Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children. Clinical course is highly heterogeneous and ranges from spontaneous regression to fatal outcomes. Despite a favorable prognosis in stage 4S neuroblastoma, a subset of neonates develops a hyperproliferative phenotype
predisposing them to abdominal compartment syndrome and early mortality. What distinguishes these tumors in their earliest phase remains unknown. 

We seek to identify molecular determinants of this early-phase proliferation to unravel the mechanisms governing tumor initiation using multiomics profiling and spatial analyses. We aim to identify molecular triggers to enhance our understanding of neuroblastoma initiation and inform the management of infants at risk for rapid disease progression.