Therapeutic Opportunities in Neuroblastoma Using Nanotechnology

Abstract

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial solid tumor preferentially occurring in preschoolers. Its characteristic aggressiveness and heterogeneous clinical behavior are especially visible in relapsed or refractory cases and hamper therapeutic success. Although the introduction of novel antitumor agents, such as dinutuximab, isotretinoin, irinotecan, or I-131-metaiodobenzylguanidine, has increased survival rates, the situation in high-risk NB remains dismal. Moreover, treatment is particularly aggressive in these patients, leading to short-and long-term toxicities. The extensive research performed using nanotechnology in recent decades has prompted its application as a therapeutic alternative to overcome some of the common limitations of conventional chemotherapy. Nevertheless, the therapeutic role of nanomedicine in pediatric tumors like NB is not fully elucidated, and to date, only albuminbound paclitaxel nanoparticles have reached clinic stages. In this review, we summarize the current therapeutic strategies for NB with special attention to the use of nanomedicine. We also highlight the preclinical studies on passive and active targeting nanodelivery of therapeutics in experimental NB models.

Impact of extracellular matrix stiffness on genomic heterogeneity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell line

“…ECM stiffness and composition are currently of such importance that, together with mechanotransduction, are considered promising therapeutic targets in many cancer types [ 14 – 16 ]. This is also the case of neuroblastoma (NB), a peripheral sympathetic tumor that causes 15% of childhood deaths from cancer [ 17 ].…”

Neuroblastoma‐targeted nanoparticles and novel nanotechnology‐based treatment methods

“…Overexpression of GD2 in different tumor types has been observed in different patterns. Targeting GD2 by high specificity and high‐affinity monoclonal antibodies has become a strategy for NB diagnosis and treatment (Gholizadeh et al, 2018; Pastorino et al, 2019; Rodriguez‐Nogales, Noguera, Patrick, & Blanco‐Prieto, 2019). 3F8 is an important murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) with high antitumor activity against NB by causing antibody‐directed cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC).…”

“…These NPs must be designed by using surface glycoproteins of the rabies virus to be able to recognize and target nAChRs. These types of drug delivery systems have shown good results in clinical trials (Corringer & Changeux, 2008; Huey, Rathbone, McCarron, & Hawthorne, 2019; Rodriguez‐Nogales et al, 2019).…”

Impact of extracellular matrix stiffness on genomic heterogeneity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell line

“…ECM stiffness and composition are currently of such importance that, together with mechanotransduction, are considered promising therapeutic targets in many cancer types [14][15][16]. This is also the case of neuroblastoma (NB), a peripheral sympathetic tumor that causes 15% of childhood deaths from cancer [17].…”