Neuroblastoma Program
Our innovative approach
Research is a top priority at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center, and our physicians work continuously to translate laboratory findings into clinical therapies.
It’s possible that your child will be eligible to participate in one of the Neuroblastoma Program’s current clinical trials. In addition to launching our own clinical trials, we offer clinical trials for newly diagnosed patients through the Children's Oncology Group. We also offer the most Phase I studies in New England for children whose disease has recurred through the Children's Oncology Group and the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) consortium.
Current areas of innovative treatments include:
- I-131 MIBG, a radioisotope proven to effectively target and kill neuroblastoma cells for children with recurrent neuroblastoma
- employing angiogenesis inhibitors which may be able to prevent the growth of tumors by blocking the formation of new blood vessels that feed the tumors
- biological therapies that help the body's own immune system to fight cancer or lessen harmful side effects of some treatments
For more information on COG and NANT research, visit:
Survivors & long-term care
As research leads the way to improved therapies, the number of children diagnosed with neuroblastoma and surviving into adulthood is increasing. It’s important for all childhood cancer survivors to pay special attention to their daily health, so they can quickly address any side effects or secondary conditions caused by their cancer treatment.
We encourage long-term care through the David B. Perini Jr. Quality of Life Clinic, which offers access to experts who can address health concerns such as intellectual function, hormonal evaluation and treatment, neurological assessment, and dental evaluation and treatment.
The Clinic welcomes childhood cancer survivors of all ages. Please call (617) 632-5124 for more information or to make an appointment.
