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Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors
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Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 7852

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alberto Pappo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Oncology, St. Jude’s Cancer Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
Interests: pediatric melanoma; soft tissue sarcomas; pediatric gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Prof. Dr. Godfrey Chan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
Interests: neuroblastoma; brain tumors; mesenchymal stem cells; immunotherapy; beta-glucan; haploidentical HSCT

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although rare, pediatric cancers represent the leading cause of death by disease among children. Among them, solid tumors are a heterogeneous group and account for more than 60% of all pediatric malignant neoplasms. Other than brain tumors, the common types of pediatric solid tumors are soft tissue sarcomas, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, Ewing sarcoma, germ cell tumors, etc. The standard treatment of pediatric solid tumors has included surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy, and, in recent years immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The spectrum of pediatric solid tumors and their respective prognosis differ significantly and are very different from adult cancers. Therefore, the management of pediatric solid tumors remains a significant challenge, and there is a pressing need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve their outcome. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Alberto Pappo
Prof. Dr. Godfrey Chan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric solid tumor
  • brain tumors
  • therapeutic strategies
  • immunotherapy
  • targeted therapy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4256 KiB  
Article
Effects of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes on Cisplatin Sensitivity in Pediatric Brain Cancer Cells
by Sonia Kiran, Yu Xue, Drishty B. Sarker and Qing-Xiang Amy Sang
Cancers 2025, 17(6), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17060997 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 689
Abstract
Background: ATRTs and DIPGs are deadly pediatric brain tumors with poor prognosis. These tumors can develop resistance to chemotherapies, which may be significantly influenced by their microenvironment. Since astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type in the brain microenvironment and may support [...] Read more.
Background: ATRTs and DIPGs are deadly pediatric brain tumors with poor prognosis. These tumors can develop resistance to chemotherapies, which may be significantly influenced by their microenvironment. Since astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type in the brain microenvironment and may support tumor growth and chemoresistance, this study investigated the effects of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes (iPSC-astrocytes) on cisplatin sensitivity in CHLA-05-ATRT and SF8628 (DIPG) cells. iPSCs provide an unlimited and standardized source of nascent astrocytes, which enables modeling the interaction between childhood brain tumor cells and iPSC-astrocytes within a controlled coculture system. Methods: To study the effects on tumor growth, the iPSC-astrocytes were cocultured with tumor cells. Additionally, the tumor cells were exposed to various concentrations of cisplatin to evaluate their chemosensitivity in the presence of astrocytes. Results: The paracrine interaction of iPSC-astrocytes with tumor cells upregulated astrocyte activation markers GFAP and STAT3 and promoted tumor cell proliferation. Moreover, the cisplatin treatment significantly decreased the viability of CHLA-05-ATRT and SF8628 cells. However, tumor cells exhibited reduced sensitivity to cisplatin in the coculture with iPSC-astrocytes. During cisplatin treatment, DIPG cells in particular showed upregulation of resistance markers, ERK1, STAT3, and MTDH, which are associated with enhanced proliferation and invasion. They also had increased expression of APEX1, which is involved in the base excision repair pathway following cisplatin-induced DNA damage. Conclusion: These findings underscore the significance of the tumor microenvironment in modulating tumor cell survival and chemosensitivity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors)
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11 pages, 4631 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiling as Frontline Diagnostics for Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors in Hong Kong
by Otto C. H. Tam, Ronnie S. L. Ho, Shing Chan, Kay K. W. Li, Tit-Leung Lam, Elaine T. Y. Cheung, Oi-Yee Cheung, Wilson W. S. Ho, Kevin K. F. Cheng, Matthew M. K. Shing, Dennis T. L. Ku, Brian H. Y. Chung, Wanling Yang, Godfrey C. F. Chan, Ho-Keung Ng and Anthony P. Y. Liu
Cancers 2023, 15(19), 4880; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194880 - 7 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
This paper examines the link between CNS tumor biology and heterogeneity and the use of genome-wide DNA methylation profiling as a clinical diagnostic platform. CNS tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, and their prognosis remains poor. This study retrospectively analyzed [...] Read more.
This paper examines the link between CNS tumor biology and heterogeneity and the use of genome-wide DNA methylation profiling as a clinical diagnostic platform. CNS tumors are the most common solid tumors in children, and their prognosis remains poor. This study retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients with CNS embryonal tumors in Hong Kong between 1999 and 2017, using data from the territory-wide registry and available formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. After processing archival tumor tissue via DNA extraction, quantification, and methylation profiling, the data were analyzed by using the web-based DKFZ classifier (Molecular Neuropathology (MNP) 2.0 v11b4) and t-SNE analysis. Methylation profiles were deemed informative in 85 samples. Epigenetic data allowed molecular subgrouping and confirmed diagnosis in 65 samples, verified histologic diagnosis in 8, and suggested an alternative diagnosis in 12. This study demonstrates the potential of DNA methylation profiling in characterizing pediatric CNS embryonal tumors in a large cohort from Hong Kong, which should enable regional and international collaboration in future pediatric neuro-oncology research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors)
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14 pages, 1499 KiB  
Article
Incidence and Predictors for Oncologic Etiologies in Chinese Children with Pituitary Stalk Thickening
by Mario W. T. Li, Sarah W. Y. Poon, Claudia Cheung, Chris K. C. Wong, Matthew M. K. Shing, Terry T. W. Chow, Samantha L. K. Lee, Gloria S. W. Pang, Elaine Y. W. Kwan, Grace W. K. Poon, Ho-Chung Yau, Joanna Y. L. Tung and Anthony P. Y. Liu
Cancers 2023, 15(15), 3935; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15153935 - 2 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1875
Abstract
Background: With the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of children with endocrine disorders, pituitary stalk thickening (PST) poses a clinical conundrum due to the potential for underlying neoplasms and challenges in obtaining a tissue biopsy. The existing literature [...] Read more.
Background: With the increasing use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of children with endocrine disorders, pituitary stalk thickening (PST) poses a clinical conundrum due to the potential for underlying neoplasms and challenges in obtaining a tissue biopsy. The existing literature suggests Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) to be the commonest (16%) oncologic cause for PST, followed by germ cell tumors (GCTs, 13%) (CCLG 2021). As the cancer epidemiology varies according to ethnicity, we present herein the incidence and predictors for oncologic etiologies in Hong Kong Chinese children with PST. Methods: Based on a territory-wide electronic database, we reviewed patients aged < 19 years who presented to three referral centers with endocrinopathies between 2010 and 2022. Records for patients who underwent at least one MRI brain/pituitary were examined (n = 1670): those with PST (stalk thickness ≥ 3 mm) were included, while patients with pre-existing cancer, other CNS and extra-CNS disease foci that were diagnostic of the underlying condition were excluded. Results: Twenty-eight patients (M:F = 10:18) were identified. The median age at diagnosis of PST was 10.9 years (range: 3.8–16.5), with central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and growth hormone deficiency (GHD) being the most frequent presenting endocrine disorders. At a median follow-up of 4.8 years, oncologic diagnoses were made in 14 patients (50%), including 13 GCTs (46%; germinoma = 11, non-germinoma = 2) and one LCH (4%). Among patients with GCTs, 10 were diagnosed based on histology, two by abnormal tumor markers and one by a combination of histology and tumor markers. Three patients with germinoma were initially misdiagnosed as hypophysitis/LCH. The cumulative incidence of oncologic diagnoses was significantly higher in boys and patients with PST at presentation ≥6.5 mm, CDI or ≥2 pituitary hormone deficiencies at presentation and evolving hypopituitarism (all p < 0.05 by log-rank). Conclusions: A higher rate of GCTs was observed in Chinese children with endocrinopathy and isolated PST. The predictors identified in this study may guide healthcare providers in Asia in clinical decision making. Serial measurement of tumor markers is essential in management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors)
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Review

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21 pages, 387 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Targeting of DNA Repair Pathways in Pediatric Extracranial Solid Tumors: Current State and Implications for Immunotherapy
by Sophia J. Zhao, Daniel Prior, Christine M. Heske and Juan C. Vasquez
Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1648; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091648 - 25 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2448
Abstract
DNA damage is fundamental to tumorigenesis, and the inability to repair DNA damage is a hallmark of many human cancers. DNA is repaired via the DNA damage repair (DDR) apparatus, which includes five major pathways. DDR deficiencies in cancers give rise to potential [...] Read more.
DNA damage is fundamental to tumorigenesis, and the inability to repair DNA damage is a hallmark of many human cancers. DNA is repaired via the DNA damage repair (DDR) apparatus, which includes five major pathways. DDR deficiencies in cancers give rise to potential therapeutic targets, as cancers harboring DDR deficiencies become increasingly dependent on alternative DDR pathways for survival. In this review, we summarize the DDR apparatus, and examine the current state of research efforts focused on identifying vulnerabilities in DDR pathways that can be therapeutically exploited in pediatric extracranial solid tumors. We assess the potential for synergistic combinations of different DDR inhibitors as well as combinations of DDR inhibitors with chemotherapy. Lastly, we discuss the immunomodulatory implications of targeting DDR pathways and the potential for using DDR inhibitors to enhance tumor immunogenicity, with the goal of improving the response to immune checkpoint blockade in pediatric solid tumors. We review the ongoing and future research into DDR in pediatric tumors and the subsequent pediatric clinical trials that will be critical to further elucidate the efficacy of the approaches targeting DDR. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

16 pages, 2146 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Clinical Utility of Next-Generation Sequencing in Childhood and Adolescent/Young Adult Solid Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Lior Katz, Myriam Ben-Arush, Einav Blanche, Inbar Meir and Oz Mordechai
Cancers 2025, 17(8), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17081292 - 11 Apr 2025
Viewed by 374
Abstract
Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a transformative tool in precision medicine, offering insights into actionable genomic alterations and informing clinical decision-making in childhood and adolescent/young adult (AYA) solid tumors. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the utility [...] Read more.
Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a transformative tool in precision medicine, offering insights into actionable genomic alterations and informing clinical decision-making in childhood and adolescent/young adult (AYA) solid tumors. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the utility of NGS in identifying actionable genomic alterations and its impact on clinical decision-making. Studies involving patients aged 0–40 years with solid tumors were included. Data were extracted using Covidence, and pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. Bias was assessed using Begg–Mazumdar, Egger, and Harbord tests. Results: Out of 13,624 references screened, 24 studies met eligibility criteria, comprising 5278 patients and 5359 samples, of which 5207 provided usable data. The pooled proportion of actionable alterations was 57.9% (95% CI: 49.0–66.5%), with minimal evidence of publication bias. Clinical decision-making outcomes were reported in 21 studies, with a pooled proportion of 22.8% (95% CI: 16.4–29.9%). Germline mutation rates, reported in 11 studies, yielded a pooled proportion of 11.2% (95% CI: 8.4–14.3%), consistent with rates typically observed in childhood cancers. Significant heterogeneity was observed across studies due to differences in sequencing methodologies, tumor types, and sampling strategies. Conclusions: NGS demonstrates considerable potential in identifying actionable genomic targets and guiding clinical decision-making in childhood and AYA solid tumors. However, the variability in methodologies underscores the need for standardized protocols and reporting practices to enhance comparability and generalizability. This meta-analysis highlights the promise of genomic medicine while acknowledging challenges posed by heterogeneity in study designs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Editorial Board Members’ Collection Series: Treatment of Pediatric Solid Tumors)
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