Discovery of Ion Channel Drug Targets in Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is a common type of childhood cancer that arises from nerve-like cells and causes tumors outside the brain. We propose to apply innovative techniques to discover new molecular targets for treatment of neuroblastoma. We will grow tumor cells from patients and examine their electrical properties to identify specific proteins called ion channels that carry electrical current. We will then test existing drugs that target the cancer ion channels for their ability to inhibit tumor growth in mice implanted with the human neuroblastoma cells. This research may identify new targets for treating neuroblastoma using existing non-cancer drugs.