Resumen
Retinoblastoma (RB) is a cancer in children, caused by loss of function of RB1 gene. Additional factors such as increase in gene copy numbers of oncogenes MYCN, MDM4 and E2F3 contribute to RB pathogenesis, though their mechanism(s) are not completely understood. We sought to explain the role of MYCN in RB pathogenesis. Our data indicate that MYCN is overexpressed in RB, and that may contribute to the disease progression by altering the cancer metabolism (glucose metabolism) and cell migration related genes. We also observed that a combination of MYCN-inhibition with carboplatin, a drug that is currently used in the treatment of RB has a good synergistic activity against RB. Development of drug-related toxicity and associated long-term side effects is a problem in treatment of RB. MYCN-inhibition, in combination with existing drugs, could be a novel, effective therapeutic strategy to reduce high doses of chemotherapy for children that receive prolonged chemotherapy.