Engineered t cells take on childhood cancer in early trial

NCT ID NCT01822652

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: Baylor College of Medicine Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This early-phase trial tests a new type of immune therapy for children with neuroblastoma that has come back or not responded to treatment. Researchers take a patient's own T cells, add new genes to help them recognize and kill neuroblastoma cells and survive longer, then infuse them back. The study also uses chemotherapy and an additional drug (pembrolizumab) to boost the cells' effectiveness. The main goal is to find the safest dose and check for side effects.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: genetically modified T cells (iC9-GD2 T cells) plus chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide and fludarabine) and pembrolizumab
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a more effective treatment for children with hard-to-treat neuroblastoma by helping immune cells survive longer and kill cancer cells.
What could go wrong: This is a very early, small phase 1 trial with only 11 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The modified cells could cause serious side effects, and the treatment may not shrink tumors.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

neuroblastoma Recurrence

As listed by the trial registrant

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

NEUROBLASTOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Houston Methodist Hospital

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
Texas Children's Hospital

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

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