Potentiation of neuroblastoma metastasis by loss of caspase-8.

Genetic alterations are common in aggressive neuroblastomas, the most common form of solid tumour in children. In particular the deletion or suppression of the apoptotic protease caspase 8 is common in malignant, disseminated disease. Experiments in neuroblastoma cell lines reveal that caspase 8 has no effect on primary tumour formation; rather it prevents subsequent tissue invasion and metastasis. Acting as a metastasis suppressor by promoting cell death at tumour margins, it prevents the spread of invasive neuroblastoma cells.