Background

Neuroblastoma remains a devastating clinical problem and continues to be a leading cause of childhood cancer morbidity and mortality despite dramatic increases in therapy. Recent developments in cancer research are changing our understanding of neuroblastoma biology and treatment on the basis of the molecular underpinnings of individual tumors, and are challenging us to design more rational and less toxic therapies.

Neuroblastoma remains the deadliest solid tumor of childhood. A genetic alteration found in a large number of high-risk cases makes it particularly challenging, and existing therapies still fail to cure over half of these patients. New treatment strategies, both safe and effective against this aggressive form of the disease are, therefore, urgently needed. A drug delivery strategy using tumor targeted nanocarriers that will be evaluated and optimized by our team in this project is designed to address this need.