While Mlx is not essential for normal embryonic development, previous studies have shown that MLX loss does lead to markedly diminished viability in a subset of cell types in vivo and ex vivo in the context of intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic stress (e.g., splenocytes, 3T3 cells, and tumors (e.g., MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas and MGCT)). This evidence concerns the gene MLX and neuroblastoma.