Funded by CCLG
Lead investigator: Dr Jess Morgan, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York
Award: £143,822.54
Awarded December 2024
The challenge
Neuroblastoma is one of the most common forms of cancer in children and young people, and it varies a lot between patients. The number of people who are cured after their first round of treatment can be anywhere from 50% to 90%. If the cancer is ‘refractory’ (has not responded to treatment) or ‘relapsed’ (has grown back after treatment), the likelihood of being cured is much lower.
In this situation, families may face difficult decisions about what to do next. Some will choose to try early phase studies that aim to test the safety and potential effectiveness of new treatments. These studies often have few young people with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma included, so it can be difficult to know what the best new treatment options are.
The project
Dr Jess Morgan at the University of York will be conducting a ‘systematic review’ into relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma treatment in children and young people. Systematic reviews take all of the relevant available studies and checks their relevance and reliability. By using their data, Dr Morgan will be able to reliably summarise the current state of neuroblastoma research.
This review will identify and bring together all relevant studies, showing what experimental treatments there are, their effectiveness and what side effects they may have. The team also hope to look at which factors, such as age or cancer genetics, affect the success of these treatments. They will identify any ’gaps’ in the research, where more understanding is needed. During the project, the team will work with professionals and families with experience of neuroblastoma to draw on their expertise.
The impact
The researchers will share their findings throughout the project with everyone who needs to know about them. This includes patients and families, healthcare professionals, researchers, and research funders.
They will highlight promising treatment options and show treatments that may not be effective. This will help families and healthcare professionals understand the current options and support researchers and research funders who are planning future studies.