Research into nephroblastoma and pediatric renal tumors

Institut Curie works in particular on:

• The development of a liquid biopsy-based diagnostic tool (determination of circulating tumor DNA in the blood);
• In terms of diagnostics, Institut Curie has developed the liquid biopsy method. This technique involves measuring circulating DNA from the kidney tumor in the patient's blood.  In this way, a simple blood test can rapidly identify the subtype of kidney tumor.  This test is crucial for identifying high-risk subgroups with elevated relapse rates, even though cure rates for young nephroblastoma patients are usually good.
• Analysis of tumor genetic evolution during and after tumor treatment, in order to better understand the mechanisms of resistance in children for whom therapeutic management has failed, and to propose more specific therapies;
• Research also focuses on exploring genes that may play a role in kidney tumors and the development of nephroblastoma.
   

In addition, Institut Curie’s pediatric department holds LRIPH (Research Involving Human Subjects) authorization, issued by the French Regional Health Agency (ARS). 

This means that, where possible and justified, children with kidney cancer resistant to conventional treatments can be included in a clinical trial, to give them the benefit of treatments currently under evaluation.