Journal Article DKFZ-2026-01293

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png
A pilot study combining primary busulfan-based haploidentical stem cell transplantation with GD2 antibody to treat high-risk neuroblastoma.

 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;

2026
Springer Nature London

Bone marrow transplantation nn, nn () [10.1038/s41409-026-02912-2]
 GO

Abstract: Very high-risk neuroblastoma is induction-refractory and often harbors mutations in RAS and/or p53 signaling combined with telomere maintenance mechanisms. Event-free survival is <20% in these children. Patients unable to mobilize sufficient hematopoietic stem cells to harvest for busulfan/melphalan-based high-dose chemotherapy before autologous transplantation are also at high risk for relapse. Haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT), offering graft-versus-tumor effects and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, has emerged as a feasible treatment. We report administration of a conditioning regimen combining myeloablative busulfan/melphalan anti-tumor therapy with the immunological advantages of haplo-SCT and GD2-directed antibody-based immunotherapy with dinutuximab beta (DB). A 5-patient pilot cohort was treated with systemic induction (salvage) therapy and local therapy per national guidelines. Prior to busulfan, melphalan, fludarabine and antithymocyte globulin conditioning followed by T/B-cell-depleted haplo-SCT and 6 DB cycles, 2 patients received [131I]MIBG therapy. All patients were successfully engrafted. Three of five patients are alive and have remained in first complete remission for 7.3, 6.3 and 1.5 years after haplo-SCT, while two patients experienced events (one relapse, one non-relapse death). Primary busulfan-based haplo-SCT combined with DB immunotherapy was feasible and effective. Early results suggest a survival benefit for these pediatric patient subgroups at very high risk. Confirmation in a larger controlled trial is warranted.

Classification:

Note: #DKTKZFB26# / #NCTZFB26# / epub

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Berlin (BE01)
  2. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Tübingen (TU01)
  3. Koordinierungsstelle NCT Berlin (BR01)
Research Program(s):
  1. 899 - ohne Topic (POF4-899) (POF4-899)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Springer ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection
Click to display QR Code for this record

The record appears in these collections:
Document types > Articles > Journal Article
Public records
Publications database

 Record created 2026-06-01, last modified 2026-06-01



Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)