Studying Gene Expression in Samples From Younger Patients With Neuroblastoma

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Studying samples of blood and tumor tissue from patients with cancer in the laboratory may help doctors learn more about changes that occur in DNA and identify biomarkers related to cancer. It may also help doctors find better ways to treat cancer. PURPOSE: This research trial studies gene expression in samples from younger patients with neuroblastoma.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: Determine whether TβRIII expression and TGF-β signaling decrease in advanced-stage neuroblastoma (NBL) and whether these changes are confined to the Schwannian stroma. Determine whether sTβRIII levels and TGF-β signaling correlate with NBL stage, tumor stroma content, surface TβRIII expression, and TGF-β signaling. OUTLINE: Archived paraffin-embedded tissue and plasma samples are analyzed for TβRIII expression, TGF-β signaling, and SMAD3 expression and phosphorylation by immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and other assays. Surface expression of TβRIII in the neuroblastic and stromal tumor components are correlated with matched circulating levels of soluble TβRIII. Results are then correlated with each patient's outcome data, including stage.

Official Title
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The Role of Stroma-Derived Soluble TßRIII in Neuroblastoma

Conditions
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Neoplastic Syndrome, Neuroblastoma

Intervention / Treatment
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* Genetic: gene expression analysis
* Genetic: protein expression analysis
* Other: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
* Other: immunohistochemistry staining method
* Other: laboratory biomarker analysis
* Other: medical chart review


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Tissue samples and matched plasma samples available from 1 of the following groups: Patients with low-stage (International Neuroblastoma Staging System [INSS] stage 1 or 2) neuroblastoma (NBL) Patients with advanced-stage (INSS stage 3 or 4) NBL Patients with stage 4S NBL Clinical and/or outcome data associated with the tissue and plasma samples including INSS stage, age, MYCN amplification status, chromosomal alterations, and 5-year survival, if known PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Not specified PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Not specified

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 21 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Genetic: gene expression analysis|nan|
|Genetic: protein expression analysis|nan|
|Other: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay|nan|
|Other: immunohistochemistry staining method|nan|
|Other: laboratory biomarker analysis|nan|
|Other: medical chart review|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Expression of TβRIII in the neuroblastic tumor and stroma of patients with advanced-stage NBL |  |  | 
| Correlation between TβRIII levels and TGF-β signaling correlate with NBL stage, tumor stroma content, surface TβRIII expression, and TGF-β signaling |  |  | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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stage 4S neuroblastoma, disseminated neuroblastoma, hereditary neuroblastoma, localized resectable neuroblastoma, localized unresectable neuroblastoma