Abstract / Summary
There is growing interest in utilising metabolomics as a tool in childhood cancer research. We propose four main applications of metabolomics in this context; as a less invasive diagnostic technique, to identify prognostic biomarkers, to monitor disease progression or detect relapse and to identify novel therapeutic targets. MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched. Studies evaluating metabolomics in paediatric brain and other solid tumours in the context of our four applications were included. Studies evaluating other ‘omics’ modalities, tumour types, outcomes or involving adults were excluded. 39 articles were included. Published evidence in brain tumours includes the potential for metabolomics to identify biomarkers from peripheral blood samples, possibly obviating the need for invasive biopsies. Additionally, magnetic resonance spectroscopy adds value to conventional magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis and prognostication. Considering other solid tumours, metabolomics has been evaluated in neuroblastoma for risk stratification of disease and in osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour and hepatoblastoma for identifying novel diagnostic biomarkers and improving understanding of tumour pathophysiology. Our review highlights the wide-ranging applications of metabolomics across paediatric brain and other solid tumours. There is an emerging role for metabolomics within research and clinical spheres to improve the diagnosis and management of childhood cancers.