Novel Pathways Regulated by NME1 in Neuroblastoma

Peter Zage (Rady)
Tony Hunter (Salk)
Pablo Tomayo (MCC)

Children with aggressive neuroblastoma tumors have poor rates of survival and cure despite intensive treatment, and new therapies are needed. Treatments that block the actions of important proteins and pathways in neuroblastoma tumors are likely to be more effective with fewer side effects.

We have identified an association between the levels of the NME1 gene and the rates of survival of children with neuroblastoma, and we have also identified an association between the levels of the NME1 gene and signaling pathways that potentially control neuroblastoma cell growth and spread, suggesting that NME1 may be a good candidate target for new neuroblastoma treatments.

We propose to determine the genes and pathways in neuroblastoma cells that are controlled by NME1 and to explore how NME1 expression levels and activity affect neuroblastoma tumor cell growth, survival, and spread. The results of these studies will likely identify new proteins that could serve as targets for new types of treatment, leading to improved success of neuroblastoma therapy and improved chances of survival for children with neuroblastoma.