Study of DNA in Blood Samples From Patients With Neuroblastoma

OBJECTIVES:

I. Perform in a blind study a multicentric study by analyzing serum from patients at
diagnosis (with a known tumor v-myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene neuroblastoma
derived homolog (MYCN) status determined in the Children's Oncology Group [COG] reference
lab), in order to confirm our previous data and to define the most appropriate MYCN/control
ratio cutoff capable of determining positive and negative cases.

II. Define the limits of the procedure in non-metastatic patients and in those with reduced
tumor burden (International Neuroblastoma Staging System [INSS] stage 1 and 2).

OUTLINE:

Circulating DNA is extracted from serum. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of
MYCN is performed and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Real-time quantitative PCR is
also performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Serum samples from neuroblastoma (NB) patients obtained through the COG (and legacy
Children's Cancer Group [CCG]/Pediatric Oncology Group [POG] Biology Studies)

- The MYCN status on corresponding tumors have been determined using standard
techniques; the panel of samples must be obtained from NB patients with and
without MYCN amplification tumors

- Cases will be drawn from clinical subsets at greatest likelihood to benefit from this
testing ability, stage 1 and 2 NBs (both infants and toddlers), stage 4 patients
under 18 months of age, and 4S patients