Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
High Content Screening in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: January 6, 2012
Neuroblastoma screening in Japan: population-based cohort study and future aspects of screening
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hiroshima University Hospital, Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan. eiso@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Insights
Japanese mass-screening for neuroblastoma using HPLC significantly decreased mortality rates. The study suggests adjusting screening to 18 months to balance early detection with reduced overdiagnosis of regressing cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Screening and Diagnostics
- Public Health
Background:
- The efficacy of neuroblastoma screening in reducing advanced disease and mortality remains unclear.
- Japan implemented nationwide mass-screening for infants using quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from 1990 to 2003.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of mass-screening on neuroblastoma incidence and mortality rates.
- To determine optimal screening timing and procedures for future neuroblastoma detection.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of two cohorts: pre-screening (1980-1984) and screening (1990-1998).
- Incidence rates (IR) and mortality rates (MR) per 100,000 births were compared for neuroblastomas diagnosed before age six.
- Large cohort sizes: Pre-screen (n=7,620,203) and Screen (n=10,878,918).
Main Results:
- The screening cohort exhibited a significantly higher cumulative incidence of neuroblastoma (29.80 vs. 11.96, P <0.0001).
- Neuroblastoma diagnosed after 24 months was significantly lower in the screen cohort (P <0.0001).
- Cumulative mortality rates were significantly reduced in the screen cohort (2.82 vs. 5.35, P <0.0001).
Conclusions:
- HPLC mass-screening at 6 months increased incidence in infants under 12 months but significantly decreased overall mortality.
- A proposed adjustment to HPLC-screening at 18 months aims to minimize overdiagnosis of regressing tumors while detecting unfavorable preclinical cases.
Introduction:
It is unknown whether screening for neuroblastoma has the benefit of reducing the incidence of advanced diseaseor mortality due to neuroblastoma.Japanese nationwide massscreening for 6 month old infants was launched in 1985 and was performed using quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) between years 1990 to 2003.
Materials And Methods:
We compared the incidence rates (IR) and the mortality rates (MR) per 100,000 births of neuroblastomas diagnosed before 6 years of age between 2 cohorts: children born during the years 1980 to1984 (Pre-screen cohort, n = 7,620,203) and 1990 to1998 (Screen cohort, n = 10,878,918). We then proposed the optimal timing and procedures for future screening.
Results:
Cumulative IR in the Screen cohortwas significantly higher than the Pre-screen cohort (29.80 vs. 11.96, P <0.0001). On the other hand, IR of neuroblastoma diagnosed after 24 months old in the Screen cohort was significantly lower than in the Pre-screen cohort (P <0.0001). The cumulative MR of the Pre-screen cohort was 5.35, whereas that of the Screen cohort was 2.82 (P <0.0001).
Conclusions:
HPLC mass-screening for neuroblastoma at 6 months of age found a marked increase in incidence in younger children (less than 12 month old) and a significant decrease in mortality rates overall. To reduce overdiagnosis of regressing cases and to identify preclinical stages of unfavourable cases, we propose using HPLC-screening at 18 months of age.
Related Concept Videos
02:46Genetic Screens
Forward genetic screens
Forward or “classical” genetic screens involve creating random mutations in an organism’s DNA using radiation, mutagens, or insertion of additional bases, which result in visible changes...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...