Neuroblastoma: nutritional strategies as supportive care in pediatric oncology

TL;DR

This paper reviews how personalized nutritional strategies can support pediatric neuroblastoma treatment by influencing tumor behavior and improving patient well-being.

Contribution

It explores the potential of individualized nutrition interventions to modulate neuroblastoma progression and enhance clinical outcomes in pediatric oncology.

Findings

Nutritional strategies can impact tumor metabolism and progression.

Personalized nutrition may improve quality of life for neuroblastoma patients.

Understanding tumor heterogeneity aids in designing targeted nutritional interventions.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma, is a highly heterogeneous pediatric tumour and is responsible for 15% of pediatric cancer-related deaths. The clinical outcomes can vary from spontaneous regression to high metastatic disease. This extracranial tumour arises from a neural crest-derived cell and can harbor different phenotypes. Its heterogeneity may result from variations in differentiation states influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors and individual patient characteristics. This leads downstream to disruption of homeostasis and a metabolic shift in response to the tumour needs. Nutrition can play a key role in influencing various aspects of a tumour behaviour. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the aetiology of neuroblastoma and the different avenues of disease progression, which can be targeted with individualized nutrition intervention strategies to improve the well-being of children and optimize clinical outcomes.