Neuroblastoma: biological insights into a clinical enigma

GM Brodeur - Nature reviews cancer, 2003 - nature.com
Nature reviews cancer, 2003nature.com
Neuroblastoma is a tumour derived from primitive cells of the sympathetic nervous system
and is the most common solid tumour in childhood. Interestingly, most infants experience
complete regression of their disease with minimal therapy, even with metastatic disease.
However, older patients frequently have metastatic disease that grows relentlessly, despite
even the most intensive multimodality therapy. Recent advances in understanding the
biology and genetics of neuroblastomas have allowed classification into low-, intermediate …
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a tumour derived from primitive cells of the sympathetic nervous system and is the most common solid tumour in childhood. Interestingly, most infants experience complete regression of their disease with minimal therapy, even with metastatic disease. However, older patients frequently have metastatic disease that grows relentlessly, despite even the most intensive multimodality therapy. Recent advances in understanding the biology and genetics of neuroblastomas have allowed classification into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups. This allows the most appropriate intensity of therapy to be selected — from observation alone to aggressive, multimodality therapy. Future therapies will focus increasingly on the genes and biological pathways that contribute to malignant transformation or progression.
nature.com