New aspects of neuroblastoma treatment: ASPHO 2011 symposium review

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor of childhood, and the outcomes for children with high-risk and relapsed disease remain poor. However, new international strategies for risk stratification and for treatment based on novel tumor targets and including immunotherapy are being employed in attempts to improve the outcomes of children with neuroblastoma. A new international neuroblastoma risk classification system has been developed which is being incorporated into cooperative group clinical trials in North America, Japan, and Europe, resulting in standardized approaches for the initial evaluation and treatment stratification of neuroblastoma patients. Furthermore, novel treatment regimens are being developed based on improved understanding of neuroblastoma biology and on the recruitment of the immune system to specifically target neuroblastoma tumors. These approaches will lead to new therapeutic strategies that likely will improve the outcomes for children with neuroblastoma worldwide.