Understanding the tumor microenvironment in children's solid tumors to improve adoptive cell therapy

Dissecting Tumour MicroenvirOnment in Solid Paediatric Tumour to Improve Adoptive Cell Therapy

Observational Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia · NCT07240207

We will analyze tumor samples from children with solid tumors to see if features of the tumor environment can help guide better adoptive T cell therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment44 (estimated)
Ages1 Day to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorFondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsimmunotherapy
Locations1 site (Pavia, Pavia)
Trial IDNCT07240207 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project collects and analyzes tumor samples from pediatric patients with a range of solid tumors to map immune and cellular features of the tumor microenvironment. Researchers preserved primary cells from 42 neoplasms representing neuroblastomas, sarcomas, nephroblastomas, lymphomas, teratomas and other rare pediatric tumors and stabilized five cell lines for laboratory studies. The team is using these materials, together with tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines derived from healthy adult donors, to test how tumor antigens and local immune conditions influence T cell responses in vitro. Results are intended to identify targetable antigens and microenvironmental barriers that could inform the design of more effective adoptive cell therapies for children.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Children and adolescents up to 18 years old diagnosed with solid tumors are the intended participants for sample collection at the participating center.

Not a fit: Patients over 18 or those with non-solid malignancies would not be eligible and are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets or strategies that make adoptive T cell therapies more effective for children with solid tumors.

How similar studies have performed: Related translational and adult adoptive cell therapy programs have shown promise, but applying these approaches to pediatric solid tumors remains more challenging and requires specific tumor microenvironment data.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* pediatric patients 0-18 years
* affected by solid tumors

Exclusion Criteria:

* patients over 18
* non-solid malignancies

Where this trial is running

Pavia, Pavia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pediatric Solid Tumors
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.