Neuroblastoma Doctors Look to Gene Studies

A pediatric cancer specialist in Philadelphia says gene research may play a key role in understanding the biological causes of neuroblastoma.

Neuroblastoma accounts for 7 percent of all childhood cancers but 15 percent of childhood cancer deaths.

Dr. John Maris 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 journal Lancet, the hospital said Friday in a release.

The paper looks at new approaches to treatments for children whose neuroblastoma has relapsed in an aggressive form. One 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.

Maris said doctors need greater understanding of the abnormal biological events that give rise to neuroblastoma.

He said his team is using the 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, he said.