Investigating a new treatment for neuroblastoma and advanced neuroendocrine cancers using a radioactive compound.
Official title: Early phase clinical trials of 211At-meta-astatobenzylguanidine for children with neuroblastoma and adults with advanced neuroendocrine cancers
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11108682 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $695,205 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA300202-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11108682 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and adults with advanced neuroendocrine cancers who have not responded to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage neuroendocrine cancers or those who have not been diagnosed with neuroblastoma may not receive any benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Narayan, Vivek — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Narayan, Vivek
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.