(www.abc.net.au) – Neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumour of early childhood, is generally diagnosed when the disease is advanced so fewer than half of children with the disease survive, even after intensive treatment.
The Children’s Cancer Institute (CCIA) has today outlined how the drug, called CBL0137, holds the key to fighting neuroblastoma and pave the way to possible prevention strategies.
Josi Demetriou’s daughter Lulu, who was diagnosed with the disease when she was eight months old, celebrated her sixth birthday last week.
“My beautiful precious little girl Lulu has had more treatment than any human I’ve ever known,” Ms Demetriou said.
“Twelve rounds of high-risk chemotherapy. She’s had about five surgeries, 14 rounds of radiotherapy, has had a bone marrow transplant.
“So she’s had every proven treatment to no avail.”
The new drug prevents cancer cells from repairing themselves, ensuring they are killed off after chemotherapy.
Professor Glenn Marshall, director of the Kids Cancer Centre at Sydney Children’s Hospital and an author of the study, said the drug was used in conjunction with other treatments.