Evaluating biomarkers of neuroblastoma in the BEACON trial
| Study name | Biomarker evaluation of neuroblastoma mRNAs in children enrolled in the BEACON trial |
| Study type | Preclinical |
| Principal investigator(s) | Prof Sue Burchill and Dr Lucas Moreno |
| Institutions | University of Leeds |
| Partners | N/A |
| Total awarded | £58,327.12 |
Overview
Treating relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma remains a huge challenge, with survival rates as low as 10% for children with this type of disease. One of the issues that remains unsolved is how to recognise when a child’s disease will be resistant to standard therapies, or at risk of returning if they do achieve remission. Several studies are in progress to investigate biomarkers - biological indicators of a disease which might help to predict a patient's outcome or response to treatment.
The group, led by Prof Sue Burchill in Leeds, is investigating potential biomarkers called adrenergic and mesenchymal mRNAs. Previous studies have indicated that high levels of these mRNAs in the blood correlate with a poorer outcome for patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma. They are now looking to test whether this is also the case for patients with refractory or relapsed disease which has not been done before.
To do this they will use samples from the BEACON trial which is investigating treatments for refractory and relapsed neuroblastoma.
Impact
If the study is successful in seeing a strong link between mRNA levels and prognosis, then further steps will be taken to test the findings in a wider patient population. Eventually the results could lead to the development of a simple blood test that can identify children with poorer prognoses right from diagnosis.
"We have developed a simple blood test that can identify, at the time of diagnosis, children with neuroblastoma who are unlikely to respond well to current treatment. Being able to spot these children early means they could be offered alternative treatments that might be more effective. It is now important that this is validated and we define how best to use the test in the clinic for the benefit of these children.
With funding from Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, we are currently investigating how this blood test can be used in children with drug refractory or relapse disease to improve outcome by adapting treatment in real-time depending on patient-specific characteristics and response. This important research would not be possible without funding, and the hard work, support and commitment of Solving Kids’ Cancer UK supporters and fundraisers. Thank you."
Prof Sue Burchill, University of Leeds