Recent advances in neuroblastoma.
OBJECTIVE
Although there have been recent advances with multimodal therapy, treatment of neuroblastoma remains a clinical challenge. Despite the identification of several genetic features, there has not been a significant increase in 5-year survival in the last decade. This review will highlight the current operative strategies along with new research developments aimed at improving survival.


RESULTS
The goal of surgical intervention in the early stages of neuroblastoma is complete curative resection. In advanced-stage disease, tissue biopsy for staging is the initial goal. In recent years, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is considered in carefully selected patients. Recent advances in neuroblastoma research have focused on tyrosine kinase inhibition, differentiation, pathway inhibition, and immunotherapy. Several of these targets have shown promising results in vivo and are currently under investigation for potential clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
New information on the importance of cell signaling and the targeting of specific genes of interest are providing key insights into neuroblastoma. Only through the discovery of novel treatment strategies made available through the advancement of research will neuroblastoma be survivable for patients with advanced-stage disease.
Bowen
Kanika A
KA
Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0353, USA
Chung
Dai H
DH
D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy