Advanced therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma in children
Official title: A Study Using Molecular Guided Therapy With Induction Chemotherapy Followed by a Randomized Controlled Trial of Standard Immunotherapy With or Without DFMO Followed by DFMO Maintenance for Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Run by Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT02559778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new combination of treatments for children with high-risk neuroblastoma to see if it helps them do better than the usual therapies.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | Any age to 22 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy |
| Locations | 28 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 27 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 2015 |
| Main results expected | September 2030 |
| Study ends | September 2035 |
| Registry record updated | September 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT02559778 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are children aged 12 months to 18 years with newly diagnosed high-risk neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with low-risk neuroblastoma or those who do not meet the specified eligibility criteria may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the feasibility and acute toxicity of a molecularly guided therapy combined with standard treatments for children diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. It involves a multicenter approach where participants receive various interventions, including ceritinib, dasatinib, sorafenib, vorinostat, and DFMO. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of these therapies followed by a randomized controlled trial comparing standard immunotherapy with and without DFMO maintenance. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for this aggressive form of cancer in pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more effective treatment options for children with high-risk neuroblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise with molecularly guided therapies in treating neuroblastoma, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Part A- CLOSED:
1. Diagnosis: Participants must have a diagnosis of neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma (nodular or intermixed) verified by histology or demonstration of clumps of tumor cells in bone marrow with elevated urinary catecholamine metabolites. Participants with the following disease stages at diagnosis are eligible, if they meet the other specified criteria:
a) Participants with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma with INSS Stage 4 are eligible with the following: i. Age \> 18 months (\> 547 days) regardless of biologic features or ii. Age 12-18 months (365-547 days) with any of the following 3 unfavorable biologic features (MYCN amplification, unfavorable pathology and/or DNA index = 1) or iii. MYCN amplification (\> 4-fold increase in MYCN signals as compared to reference signals), regardless of age or additional biologic features.
b) Participants with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma with INSS Stage 3 are eligible with the following: i. MYCN amplification (\> 4-fold increase in MYCN signals as compared to reference signals), regardless of age or additional biologic features or ii. Age \> 18 months (\> 547 days) with unfavorable pathology, regardless of MYCN status.
c) Participants with newly diagnosed neuroblastoma with INSS Stage 2A/2B with MYCN amplification (\> 4-fold increase in MYCN signals as compared to reference signals), regardless of age or additional biologic features.
2. Participants must be age ≤ 21 years at initial diagnosis
3. Participants must not have had prior systemic therapy except for localized emergency radiation to sites of life-threatening or function-threatening disease and/or no more than 1 cycle of chemotherapy per a low or intermediate risk neuroblastoma regimen (as per P9641, A3961, ANBL0531, or similar) prior to determination of MYCN amplification status and histology.
4. Specimens will be obtained only in a non-significant risk manner and not solely for the purpose of investigational testing.
5. Ability to tolerate PBSC collection: No known contraindication to PBSC collection. Examples of contraindications would include a weight or size less than that determined to be feasible at the collecting institution, or a physical condition that would limit the ability of the child to undergo apheresis catheter placement (if necessary) and/or the apheresis procedure.
Part A and B both- Part A CLOSED, Part B- OPEN:
6. Adequate Cardiac Function Defined As:
1. Shortening fraction of ≥ 27% by echocardiogram, or
2. Ejection fraction of ≥ 50% by radionuclide evaluation or echocardiogram.
7. Adequate liver function must be demonstrated, defined as:
c. Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age AND d. ALT (SGPT) \< 10 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for age
8. ⦁ For participants \< 17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Bedside Schwartz equation (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Bedside Schwartz equation is: \[(0.413) X (Height in cm)\] / SCr
⦁ For participants ≥17 years old: estimated Glomerular Filtration rate (eGFR) as calculated from the Cockcroft and Gault formula (in units of mL/min/1.73 m2) or via radioisotope GFR of ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2. The Cockcroft and Gault formula is: \[(140-age) x (Wt in kg) x (0.85 if female)\] / (72 x SCr)
9. A negative serum pregnancy test is required for female participants of child bearing potential (≥13 years of age or after onset of menses)
10. Post-pubertal study participants must be willing to use a highly effective contraceptive method (i.e., achieves a failure rate of \<1% per year when used consistently and correctly) from the time of informed consent (and assent, as applicable) until 6 months after study treatment discontinuation. Such methods include: combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, intravaginal, transdermal), progestogen-only hormonal contraception associated with inhibition of ovulation (oral, injectable, implantable), intrauterine device (IUD), intrauterine hormone-releasing system (IUS), bilateral tubal occlusion, vasectomized partner, sexual abstinence.
11. Informed Consent: All participants and/or legal guardians must sign informed written consent. Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained according to institutional guidelines.
Part B- OPEN:
12. All patients must have a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of neuroblastoma, be age ≤ 21 years at initial diagnosis, and classified as high risk by the criteria used by COG or SIOPEN at the time of diagnosis. Exception: patients who are initially diagnosed as non-high-risk neuroblastoma, but later converted (and/or relapsed) to high risk neuroblastoma are also eligible.
13. Previous Therapy- participants must fit into one of the strata categories listed in section 10.5 to be eligible to enroll on Part B of this study.
14. Pre-enrollment tumor survey:
Prior to enrollment on Part B, a determination of mandatory disease staging must be performed. Tumor imaging studies including CT or MRI, MIBG or PET, and VMA/HVA (PET scan should be done for patients with prior disease that was MIBG non-avid). Bone marrow aspirates and biopsies are required.
This disease assessment is required for eligibility and should be done preferably within 2 weeks, but must be done within a maximum of 4 weeks before first dose of study drug.
15. Timing- Enrollment to occur prior to Day + 120 post-transplant, preferably when the participant is within 28 days after completing local radiation therapy (if given).
Exclusion Criteria (Part A and B)
1. Participants who are 12-18 months of age with INSS Stage 4 and all stage 3 participants with favorable biologic features (ie, nonamplified MYCN, favorable pathology, and DNA index \> 1) are not eligible.
2. Lactating females are not eligible unless they have agreed not to breastfeed their infants.
3. Participants receiving any investigational drug concurrently.
4. Participants with any other medical condition, including but not limited to malabsorption syndromes, mental illness or substance abuse, deemed by the Investigator to be likely to interfere with the interpretation of the results or which would interfere with a participant's ability to sign or the legal guardian's ability to sign the informed consent, and participant's ability to cooperate and participate in the study
Where it's running
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University of Alabama/Children's of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
Oakland, California, United States Recruiting -
Rady Children's Hospital
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting -
Connecticut Children's Hospital
Hartford, Connecticut, United States Recruiting -
Nicklaus Children's Miami
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting
Show 22 more locations
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Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting -
St. Joseph's Children's Hospital
Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Augusta University Health
Augusta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Recruiting -
Norton Children's Research Institute/Affiliated with University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, Kentucky, United States Recruiting -
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Children's Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting -
Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center
St Louis, Missouri, United States Recruiting -
Levine Children's Hospital
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Randall Children's Hospital
Portland, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Children's Hospital
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Dell Children's Blood and Cancer Center
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Children's Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada Recruiting -
CHU Sainte-Justine
Montreal, Quebec, Canada Recruiting -
Chuq
Québec, Quebec, Canada Recruiting -
CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada Recruiting -
St. Lukes
Boise, Idaho, United States Completed -
Advocate Aurora Research Institute
Chicago, Illinois, United States Completed -
Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
Kansas City, Missouri, United States Completed -
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, New Jersey, United States Completed
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: BCC Enroll
- Email: BCCEnroll@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
- Phone: 7175310003
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This project tests whether regular blood tests measuring circulating tumor DNA and molecular residual disease can track disease status and detect relapse earlier in children with neuroblastoma.
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.