Arya Emami
1, Zahra Sepehri
2, Joseph W. Gordon
3,4,5, Saeid Ghavami
5,6*1 Department of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
2 Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
3 Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
4 Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Canada
5 Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
6 Biology of Breathing Theme, Children Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Canada
*Corresponding Author: *Correspondence to Saeid Ghavami; Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Tel: +1 204 272 3061;, Email:
saeid.ghavami@umanitoba.ca
Abstract
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a muscle-derived tumor and is the most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma representing 5% of all childhood cancers. Statistically, soft tissue sarcomas account for approximately 10% of all cancers in children, of which more than half of these tumors are RMS. Thus, RMS is a major clinical problem in pediatric oncology. RMS is caused by a disruption in the pathway of primitive mesenchymal stem cells directed towards myogenesis. In most cases of patients diagnosed with RMS there is a genetic or chromosomal alteration involved. In past few years there have been discoveries of more therapeutic approaches that has improved the quality of life in RMS patients and has resulted in a better survival rate in this population from 25% to 60%. However, Additional researches and clinical trials are needed in order to minimize the devastating consequences of the pediatric cancer including RMS. In the current mini review we will briefly discuss current knowledge in RMS focusing on most common biological and clinical aspects of the disease.
Keywords: Rhabdomyosarcoma, Childhood cancer, Cancer therapy