Scientists in Europe testing to see if boosting the immune system can prevent the return of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. The disease – a cancer of developing nervous system tissue – is most often found in children under five and accounts for about a sixth of child cancer deaths. The trial will monitor 160 UK children over four years.
The European trial builds on early promising results from a US study which found immunotherapy improved the chances of survival from the disease.
The cancer develops in specialized nerve cells, called neural crest cells. These primitive cells are involved in the development of the nervous system and other tissues. Tumors often develop in one of the adrenal glands but may also form in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
Overall, six out of 10 children are successfully treated through treatment such as surgery and chemotherapy – but the prognosis is not as good for children with advanced forms of the disease.
It works by hunting down neuroblastoma cells that have survived conventional treatment and attaching antibodies to specific molecules on their surface. These antibodies then mobilize the body's immune defenses to attack and destroy the cells.
Case study
Sophie McGuire developed symptoms soon after her second birthday in January this year. Initially doctors thought she had a virus affecting her hips, but her condition deteriorated – she was constantly tired and lost a lot of weight.
After extensive tests she was diagnosed with advanced neuroblastoma in April. Scans showed she had cancerous tissue wrapped around the arteries leading to her kidneys, and secondary cancer in her arms, legs and pelvis.
She has had regular chemotherapy and blood transfusions at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital. At one point she required intensive care after her lungs became dangerously inflamed, and she was unable to eat anything by mouth for several months. Her father James said: "We are obviously pleased that this new part of the trial has been launched and Sophie will be part of it."
Lead researcher Dr Penelope Brock, a consultant pediatric oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: "Early results from the US trial found that children who received the immunotherapy treatment had less chance of the disease coming back two years later, compared with the patients who did not receive the immunotherapy.
"We need to build on these results and devise better immunotherapy approaches that improve survival further."
The UK trial – in which all eligible children will receive immunotherapy – will attempt to reduce the severe side effects seen in the US study.
James McGuire from Harrow Weald in North London, has a two-year-old daughter, Sophie, who will take part in the trial. He said: "Based on the positive outcomes from the earlier trial, I am hopeful that this treatment will play a critical role in saving Sophie's life."
This trial will be open to high-risk neuroblastoma patients who are nine months from diagnosis and within four months of the last round of aggressive treatment to control the tumour.
Source: BBC News
