title: Meeting report--3rd Neuroblastoma Research Symposium, Liverpool, 6-7th November, 2013.
abstract: Neuroblastoma is an embryonal malignancy of the developing neural crest. Despite improvements in treatment, prognoses remain dire for patients with high-risk disease. Interest in this enigmatic cancer has led to a rapidly changing research landscape and we report on the recent advances in four themes that were discussed at the 3rd Neuroblastoma Research Symposium: (1) The epigenetic signature of neuroblastoma and the epigenetic control of tumour development, (2) novel approaches to targeting MYCN, (3) valuable in vivo modelling and (4) improving differentiation therapies based on a knowledge of normal sympathetic neuron development. Through lively discussion, the development of combined therapies with synergistic effects for which we have a good mechanistic understanding emerged as offering greatest promise. Drug synergies enhance efficacy but also specificity, the latter crucial for reducing long-term side effects in young children.
authors.affiliation: Neuroblastoma Genomics, German Cancer Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Lindi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Virginie F
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Viprey
authors.forename: Guy B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003226:Congresses as Topic; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: MYCN; animal models; differentiation therapy; epigenetics; neuroblastoma