Prognostic value of immunocytologic detection of bone marrow metastases in neuroblastoma
Article Abstract:
Neuroblastoma is a common childhood tumor. Chances of survival with advanced widespread disease are small. However, metastatic neuroblastoma can sometimes regress (stage IVS) or respond well to treatment, while localized tumors can progress. A number of markers, including the blood levels of the enzymes enolase and ferritin (enzymes), histopathological (microscopic) features and DNA content of tumors, and the tumor gene copy number, were examined for their ability to yield a more accurate prognosis for the disease. Immunostaining (use of stain to locate cells) of bone marrow cells has been shown to improve the detection of metastases and may provide additional prognostic information. Tumor cells from the bone marrow of 197 patients with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma were analyzed using immunoperoxidase staining and examination of smears and specimens obtained by conventional analysis. Routine smears and specimens were able to detect tumor cells in 46 percent of the patients, whereas immunocytologic analysis revealed such cells in 67 percent. It also detected bone marrow metastases in 34 percent of patients who were thought to only have localized tumors. Immunocytologic analysis of bone marrow is more sensitive than conventional means and can provide a reliable prognosis. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1991
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Treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma with intensive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplantation, and 13-cis-retinoic acid
Article Abstract:
Autologous bone marrow transplants may be beneficial in children with neuroblastoma. Researchers treated 379 children with neuroblastoma with chemotherapy initially and then randomly assigned them to receive further chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant. Three years later, 34% of those who received the bone marrow transplant were still alive compared to 22% of those who received chemotherapy. Children who took 13-cis-retinoic acid also survived longer than those who did not.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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Chromosome 1p and 11q deletions and outcome in neuroblastoma
Article Abstract:
An estimated 915 samples of neuroblastoma were screened for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome bands 1p36 and 11q23. The findings suggested that unbalanced11q LOH and 1p36 LOH are independently associated with a worse outcome in patients with neuroblastoma.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2005
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