade surrounding tissues.
U of M Researchers Find Childhood Cancer Risk Rises with Mother's Age
Research from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota indicates that a baby born to an older mother may have a slightly increased risk for many of the cancers that occur during childhood.
Variations in 5 genes raise risk for most common brain tumors
Common genetic variations spread across five genes raise a person's risk of developing the most frequent type of brain tumor, an international research team reports online in Nature Genetics.
Genetic finding could lead to targeted therapy for neuroblastoma
Researchers have identified a genetic glitch that could lead to development of neuroblastoma, a deadly form of cancer that typically strikes children under 2.
Researchers identify gene that regulates tumors in neuroblastoma
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified a gene that may play a key role in regulating tumor progression in neuroblastoma, a form of cancer usually found in young children.
New therapy enlists immune system to boost cure rate in a childhood cancer
A multicenter research team has announced encouraging results for an experimental therapy using elements of the body's immune system to improve cure rates for children with neuroblastoma, a challenging cancer of the nervous system.
Immunotherapy effective against neuroblastoma in children
A phase III study has shown that adding an antibody-based therapy that harnesses the body's immune system resulted in a 20 percent increase in the number of children living disease-free for at least two years with neuroblastoma.
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Neuroblastoma by Nai-Kong V. Cheung (Editor), Susan L. Cohn (Editor) Neuroblastoma is a medical enigma. As a childhood neoplasm arising from neural crest cells, it is characterized by diverse clinical behaviors ranging from spontaneous remission to rapid tumor progression and death. Although clinical outcome can be predicted to a large extent by the stage of disease and the age at diagnosis, an in-depth understanding of its clinico-pathological behavior, now greatly aided by sophisticated molecular genetic profiling, will improve diagnostic precision and refine risk-based therapies. Comprehensive international efforts have advanced our understanding of tumor biology, and improved the clinical management of children with neuroblastoma. This book reviews our current understanding of the genes and biological pathways that contribute to neuroblastoma... |
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Neuroblastoma Awareness Ribbon Mouse Pad by MyHeritageWear.com The Neuroblastoma Ribbon proudly displayed on a mouse pad. There is no better way to achieve awareness for the meaning of the Neuroblastoma Ribbon than to display it on your mouse pad for everyone to see. The mouse pad measures at 9.25 x 7.75, it is machine washable, and the colors will not fade or run. Start gaining awareness today by presenting your Neuroblastoma Ribbon mouse pad at work or at home. It is certain to keep your mouse rolling in style all while gaining support and awareness! |
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Neuroblastoma: Tumor Biology and Therapy by Carl E. Pochedly (Author) The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive review of current knowledge and to give a thoughtful assessment of the many complex issues involved in the diagnosis and treatment of this common malignant solid tumor found in children. This up-to-date publication also reviews new concepts in histogenesis and histopathology of neuroblastoma. Divided into three main sections, this work focuses on tumor biology, clinical management, and prognosis and future perspectives. This fascinating work includes in-depth discussions on neuroblastoma in infancy and the manifestations of this tumor as it affects various organs and various parts of the body. It also provides guidelines for treatment with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This ideal resource is loaded with information for all... |
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Neuroblastoma Research Trends by Lucas H. Andre (Editor), Nathan E. Roux (Editor) Neuroblastoma is a cancer that develops from nerve cells found in several areas of the body. Neuroblastoma most commonly affects children age 5 or younger, though it may rarely occur in older children and adults. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in babies. Neuroblastoma develops in tissue that makes up the sympathetic nervous system - the system of nerves that automatically regulates your heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. Neuroblastoma most commonly arises in and around the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys. However, neuroblastoma can also develop in other areas of the abdomen and in the chest, neck and pelvis. This book presents important new research in this field of research. |
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