High Risk Neuroblastoma Study 1.8 of SIOP-Europe (SIOPEN)

This study is looking for children and young people up to 21 years old who have been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Your doctors must have confirmed the type of cancer you have using standard tests.

You would be considered for this study if your neuroblastoma is classified as 'high-risk'. This includes certain stages of the disease, or if the cancer cells show a specific genetic change called 'MYCN amplification'. For children over 12 months old, Stage 4 neuroblastoma is also considered high-risk, even without this gene change.

It's important that you or your child haven't received much treatment for neuroblastoma before joining, typically no more than one cycle of specific chemotherapy. Also, if you're a female able to have children, you'll need a negative pregnancy test and agree to use effective birth control. Your doctor will make sure all criteria are met before you can join.

If you join this study, your treatment journey will be closely managed by your medical team. It starts with intensive chemotherapy, followed by a procedure to collect your own blood stem cells. You will then have surgery to remove the main tumour, more strong chemotherapy, and then receive your stored stem cells back. Radiation therapy will be given to the area where the tumour was.

A key part of the study involves receiving special immunotherapy drugs, often given alongside another drug called isotretinoin. Doctors will carefully monitor your progress throughout these stages, including regular check-ups and tests. While the study has had different treatment 'randomizations' over time (meaning different groups received slightly varied treatments), your doctors will follow the most up-to-date plan. You will be followed up for at least 5 years after your treatment.