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Cancers
Special Issues
Novel Therapeutic Targets and Management in Pediatric Cancer
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Novel Therapeutic Targets and Management in Pediatric Cancer

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 4439

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Péter Hauser

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén County Central Hospital and University Teaching Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
Interests: pediatric brain tumor; ewing-sarcoma; neuroblastoma; ATRT; glioma; predisposition syndrome
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The treatment of pediatric malignancies has reached a milestone in recent years. The wide use of modern diagnostic methods provides a deeper insight into the molecular background of pediatric solid tumors and leukemias, which facilitates a better prognostic estimation for individual tumors and also enables the use of targeted therapy in certain cases. The introduction of treatment modalities applying immunological aspects of leukemias and solid tumor provides the long-term control of tumor growth and a better survival. Newer approaches of targeted and immunotherapy will hopefully fundamentally change the treatment of pediatric malignancies by the marginalization of conventional chemotherapy with an increased burden of long-term side effects. The application of modern molecular technics may promote the early recognition of predisposition syndromes, patients then undergoing a subsequent regular follow-up, helping an early diagnosis and better survival of pediatric malignancies in certain cases.

This Special Issue aims to provide an overview of the recent advances in predisposition syndromes, targeted treatment, and immunotherapy in the field of pediatric hematology and oncology.

Dr. Péter Hauser
Guest Editor

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 tumor
  • pediatric brain tumor
  • bone tumor
  • neuroblastoma
  • targeted treatment
  • immunotherapy
  • predisposition syndrome

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1150 KiB  
Article
Parental Psychological Adjustment in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: The Mediating Role of Family Functioning and Resilience
by Ana Ferraz, Susana Faria, Mónica Jerónimo and M. Graça Pereira
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 338; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030338 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with intense treatments affecting both children and their families. Limited information is available on parental distress and psychological well-being during the first treatment year, with most studies focusing on individuals rather than [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with intense treatments affecting both children and their families. Limited information is available on parental distress and psychological well-being during the first treatment year, with most studies focusing on individuals rather than the family system. This study explores longitudinal changes in parental distress (psychological morbidity and traumatic stress symptoms), coping strategies, family resilience and functioning, and psychological well-being. The study also examines the mediating roles of family resilience, family functioning, and coping strategies in the relationships between parental distress and psychological well-being. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 46 parents of children newly diagnosed with ALL, assessing parental distress, family functioning and resilience, coping, and psychological well-being across three treatment phases: consolidation (T0), delayed intensification (T1), and maintenance (T2). Results: Parental distress and family resilience significantly decreased from T0 to T2, while parental coping improved over time. Family functioning deteriorated from T0 to T1, stabilizing thereafter. Psychological well-being followed a non-linear trajectory, initially declining from T0 to T1 and improving from T1 to T2. Mediation analyses revealed that family resilience and family functioning partially mediated the relationships between parental distress and psychological well-being. Parental coping did not emerge as a mediator. Conclusions: Parental psychological adjustment in the context of ALL is dynamic and influenced by individual and family factors. Interventions that strengthen family functioning and resilience are crucial for supporting parental psychological well-being during treatment. A family-centered approach in healthcare delivery is essential to address individual and systemic challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapeutic Targets and Management in Pediatric Cancer)
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17 pages, 7570 KiB  
Article
Hu14.18K.322A Causes Direct Cell Cytotoxicity and Synergizes with Induction Chemotherapy in High-Risk Neuroblastoma
by Maria Thomas, Thu Hien Nguyen, Jenny Drnevich, Amber M. D’Souza, Pedro A. de Alarcon and Manu Gnanamony
Cancers 2024, 16(11), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16112064 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1114
Abstract
The disialoganglioside, GD2, is a promising therapeutic target due to its overexpression in certain tumors, particularly neuroblastoma (NB), with limited expression in normal tissues. Despite progress, the intricate mechanisms of action and the full spectrum of the direct cellular responses to anti-GD2 antibodies [...] Read more.
The disialoganglioside, GD2, is a promising therapeutic target due to its overexpression in certain tumors, particularly neuroblastoma (NB), with limited expression in normal tissues. Despite progress, the intricate mechanisms of action and the full spectrum of the direct cellular responses to anti-GD2 antibodies remain incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the direct cytotoxic effects of the humanized anti-GD2 antibody hu14.18K322A (hu14) on NB cell lines, by exploring the associated cell-death pathways. Additionally, we assessed the synergy between hu14 and conventional induction chemotherapy drugs. Our results revealed that hu14 treatment induced direct cytotoxic effects in CHLA15 and SK-N-BE1 cell lines, with a pronounced impact on proliferation and colony formation. Apoptosis emerged as the predominant cell-death pathway triggered by hu14. Furthermore, we saw a reduction in GD2 surface expression in response to hu14 treatment. Hu14 demonstrated synergy with induction chemotherapy drugs with alterations in GD2 expression. Our comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the multifaceted effects of hu14 on NB cells, shedding light on its direct cytotoxicity, cell-death pathways, and interactions with induction chemotherapy drugs. This study contributes to the evolving understanding of anti-GD2 antibody therapy and its potential synergies with conventional treatments in the context of NB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapeutic Targets and Management in Pediatric Cancer)
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Review

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25 pages, 1057 KiB  
Review
The Challenge of Managing Neuropathic Pain in Children and Adolescents with Cancer
by Flaminia Coluzzi, Giulia Di Stefano, Maria Sole Scerpa, Monica Rocco, Giovanni Di Nardo, Alice Innocenti, Alessandro Vittori, Alessandro Ferretti and Andrea Truini
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030460 - 29 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1443
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common complication associated with some types of childhood cancer, mainly due to nerve compression, chronic post-surgical pain, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NP is usually less responsive to traditional analgesics, and there is generally a lack of evidence on its [...] Read more.
Neuropathic pain (NP) is a common complication associated with some types of childhood cancer, mainly due to nerve compression, chronic post-surgical pain, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NP is usually less responsive to traditional analgesics, and there is generally a lack of evidence on its management in cancer patients, leading to recommendations often based on clinical trials conducted on other forms of non-malignant NP. In pediatric oncology, managing NP is still very challenging for physicians. Different factors contribute to increasing the risk of undertreatment: (a) children may be unable to describe the quality of pain; therefore, the risk for NP to be underestimated or remain unrecognized; (b) specific tools to diagnose NP have not been validated in children; (c) there is a lack of randomized clinical trials involving children, with most evidence being based on case series and case reports; (d) most drugs used for adult patients are not approved for childhood cancers, and drug regulation varies among different countries; (e) recommendations for pediatric pain treatment are still not available. In this paper, a multidisciplinary team will review the current literature regarding children with cancer-related NP to define the best possible diagnostic strategies (e.g., clinical and instrumental tests) and propose a therapeutic care pathway, including both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches, which could help pediatricians, oncologists, neurologists, and pain therapists in designing the most effective multidisciplinary approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapeutic Targets and Management in Pediatric Cancer)
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