Naxitamab Added to Induction for Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma
This study is for children and young people who have recently been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of cancer. It's looking at whether adding a new medicine called Naxitamab to their standard chemotherapy at the very beginning of their treatment can make it more effective and improve their long-term health. The study involves giving Naxitamab alongside five cycles of chemotherapy. Researchers will carefully watch how patients respond to this combined treatment, checking for changes in their cancer and any side effects. The hope is that this new approach will lead to better treatment results and a greater chance of survival for those with this challenging cancer.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is designed for children and young people who have just been diagnosed with a serious type of cancer called high-risk neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma is a cancer that affects specialist nerve cells, often found in the tummy or chest, and it mainly affects babies and young children. High-risk means it's a more aggressive form of the disease that needs intensive treatment.
The main idea behind this study is to see if adding a new medicine called Naxitamab to the 'induction therapy' – which is the first full course of chemotherapy – can make treatment more successful. Currently, standard treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma is very intense, involving several rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell transplants, and other therapies. While these treatments save lives, unfortunately, the survival rate for high-risk neuroblastoma still needs to improve. This study hopes that by introducing Naxitamab early on, it might help shrink the cancer more effectively and give children a better chance of beating it.
Throughout the study, doctors will keep a close eye on how well the treatment is working. This includes regularly checking the size of the cancer, looking for any changes, and monitoring for any side effects from the medicines. They will also track how patients are doing over time to see if the new combined treatment leads to better long-term survival rates compared to current standard treatments. The goal is to find better ways to treat this challenging cancer and improve outcomes for young patients.
Key takeaways
- This study is for children and young people newly diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
- It aims to improve treatment success by adding Naxitamab earlier in therapy.
- Naxitamab will be given with standard induction chemotherapy.
- Careful monitoring of the cancer and any side effects will occur.
- The goal is to achieve better responses and survival rates for patients.
- Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
Who may be eligible?
This study is specifically looking for children and young people who have recently been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. The exact features of their cancer, such as how it presents and certain genetic markers, will determine if they can join. For instance, children with a specific genetic change called 'MYCN amplification' are often eligible, as are those aged generally from 12 months up to 21 years with other specific features of the disease that doctors will check.
If your child has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, your doctors will review all the details of their specific condition against a list of criteria to see if this study might be suitable for them. These criteria are quite detailed and help ensure that the study includes the right patients to properly test the new treatment and that it's as safe as possible for everyone involved.
It's important to remember that 'high-risk' in this context refers to the nature of the cancer, not necessarily the patient's individual health before treatment. Your medical team will be able to explain if your child's specific diagnosis fits the requirements for this study.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Has my child been recently diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma?
- Is my child aged between 12 months and 21 years?
- Does my child's cancer have specific genetic features or other characteristics that doctors will be checking for?
- Has my child not yet started their main chemotherapy treatment for neuroblastoma?
What does participation involve?
If your child takes part in this study, they will receive Naxitamab along with their standard chemotherapy called 'induction therapy'. This induction therapy usually involves five cycles of an intensive chemotherapy mixture. Naxitamab will be given during all five of these cycles. After the second chemotherapy cycle, doctors will carry out a procedure to collect stem cells, which may be used later in their treatment. The main tumour is ideally removed by surgery after the fourth chemotherapy cycle, but this might be moved to after the fifth cycle if needed. During their treatment, your child will have regular check-ups and scans to see how the cancer is responding. These checks happen before treatment begins, after two chemotherapy cycles, before surgery, at the end of the five chemotherapy cycles, and again if any further treatments are needed. The total duration of active treatment within the study will depend on how many cycles of chemotherapy are needed and when surgery takes place, typically spanning several months.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (23)
- University of Alabama/Children's of AlabamaVerified postcodeBirmingham, United States· Recruiting
- Arkansas Children's HospitalVerified postcodeLittle Rock, United States· Recruiting
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital OaklandVerified postcodeOakland, United States· Recruiting
- Rady Children's HospitalVerified postcodeSan Diego, United States· Recruiting
- Connecticut Children's HospitalVerified postcodeHartford, United States· Recruiting
- University of FloridaVerified postcodeGainesville, United States· Recruiting
- Nicklaus Children's HospitalVerified postcodeMiami, United States· Recruiting
- Arnold Palmer Hospital for ChildrenVerified postcodeOrlando, United States· Recruiting
- Augusta University HealthVerified postcodeAugusta, United States· Recruiting
- Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildrenVerified postcodeHonolulu, United States· Recruiting
- Norton Children's Research Institute/Affiliated with University of Louisville School of MedicineVerified postcodeLouisville, United States· Recruiting
- Children's Hospital and Clinics of MinnesotaVerified postcodeMinneapolis, United States· Recruiting
Common questions
What is neuroblastoma?
Neuroblastoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects babies and young children, developing from immature nerve cells found in various parts of the body.
What is Naxitamab?
Naxitamab is a special type of medicine called an antibody that targets specific features on neuroblastoma cancer cells to help the body's immune system fight the cancer.
What does 'high-risk' mean for neuroblastoma?
'High-risk' refers to certain features of the cancer that mean it is more aggressive and needs very intensive treatment.
Will my child still receive standard chemotherapy?
Yes, Naxitamab will be given alongside the usual first course of chemotherapy, known as 'induction therapy'.
How long will my child be in the study?
The active treatment phase of the study will involve several months, covering chemotherapy cycles, surgery, and follow-up checks.
How to find out more
BCC Enroll
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.