Investigating a new treatment for neuroblastoma and advanced neuroendocrine cancers using a radioactive compound.

Early phase clinical trials of 211At-meta-astatobenzylguanidine for children with neuroblastoma and adults with advanced neuroendocrine cancers

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11108682

This study is testing a special treatment using a radioactive compound to help shrink tumors in children with neuroblastoma and adults with certain types of rare cancers, and it's designed for patients who are looking for new options to improve their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11108682 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on the use of a radioactive compound, 211At-meta-astatobenzylguanidine, to target neuroendocrine cancers such as neuroblastoma in children and advanced pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma in adults. The approach leverages the norepinephrine transporter (NET) to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells, potentially improving treatment outcomes. Patients will receive this compound in a clinical trial setting, where its safety and effectiveness will be closely monitored. The study aims to determine optimal dosing and assess how well the treatment works in shrinking tumors or achieving remission.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and adults with advanced neuroendocrine cancers who have not responded to standard treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage neuroendocrine cancers or those who have not been diagnosed with neuroblastoma may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with neuroblastoma and advanced neuroendocrine cancers, potentially leading to better survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches using radioactive compounds for treating neuroendocrine tumors, indicating potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions advanced diseaseanti-cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.