Size matters: Tiny samples – great hope for children with cancer
Every year, around 2,200 children in Germany are diagnosed with cancer. Rare tumours such as neuroblastomas, Ewing’s sarcomas or rhabdomyosarcomas (collectively referred to as ‘small round blue cell tumours’) are particularly treacherous when they recur after initial treatment. These types of cancer often require personalised therapies, but the tissue samples required are frequently too small in children for modern diagnostics and research.
Current study guidelines usually require 5–10 mm of tissue for experimental studies and genetic analyses – a requirement that is often difficult to meet in paediatric biopsies, meaning that participation in such studies is sometimes not possible. In a project supported by FUSE e.V. (https://fuse-hessen.de/), the team led by Dr Elise Gradhand (Dr Senckenberg Institute of Pathology) and PD Dr Meike Vogler (Institute for Experimental Paediatric Haematology and Oncology) is now investigating the question: Can even tiny samples of 1–2 mm be sufficient for the establishment of tumour cultures and molecular diagnostics?
The hypothesis is promising, as these tumours consist of extremely densely packed, DNA-rich cells. If it is confirmed, this could revolutionise research into rare childhood cancers. Since 2020, the team has already established a unique biobank containing over 50 childhood cancer cell cultures. They are now systematically comparing samples measuring between 1 and 5 mm as part of this study, which is being conducted in close collaboration with the Dr Senckenberg Institute of Pathology (Director: Prof. Dr med. P.J. Wild) and the Institute of Experimental Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (Director: Prof. Dr D. Heckl).
The findings could significantly improve access to modern diagnostic methods for children with cancer: more children could benefit from targeted therapies that specifically attack cancer cells whilst causing fewer long-term side effects. Even if only some of the samples previously deemed ‘too small’ could be used, this would be a milestone for the families affected. The study promises to be an important step in the fight against
paediatric cancers that cannot be cured by standard first-line therapy – without compromising diagnostic accuracy in any way.
Photo (from left): Dr Elise Gradhand (Dr Senckenberg Institute of Pathology) and PD Dr Meike Vogler (Institute of Experimental Paediatric Haematology and Oncology)
