Immune cell boost shows promise against childhood cancers
NCT ID NCT01875601
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tested whether giving activated natural killer (NK) cells, with or without a protein called rhIL15, is safe and feasible for children and young adults with solid tumors that didn't respond to other treatments. Sixteen participants received chemotherapy to lower their immune system, then infusions of their own lab-grown NK cells. Some also got rhIL15 to help the cells work better. The main goals were to see if the cells could be made in large enough numbers and if the treatment caused serious 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
- activated natural killer (NK) cells and recombinant human interleukin-15 (rhIL15)
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could point toward a new treatment option for children and young adults with solid tumors that haven't responded to standard therapies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 trial with only 16 participants, so it's mainly checking safety and feasibility. The treatment may not shrink tumors or work for everyone, and there are risks from chemotherapy and the NK cell infusion.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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