Since 11q also carry additional genes regulating the DNA damage response (e.g. MRE11, H2AX) it is possible that simultaneous deletion of these genes contributes individually to the aggressive behavior of NB carrying 11q deletion, and that the poor prognosis of NB carrying 11q deletion results from the simultaneous inactivation of several tumor suppressors, ATM being one of them. This evidence concerns the gene ATM and neuroblastoma.