Emerging and investigational therapies for neuroblastoma

Abstract

Introduction: Treatment for children with clinically aggressive, high-risk neuroblastoma remains challenging. Less than 50% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma will survive long-term with current therapies, and survivors are at risk for serious treatment-related late toxicities. Here, we review new and evolving treatments that may ultimately improve outcome for children with high-risk neuroblastoma with decreased potential for late adverse events.

Areas covered: New strategies for treating high-risk neuroblastoma are reviewed including: radiotherapy, targeted cytotoxics, biologics, immunotherapy, and molecularly targeted agents. Recently completed and ongoing neuroblastoma clinical trials testing these novel treatments are highlighted. In addition, we discuss ongoing clinical trials designed to evaluate precision medicine approaches that target actionable somatic mutations and oncogenic cellular pathways.

Expert opinion: Advances in genomic medicine and molecular biology have led to the development of early phase studies testing biologically rational therapies targeting aberrantly activated cellular pathways. Because many of these drugs have a wider therapeutic index than standard chemotherapeutic agents, these treatments may be more effective and less toxic than current strategies. However, to effectively integrate these targeted strategies, robust predictive biomarkers must be developed that will identify patients who will benefit from these approaches and rapidly match treatments to patients at diagnosis.

Keywords: MIBG; Neuroblastoma; genomic trials; immunotherapy; molecularly targeted drugs.

Figure 1

PI3K and RAS are activated by multiple growth factors in neuroblastoma tumors. This activation leads to cellular proliferation and has been associated with relapsed disease and poor outcomes. Multiple drugs (purple) are in clinical development which inhibit one or more of the proteins in these pathways and may help improve outcomes for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.