The role of gene amplification in neuroblastoma childhood tumour - single-centre experience.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is one of the most common extracranial tumours occurring in children with gene amplification, acknowledged as a marker of poor prognosis. We assessed the frequency of amplification and its impact on NBL markers and on the treatment outcome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Among 160 children with NBL treated from 1991 to 2015 in one centre 140 patients had known gene status, and they were enrolled in the study. The analysed group was divided into two subgroups: with and without amplification (25 and 115 children, respectively). Association of amplification with stage of the disease, levels of biochemical parameters, overall survival (OS) and failure-free survival (FFS) were analysed.

RESULTS

The frequency of amplification was 17.9%. Most children with amplification (64%) were classified to stage 4 NBL. The levels of biochemical markers of NBL: ferritin, dopamine, NSE, and LDH were significantly higher in the group with amplification, whereas the levels of VMA and HVA were lower. OS and FFS were significantly lower in children with amplification in comparison to children from the control group (OS 53% vs. 76%, = 0.03; FFS 50% vs. 72%, = 0.03). The impact of amplification on the treatment outcome was significant in patients with stage 4 NBL and children under one year of age.

CONCLUSIONS

amplification is a crucial prognostic factor in neuroblastoma, which is associated with almost all features related with poor prognosis and a higher probability of unfavourable outcome.