An existing cancer drug may offer new hope for treating a lethal form of childhood cancer, according to recent findings from Australian researchers.

Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that originates from nerve cells near the kidneys or along the spine, chest, and abdomen, predominantly affects children. Unfortunately, it turns deadly in 90% of cases when the cancer reappears after initial treatment.

This is particularly true for those diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. In these cases, 15% of young patients do not respond to treatment at all, and half of those who initially respond eventually face a recurrence of the disease.

The challenge arises because chemotherapy drugs typically target a cellular mechanism known as the JNK pathway to eliminate cancer cells.

However, in the case of relapsed tumors, the JNK pathway may become inactive, rendering standard treatments ineffective and leading to the cancer’s dangerous spread.

“The statistics once patients get to that point are devastating for families,” Associate Professor David Croucher said.

However, researchers at the Garvan Institute have found a drug called romidepsin can help reduce tumour growth and the chances of the deadly cancer returning, helping more children survive.

The drug is already approved to treat other cancers like lymphomas, and the result of the study published in Science Advances is promising, according to researchers.

“This represents a big step forward,” Croucher said.

“By finding drugs that don’t depend on the JNK pathway, we can still trigger cancer cell death even when this usual route is blocked.”

The trials were conducted on animal models, and the next step is to use clinical trials.

Crocuher insists the benefits will be of the families who could be helped fight the devastating disease.

“Behind every statistic is someone’s loved one,” Croucher said. “Understanding these molecular mechanisms gives us hope we can develop more effective treatments for patients and their families who currently face limited options – and that’s what drives us every day.”