Clinical & biological factors associated with relapsed neuroblastoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Clinical and Biological factors associated with relapse and length of survival following relapse in UK neuroblastomas
IRAS ID
202736
Contact name
Deborah Tweddle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
2016 BS 02, CCLG Biological Studies
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that mostly affects children. It is an embryonal childhood tumour (embryonal cells are primitive cells found in an embryo or foetus) derived from cells which go on to form the sympathetic nervous system (the nerve tissue that runs alongside the spinal cord in the neck, chest, tummy or pelvis). It most often develops in the adrenal medulla (part of the adrenal gland which is situated above the kidneys) but can occur anywhere from the neck to the pelvis. It is one of the most difficult childhood cancers to cure with around 40% five-year survival in high risk cases (50% of all cases). Despite advances in neuroblastoma treatment relapse still occurs in 50% of high risk cases and in most high risk cases cure is no longer possible.
Knowledge of factors which influence subsequent response and length of survival following relapse in neuroblastoma are important to determine which, if any, treatment at relapse is appropriate in individual cases, and may significantly affect the results obtained when evaluating new therapies for neuroblastoma in Phase I and II clinical trials.
Recent studies report an increased frequency of recurrent, genetic abnormalities at relapse including gains and losses of chromosomal parts (genetic blueprint of the cells) and gene mutations for which a targeted treatment exists. The present study is a retrospective epidemiological and genetic study which aims to determine clinical and genetic factors associated with neuroblastoma relapse and length of survival following relapse. This will be done by linking epidemiological data, clinical and existing genetic data analysed by contemporary genetic techniques for recurrent chromosomal losses and gains and treatment information. We will also compare existing genetic profiles on patients on the current high risk neuroblastoma trial who have relapsed with those who haven’t to determine whether particular types and number of segmental chromosomal abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of relapse. The study will also investigate whether the median survival time following relapse is associated with the time interval from diagnosis to relapse.
The outcomes from this study will be used to inform future Phase I, II and III clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0025
Date of REC Opinion
13 Mar 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion