[Neuroblastoma as a model for the in-vitro study of differentiated therapy]

Differentiation of human neuroblastoma (NB) cells is a very interesting biologic event, providing useful insights in both basic neurobiology and clinical management of this malignancy. Investigation of in vitro NB differentiation exploits several NB cell lines that can be induced to differentiate by an array of natural or synthetic chemicals, as well as biological factors such as some cytokines. The hallmarks of neuronal differentiation are represented by a partial or complete block of cell proliferation, morphological alterations and acquisition of biological features typical of mature neurons (for example, induced synthesis and storage of monoamines and neuropeptides, expression of peculiar cytoskeletal proteins and membrane antigens). The possibility to transfer the differentiative approach to the treatment of NB patients opens exciting therapeutic perspectives.