Researchers in Australia have identified a promising drug-based approach that could help overcome treatment resistance in relapsed neuroblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly childhood cancers.
Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumour found outside the brain in children. While initial treatment can be effective, nearly 90 per cent of young patients who experience a relapse do not survive, largely due to the cancer&rsquo;s ability to resist standard therapies.
According to findings from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, a drug combination using romidepsin, an approved lymphoma medication, may bypass the cellular defence mechanisms that enable neuroblastoma tumours to recur.
The research revealed that conventional chemotherapy depends on the JNK pathway, a cellular &ldquo;switch&rdquo; that triggers cancer cell death. In relapsed neuroblastoma, this pathway is often inactive, rendering standard treatments ineffective. Romidepsin was shown to activate alternative cell-death pathways, allowing cancer cells to be destroyed even when the JNK pathway is blocked.
Tests conducted in animal models demonstrated that combining romidepsin with existing chemotherapy drugs significantly reduced tumour growth and improved survival rates. The combination also allowed for lower chemotherapy doses, potentially minimising harsh side effects in young patients.
The study&rsquo;s lead researcher, Associate Professor David Croucher, said overcoming resistance in high-risk relapsed neuroblastoma has been a long-standing challenge. He noted that outcomes for children who relapse are often devastating, underscoring the urgency for new treatment strategies.
Romidepsin has already been approved for use in other cancers and has undergone safety testing in children, which could speed up its development as a potential neuroblastoma treatment. However, researchers cautioned that further studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.
The findings have been published in the journal Science Advances. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.]

New drug shows promise against child cancer

Study finds romidepsin may overcome treatment resistance in relapsed neuroblastoma cases

New drug shows promise against child cancer

Study finds romidepsin may overcome treatment resistance in relapsed neuroblastoma cases

November 30, 2025 | 24:42 IST