Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer that develops from the nerve cells called neuroblasts and affects around 100 children each year in the UK. It is unpredictable, difficult to diagnose, and one of the most common causes of cancer death in children under five.

The seriousness of the cancer depends on whether it is aggressive or benign and whether it has spread. It is often hard to diagnose neuroblastoma in the early stages, as initial symptoms may not immediately give cause for concern, for example aches and pains and loss of appetite. This means that the cancer often spreads before symptoms can be diagnosed.

Children with the condition may be treated with surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, due to the aggressiveness of the cancer and the difficulties with diagnosis, for many the current treatments are not effective and currently only 55% will recover.

How we’re helping

Sparks is funding a number of key research projects that aim to give children with neuroblastoma the best chance of survival while minimising the side effects of intensive treatment.

Dubois Child Cancer Fund (DCCF)

We have recently launched the Dubois Child Cancer Fund (DCCF) to help fund more life-saving research for children with neuroblastoma

Our research projects in this area

• Targeting cancer genes to treat neuroblastoma – supported by the DCCF

  Identifying new agents which target the ALK gene in order to improve the outcome for children with high-risk neuroblastoma

• Novel inhibitors for neuroblastoma cancer – supported by the DCCF

  Testing new therapies (MDM2/p53 inhibitors) alone and with existing chemotherapies to determine if they are an effective strategy in the treatment of neuroblastoma cancer

• Uptake of cancer drugs by neuroblastoma – supported by the DCCF

  This project aims to improve the chance of cure as well as enhance the quality of life of young cancer survivors

• Improving immunotherapy treatments for children – supported by the DCCF

  Helping children with high-risk neuroblastoma

• Optimising treatment and prospects for children with Dancing Eye Syndrome

  This project aims to provide better treatment and management of children with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome also known as Dancing Eye Syndrome

• Treating neuroblastoma

  We’re funding research at the world-renowned Institute of Cancer Research to develop and test new drugs which they hope will prevent neuroblastoma from spreading

• Combining treatments for neuroblastoma

  We’re funding a project that is looking to develop more effective treatment for children with neuroblastoma

• Safer treatments for neuroblastoma

  If we can use these safe, natural compounds to treat neuroblastoma, patients won’t have to be treated with chemotherapy and suffer its harsh side effects

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  Treatments for childhood cancer

  Dr Louis Chesler is leading a Sparks-funded research project to develop safer, more effective treatments for neuroblastoma.

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