MONALISA - Liquid biopsies to detect relapse of childhood cancer early
MONALISA – A SIOPEN pragmatic clinical trial to MOnitor NeuroblastomA relapse with Liquid biopsy Sensitive Analysis: a groundbreaking clinical trial funded by the Mission Cancer of the European Union that is set to unfold over the next five years.
Liquid biopsies are a promise for the future of personalized cancer medicine. MONALISA aims to detect early relapses in childhood cancer neuroblastoma with the help of blood samples (liquid biopsies). Scientists from leading European research institutions in paediatric oncology are testing this promising diagnostic tool under the coordination of the European Society for Pediatric Oncology (SIOPE) and scientific lead of St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute and Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology in the scope of a five-year Horizon Europe project.
With around 1500 new cases of neuroblastoma affecting toddlers and young children annually in the EU, MONALISA has the potential to make a significant impact in the field of childhood cancer. Approximately half of patients with neuroblastoma have high-risk disease, with frequent recurrences. Monitoring of therapy success and potential recurrence in patients is done by medical imaging and the analysis of bone marrow which is a burden for patients and parents. Liquid biopsies offer hope, by providing more sensitive diagnostics for disease monitoring and a reduction of the burden for patients by simple blood tests.
In the MONALISA randomized clinical trial, the efficacy of frequently collected liquid biopsies in 150 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma will be assessed. Samples will be collected at clinical centres and analysed in specialized laboratories. We hope this approach will enable early detection of recurrence and will be well accepted by patients and parents improving their quality of life. Genetic markers found in liquid biopsy tests could also facilitate targeted therapy recommendation. Oncologists will also be supported by electronic infrastructure and a clinical decision support tool that will help to interpret liquid biopsy data.
With this project, we are getting one step closer to effective personalized medicine in children with neuroblastoma and will offer hope for a better chance of being cured.
At the kick-off meeting, 25 MONALISA partners gathered to commence this innovative project with great enthusiasm and inspiring discussions! The kick-off took place in Vienna on January 29th and 30th 2024.
For more details about the MONALISA project, read the latest press release available here.
SAVE THE DATE for the MONALISA Project in the Spotlight Session in Milan, Italy during the SIOPE Annual Meeting. An informal gathering with the paediatric oncology and patient and family community
DATE: Thursday 16 May 2024
TIME: 15:35 CEST
LOCATION: Exhibition Hall - Milano Convention Centre Allianz Mico (North Wing) Via Gattamelata, Entrance GATE 14 IT-20149 Milano MI, Italy
SPEAKERS:
- Prof. Lieve Tytgat, pediatric oncologist specialised in neuroblastoma at the Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, and scientific co-lead of the MONALISA project.
- Dr. Sabine Taschner-Mandl, Principal Investigator at St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute, who is the scientific co-lead of MONALISA and leading liquid biopsy diagnostics.
Please see the SIOPE Annual Meeting programme here.
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