EP3256117A1 — Methods for treating neuroblastoma

USPTO Abstract

The present invention provides methods and kits a) for preventing and/or treating neuroblastoma (e.g., high-risk neuroblastoma) that is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine content, b) for predicting cancer patient survival, especially cancer patients whose cancer is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine contents, and c) for selecting treatment options for such patients based on the allelic nucleotide sequence or SNP at positions +263 and/or +316 of the ODC1 gene. The invention also provides, cancer treatment methods comprising the determination of the ODC1 genotype at the +263 and/or +316 positions, as a means to guide treatment selection, which includes, in some aspects the administration of pharmaceutically effective amounts of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), either as a monotherapy or in combination with one or more other drugs. In addition, the present invention provides methods for preventing and/or treating patients that have been determined to have cancer stem cells, such as patients in cancer remission that are at risk for relapse.