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Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common and deadly solid tumor in children, and despite receiving the most intensive treatments available, 50% of all children with high-risk disease die from this cancer. NB is aggressive in part because it has high levels of chemicals called polyamines (which are made from arginine/ARG). A drug called difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), blocks polyamine production. Dr. Turn and colleagues combine DFMO with decreased ARG to cure 1/3 of models with NB without using chemotherapy in their research. There are however, remaining tumors that have increased macrophages. Although macrophages can eat cancer cells, many of these macrophages are hijacked to help the tumor to grow despite decreased polyamines. Dr. Turn and colleagues will learn how macrophages do this and will find ways to target them to improve this therapeutic strategy in NB.

This grant is funded by and named for the Arden Quinn Bucher Memorial Fund, a St. Baldrick's Hero Fund. Arden’s intelligence, empathy, and dynamic personality charmed everyone and is now her legacy. Before her neuroblastoma diagnosis on October 11, 2007 at age two, she happily played with boundless energy and imagination. Even throughout her difficult months of treatment, Arden bravely managed to keep smiling and learning. This fund supports St. Baldrick’s mission: funding the most promising research, wherever it takes place to provide kids fighting cancers less toxic, more effective treatments allowing them to live longer, healthier lives.