Scientists in the
The disease is caused by the development of cancerous cells in neural crest nerve cells, which play a key role in the development of the nervous system. This leads to the growth of tumors in nerve tissues in areas such as the adrenal glands, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Neuroblastoma Treatments
Currently the cancer is treated through a variety of means including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and stem cell replacement with six in ten patients experiencing a successful outcome from these traditional methods of treatment. However, a recent study in the
Immunotherapy for Neuroblastoma
The study, led by Dr Alice Yu, a professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the
Immunotherapy involves boosting the body’s immune system by introducing agents that attach themselves to neuroblastoma cells that may have survived previous treatments. The agents operate as antibody markers for the patient’s own immune system, encouraging it to attack and destroy the lingering cancer cells, thus reducing the risk of relapse.
After two years, 66 percent of the surviving study patients receiving the immunotherapy were deemed free of cancer as compared with 46 percent of those who did not receive the treatment. As a result, all of the patients involved in the trial were started on a course of immunotherapy alongside the standard treatment. Dr. Yu noted, “This is the first time in many years that we have been able to improve the 'cure rate' for neuroblastoma patients. This new therapy can help us improve care and perhaps offer new hope to many patients and families."
The encouraging result has paved the way for further investigation of the effects of immunotherapy on neuroblastoma patients, with Cancer Research
The
The survival statistics quoted here are wrong, U.S. statistics are being used but the trial is not the same as the trial that has proven so successful in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteU.S. survival statistics for base treatment are 40%. UK survival statistics are 20%. Alice Yu's study showed survival rates increased to 66% using antibody therapy which involves two very important cytokines:- IL2 and GM-CSF.
The UK trial consists of antibody only, although 50% children will be randomised to receive IL2. None of the UK children will receive GM-CSF because it's "too difficult to get hold of".
A German study 5 years ago showed antibody by itself does not work. Pepe Brock herself told patients this at the conclusion of this study. Yet 50% of children with this disease are now being given antibody alone, a treatment that is painful on infusion and incurs weeks in hospital. The ethics of the UK 'trial' are heavily in question. So many children are travelling to the US to participate in YU's study because of the UK inadequacies, this fact has put pressure on the UK to bring treatment here. It is however, a half-hearted attempt at something that has proven successful in the States. It is unethical to give these children something which has been shown not to work, in an attempt to 'be seen' to do the right thing.