Neuroblastoma is a cancer that affects children. Researchers have identified a mechanism that could provide a new therapeutic response to this disease.
- French researchers have just highlighted a discovery that could make it possible to develop a new therapeutic strategy against neuroblastoma.
- Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor derived from cells that give rise to the sympathetic nervous system.
- Neuroblastoma represents approximately 10% of solid tumors in children under 15 years of age, or 130 to 150 new cases per year in France.
The research team “Cellular senescence, cancer and aging” of Lyon Cancer Research Center (CRCL) and based on the site of the Leon Berard Center recently highlighted a discovery that could allow the development of a new therapeutic strategy in a well-known pediatric cancer: neuroblastoma.
Neuroblastoma: a new mechanism identified
The team’s researchers (particularly Nadine Martin) have identified a new safeguard mechanism that involves communication between the two factories located inside cells, the mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum.
“In many types of cancer this mechanism is lost and cannot be reactivated,” explains the Léon Bérard center in a press release. “Nevertheless, this mechanism could be reactivated in some cases such as in the most aggressive neuroblastomas, that is to say those which are amplified for NMYC oncogene“, he continues.
“Thanks to this discovery, we know that a molecule could reactivate the identified safeguard mechanism and thus combat this cancer,” can also be read in the document sent to the editorial offices.
Neuroblastoma: what will the next research focus on?
In the coming years, the team hopes to continue to demonstrate this discovery in other models and in other types of pediatric tumors. It also plans to soon identify the first molecules compatible with the clinic.
This project now involves several specialists including Céline Delloye-Bourgeois (head of the KidsCaN team “Cancer neuroscience and metastasis of pediatric cancers” at the CRCL), Benoit Dumont (pediatric oncologist at IHOPe and member of the KidsCaN team) and Laura Broutier (researcher in the team “Cell death and childhood cancers” at the CRCL).
Neuroblastoma: definition, symptoms and incidence
Neuroblastoma is a malignant tumor derived from cells that give rise to the sympathetic nervous system and can be found in the front of the spine.
Neuroblastoma represents approximately 10% of solid tumors in children under 15 years of age, or 130 to 150 new cases per year in France. It is the most common malignant tumor in infants: 50% of affected children are under 1 year of age and in 90% of cases the disease occurs before the age of 5.
“The clinical manifestations of neuroblastoma are highly variable. They depend on the site of the primary tumor, most often in the abdomen, along the spine or in the adrenal gland. Often, the initial signs are related to bone metastases and/or difficulty walking,” noted Gustave Roussy.
The survival rate of the neuroblastoma varies from 40% to over 95%.
