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Neuroblastoma Genetic change detected in relapse tumors
A European research team involving scientists from the University of Greifswald has for the first time "systematically examined first and relapse tumors in neuroblastoma" and gained new insights into the development of relapse tumors. Thus the researchers succeeded "an important step in the neuroblastoma research", reports the Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald. The scientists published their results in the journal Nature Genetics.
"Our data provide information about the genetic modification, identity and development of neuroblastomas," report the researchers around Professor Holger Lode (photo), director of the Center for Pediatric and Youth Medicine at the University of Greifswald. For this purpose, tissue samples from children who are being treated in Greifswald have been analyzed. For the first time in the current study, the "growth pathway" of the dangerous relapse tumor could be identified. Neuroblastomas account for eight percent of the "most common solid (solid) tumor in childhood," according to the announcement of the University of Greifswald. The malignant disease of the sympathetic nervous system is often fatal when a relapse occurs.
Neuroblastomas are among the most common cancers in babies and toddlers. (Image: millaf / fotolia.com) Often metastases have already formed during the initial diagnosis
If a neuroblastoma is detected in the initial diagnosis, according to the researchers, metastases have already formed in most cases. The recidivism rate is correspondingly high. About 60 percent of those affected fall ill again after supposedly successful treatment. This is the main reason for the low survival of neuroblastoma patients. Long-term studies would have given this with only 30 percent. However, the Greifswald-based physicians with a special immunotherapy, especially the prognosis for patients with relapse significantly improved, here recently made significant progress.
Metabolic pathway of recurrent tumors identified
"The genetic changes of the cancer cells are different in a relapse than in the first disease," says Professor Holger Lode. "This is a new insight that will play an important role in the fight against neuroblastoma," said the director of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at the University of Greifswald. Together, the researchers of "13 leading clinical research groups in Europe" have also succeeded in identifying a new metabolic pathway of tumors in children with a relapse of the neuroblastoma. "The new findings in our scientific network are opening up new ways to combat the risk of cancer," explains Lode.
New starting points for the treatment of neuroblastomas
The comprehensive research is now clear, "what makes the recurrent tumor that causes the relapse, so unpredictable," the researchers report. This is genetically different from the original tumor and therefore also have other metabolic pathways to spread and grow. A discovery that opens up new approaches to treatment. Because "targeted new drugs can be developed against the identified metabolic pathway," says Professor Lode. Perspectively, this will lead to the fact that the antibody immunotherapy can be combined with a drug treatment. "The research results are thus another very important step in the fight against neuroblastoma and to improve the chances of recovery," the conclusion of the Greifswald child oncologist. (Fp)