Meeting report: 3rd Neuroblastoma Research Symposium, Liverpool, 6–7th November, 2013. Issue 9 (7th May 2014) - Bell, Emma
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. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1711–1713. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.