Can Genetic Mutations Be Specifically Targeted for Neuroblastoma?

By understanding the genetic features of a tumor, researchers are able to use specific drugs that interfere with certain cell processes that cause unrestricted growth. This is the first precision medicine trial for children that will robustly analyze the genomics and epigenomics of cancer and use combinations of investigational drugs to target specific mutations and…

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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…

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Can Chemotherapy Be Delivered to the Brainstem in Children?

Solving Kids’ Cancer supported this new trial, which delivers chemotherapy directly into the vertebrobasilar system, because it represents a novel way to treat the disease by targeting the blood supply to these tumors. This delivery method allows doctors to increase the dose of the drug to kill the cancer, while minimizing toxicity in other parts…

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Can a Vaccine Made From a Child’s Immune Cells Work Against Deadly Brain Tumors?

This new treatment targets glioma-associated antigens, which are overexpressed in ependymomas, making them ideal candidates for the immunotherapy researchers previously developed. This cutting-edge research represents the first immunotherapy trial ever for kids with ependymomas. Project Title: Pilot Study Peptide-based vaccination for recurrent ependymomas Researcher: Ian F. Pollack, MD Institution: Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Study Type:…

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Will Combining NK Cells From a Parent With a Humanized Antibody Be More Effective in Treating Neuroblastoma and Osteosarcoma?

Solving Kids’ Cancer supported this trial because researchers use a humanized monoclonal antibody known as hu14.18-IL2, which specifically targets neuroblastoma tumor cells and binds to them. The humanized monoclonal antibody may be more effective at activating the NK cells for killing the cancer cells. Project Title: hu14.18/IL-2 + KIR ligand mismatch natural killer cells Researcher:…

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Can T-Cells Be Engineered to Attack More Types of Pediatric Solid Tumors?

Researchers optimized the activity of a CAR (chimeric antigen receptor) constructed that targets GD2, an antigen on the surface of neuroblastoma to modify T cells for use in a future clinical trial. Project Title: Adoptive Cell Therapy for Adolescent/Pediatric Solid Tumors: Part I Researcher: Rimas Orentas, PhD Institution: National Cancer Institute Pediatric Oncology Branch Study…

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