Applications and prospects of targeted therapy for neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is an extremely malignant tumor in children. For advanced or recurrent cases, existing treatment modalities are limited and efficacy remains disappointing. With the improvement in understanding of molecular biology of neuroblastoma and the development of clinical trials of targeted drug therapy, a variety of targeted therapies for neuroblastoma have appeared. DATA SOURCES: All the recent literatures on targeted therapies of neuroblastoma on PubMed were searched and reviewed. RESULTS: This article reviewed targeted therapies of neuroblastoma going through clinical trials and obtained preliminary results. The features, advantages and disadvantages of targeted radiation therapy, immunotherapy, gene and pathway molecular inhibitor and angiogenesis inhibitor were discussed. CONCLUSION: This study provides references for better understanding the current progress of targeted therapies for neuroblastoma.