Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Translational Orthotopic Models of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Published on: February 17, 2023
Global Neuroblastoma Network: An international multidisciplinary neuroblastoma tumor board for resource-limited
Katherine K Matthay1, Jennifer Hylton2, Neela Penumarthy3
1Department of Pediatrics, Benioff Children's Hospital and University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA.
Background:
Tumor boards are part of standard care of patients with complex cancers, but appropriate multidisciplinary expertise and infrastructure are often not available in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) for pediatric cancers, such as neuroblastoma. Our goal was to review results of a Global Neuroblastoma Network (GNN) tumor board accessible to LMIC.
Methods:
De-identified clinical cases presented via internet conference during a weekly GNN virtual tumor board from 2010 through 2020 were evaluated in a standardized format, including diagnostic imaging, pathology, therapy information, resource limitations, and questions for discussion. Information summarized included the presentations, a survey of the impact on care, and a resource questionnaire.
Results:
Registered GNN participants included 575 individuals from 77 countries, with a median of 39 participants per session. Total 412 cases were presented from 32 countries, including 351 unique neuroblastoma patients, 52 follow-up cases, and nine non-neuroblastoma diagnoses. Twenty-eight educational sessions were presented. Limited critical resources for diagnostics and staging of cases included MYCN analysis (54.7%), metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scans (38.7%), and International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (49%). Therapies were also limited, with markedly decreased use of radiation and autologous stem cell transplant for high-risk cases, and no availability of anti-GD2 antibody in LMIC. Limited sampling with a post-presentation survey showed that 100% found the GNN helpful, and 70% altered the care plan based on the discussion.
Conclusion:
This report shows the utility of an international tumor board for LMIC focused on a challenging solid tumor where local expertise may be limited, with international multidisciplinary expert participation and educational sessions.
