2006-05-15 Bone Tumours

EuroBoNeT, the network of excellence in the field of the pathology, biology and genetics of bone tumours is to receive a subsidy of 13 million euro from the European Union. Twenty-four institutes are involved in the project. Leiden University Medical Center is scientific coordinator, led by pathologist Pancras Hogendoorn.

High death rate
Malignant primary bone tumours are primarily found among children and young adults. The death rate is on average 40%; which for children in particular is very high in comparison with deaths from other forms of cancer. More detailed knowledge about the biology of these tumours is needed in order to improve the treatment of these patients. But these tumours are so rare that nobody has enough knowledge and enough material available to conduct extensive research.

Combining forces
In the new project, researchers from different countries will be combining forces. They will be working together on cartilage tumours, bone-forming tumours, giant cell tumours and so-called Ewing sarcomas. Cartilage tumours are slow-growing, cartilage-producing tumours which can only be treated with (major) surgery. The survival rate for a period of five years varies between 50 and 90%.

Bone-forming tumours are found particularly in children and the elderly. They are treated with chemotherapy and surgery, and the survival rate varies between 60 and 80%. Giant cell tumours are localised, aggressive tumours which affect the bone, and there is a high likelihood of the tumour recurring. Ewing sarcomas are bone tumours which generally occur between the aged of 10 to 20 years. Treatment consists of chemotherapy, surgery and possibly radiotherapy. The long term survival rate is around 60%.

A Ewing sarcoma on a jaw bone

Exchanging knowledge
The researchers will exchange knowledge, techniques and tumour tissue, and will apply the same research methods and statistical methody so that the results can be combined and compared. This European subsidy offers the opportunity to finance joint meetings for the exchange of information, both among the researchers and with patients and those responsible for policy-making. There are also opportunities for extra staff, equipment and training, including the exchange of students and researchers among the various participating members.

Participants
The four main participants in the research project are LUMC, Munster (osteosarcomas), Oxford (giant cell tumours) and Bologna (Ewing sarcomas). LUMC is participating in all four lines of research, but the emphasis in Leiden is on cartilage tumours.