Tumors evolve rapidly in a childhood cancer, leaving fewer obvious tumor targets

An extensive genomic study of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma reinforces the challenges in treating the most aggressive forms of this disease. Contrary to expectations, the scientists found relatively few recurrent gene mutations—mutations that would suggest new targets for neuroblastoma treatment. Instead, say the researchers, they have now refocused on how neuroblastoma tumors evolve in response to medicine and other factors. "This research underscores the fact that tumor cells often change rapidly over time, so more effective treatments for this aggressive cancer will need to account for the dynamic nature of neuroblastoma," said study leader John M. Maris, M.D., director of the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Read more here.

Study mentioned: Pugh TJ, et al. The genetic landscape of high-risk neuroblastoma. Nat Genet. 2013 Jan 20. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23334666