Latest News, Grants & Research Reports
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Encouraging results from the study investigating the role of Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and Natural Killer cells in Neuroblastoma
In 2023, Dr Gao, working with Prof Juliet Gray and Dr Zoë Walters at the University of Southampton, aimed to determine the role of natural killer cell- mediated anti-tumour effects in neuroblastoma, after treatment with EZH2. The objectives of the study were to look at the correlation between EZH2 protein expression and the surface expression of natural killer ligands in neuroblastoma cells, and to determine if the natural killer cells induced cytotoxicity that could be enhanced in the neuroblastoma cell lines with EZH2 inhibitors.
Research Grants - a 2022 update
This year we reviewed the current results of the research initially funded by Neuroblastoma UK from 2010 to 2017. Our Symposiums over the last ten years have brought together researchers to share their work and highlight topics, examples are: new treatments, advances in differentiation therapy, genetic landscape of neuroblastoma , the role of MYC gene and micro RNA signatures.
Dr Jinhui Gao, a Research Fellow will be looking into, ‘Investigating the role of Enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and Natural Killer cells in Neuroblastoma’.
Intensive chemotherapy used in the treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma does not cure all children and has significant side effects and long-term toxicity, so it is imperative that we continue to look for new treatments. One area is to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy. Anti-GD2 immunotherapy is now a mainstay in the therapy of neuroblastoma. Natural killer cells play a major role in the effectiveness of anti-GD2 immunotherapy and EZH2 alters the action of natural killer cells. This pilot study will investigate the benefit of combining EZH2 inhibitors and anti-GD2 immunotherapy.
Dr Rob Ewing, an Assoc Prof in Cancer Systems Biology will be assessing, ‘How does the Zika virus kill Neuroblastoma cells? A potential new oncolytic virotherapy for Neuroblastoma’.
Members of this team at Southampton discovered that the Zika virus can specifically infect and kill cells in childhood brain tumours, and it has shown some promise in the laboratory with aggressive neuroblastoma. The funded research will look into the appropriateness of using this virus to specifically infect and destroy cancer cells without destroying normal cells; an approach known as oncolytic virotherapy. These are attractive potential treatments for childhood cancers as they typically have low toxicity and are well tolerated.
From molecules to medicine: new funding to accelerate rare childhood cancer research
Thanks to your kind donations, Neuroblastoma UK is pleased to announce two research grant awards totalling £683,477, with a focus on improving treatment for children with advanced stages of the disease.
The grants, which include a donation of £15,000 from charity Friends of Rosie, will enable scientists to progress their research and develop safer, non-invasive and more effective treatment for children with the disease.
Developing personalised treatment for ALK-positive neuroblastoma
Thanks to funding from Neuroblastoma UK, post-doctoral research associate Dr Perla Pucci was recruited to join a neuroblastoma research team at the University of Cambridge.
The team, led by Dr Suzanne Turner, are looking to develop more personalised treatment for children with ALK-positive neuroblastoma. Perla tells us more about how the project has progressed.
Understanding potential cancer-causing proteins to improve neuroblastoma treatment
In 2019, Neuroblastoma UK provided a grant of £143,648 to Dr Andrew Stoker and his team at University College London.
The team want to investigate how a particular protein that is well known to promote tumours in several cancers including breast, lung and prostate cancer works in neuroblastoma cells.
Developing personalised treatment for children with neuroblastoma
In 2019, we awarded £236,141 to Dr Suzanne Turner at the University of Cambridge, as part our 2019 research grant round.
Here we meet Dr Turner and find out more about her three year research project aimed at improving the effectiveness of ALK inhibitors for children with neuroblastoma.
Can a keto diet enhance therapy for neuroblastoma?
In 2019, we awarded nearly £5,000 to Prof Robert Falconer and Xiaoxiao Guo at the University of Bradford.
This research grant enabled them to explore the potential for a ketogenic diet to enhance neuroblastoma therapy. Let’s find out more.
Understanding how neuroblastoma develops
With Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), we awarded £72,656 to Dr Anestis Tsakiridis at the University of Sheffield.
The team are working to understand how human trunk neural crest cells become cancerous. This research could lead to further investigations to stop neuroblastoma cells from developing.
Dr Tsakiridis shares his motivations, why team work matters and tells us more about his exciting work.