Neuroblastoma trials
Neuroblastoma is the most common childhood malignancy and is a major cause of death from childhood cancer.
Professor Andy Pearson led two European clinical trials into the disease. These showed that for babies under the age of one with neuroblastoma who have widespread disease, the number of MYCN genes in the cancer cells determines how aggressively the cancer behaves, and in particular who requires more intensive treatment.
Babies with tumours that do not have an increased number of MYCN genes can be treated by surgery alone, or with two to four courses of chemotherapy, and they will have an excellent (96%) chance of cure. In the past these children received up to 12 courses of chemotherapy.
By limiting treatment we are significantly reducing the risks and side effects for these very young patients, and our goal for the future is to individualise treatment for children with neuroblastoma.