LINES therapy trial for 
the better treatment of neuroblastomas

Neuroblastomas are one of the most common types of malignant tumours in children. This type of cancer is characterised by a heterogeneous course of the disease; the demands of treatment and prospects of cure for individual patients vary correspondingly. Children and adolescents with neuroblastomas are therefore divided into different risk groups and the treatment intensity is adjusted accordingly.

Aim of the trial

Children and adolescents with low and intermediate risk neuroblastomas are treated in the LINES therapy trial. Taking into account additional risk factors, such as age at the time of diagnosis, surgical options, the behaviour of the particular tumour and its molecular and genetic characteristics, patients are divided into further treatment groups. The aim of the trial is thus to adapt the intensity and duration of treatment even more precisely to the individual disease in order to achieve better chances of recovery. In children and adolescents with a good prognosis, therapy is reduced or replaced by observation to minimise the side effects and long-term consequences of treatment. Patients with a more aggressive neuroblastoma, on the other hand, are treated more intensively so that the disease can be overcome in the long term.

Implementing organisation

Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG)