Engineered immune cells take on childhood cancer

NCT ID NCT03294954

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This early-stage trial tests a new approach for children with neuroblastoma that has come back or not responded to standard treatment. Researchers take the child's own natural killer T cells, add genes to help them recognize and attack neuroblastoma cells, and give them back along with a drug called Etanercept. The goal is to find a safe dose and see if the cells can shrink tumors.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

GINAKIT cells (genetically modified natural killer T cells) with or without Etanercept

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a new treatment option for children with hard-to-treat neuroblastoma by using the body's own immune cells to attack the cancer.

What could go wrong

This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 70 participants, so it is too soon to know if it works. The modified cells may cause side effects or not shrink tumors, and combining them with Etanercept adds unknown risks.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neuroblastoma

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Texas Children's Hospital

    RECRUITING

    Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••