Will an Antibody Recognizing a New Target in Neuroblastoma Kill Tumor Cells?
In the lab, an antibody targeting ALK expression kills neuroblastoma cells. Researchers believe that an anti-ALK antibody that targets the surface antigen will alert the immune system to attack the cancer, reducing the risk of a future recurrence. This research is to develop, test, and produce clinical grade anti-ALK antibody.
Project Title: Preclinical Development of an Anti-ALK Antibody for Neuroblastoma
Researcher: Yael Mosse, MD
Institution: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Study Type: Preclinical
Status: Completed
This promising research will be conducted by CHOP physician-scientist Yael Mosse, M.D., who garnered international attention for her discovery of a mutation in the ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) gene that occurs in some neuroblastomas. Changes, or mutations, in the ALK gene play a role in the growth of cancer cells and has also been linked to lung cancer and lymphoma. The ALK mutation only occurs in about 10% of neuroblastomas, but ALK expression is found in 90% of neuroblastomas. Â Recent lab research showed that an antibody targeting ALK expression kills neuroblastoma cells. Researchers believe that an anti-ALK antibody that targets the surface antigen will alert the immune system to attack the cancer, reducing the risk of a future recurrence. This research is to develop, test, and produce clinical grade an anti-ALK antibody for future testing in children.
Charity Partners: Ronan Thompson Foundation