Investigating ways to prevent aggressive childhood cancers

Background

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour in early childhood. It is a particularly complex cancer, that can be difficult to treat. Children with aggressive, or high-risk, neuroblastoma face poor outcomes. Intensive treatment can cause lasting side effects, and the chances of cancer relapse are high. 

There is considerable evidence to suggest neuroblastoma is an embryonal cancer – cancer that begins in cells that are left behind from when a child first develops in the womb. This indicates there could be a link between the development of neuroblastoma and factors that influence child development in the womb. Some studies have suggested that maternal obesity and high birth weight are risk factors for childhood cancer.  

The research

Associate Professor Cheung’s project will be the first to identify and investigate the risk factors for the development of embryonal cancers. The team will study how a high fat diet, maternal obesity and high birth weight contribute to the development of high-risk neuroblastoma. In lab testing, the team will determine if drugs that target the metabolism, fatty acids and cholesterol could be used to treat, and potentially prevent, neuroblastoma development.