New hope for kids with tough neuroblastoma: triple therapy trial launches
NCT ID NCT02914405
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-phase trial tests a combination of three treatments—radioactive iodine (131-I-MIBG), an immunotherapy drug (nivolumab), and an antibody (dinutuximab beta)—in children whose high-risk neuroblastoma has come back or not responded to standard therapy. The main goal is to see if the combination is safe and tolerable. About 44 children across hospitals in the UK, Germany, and the US will take part. If the full-dose combination is safe, the study will also look for signs that it shrinks tumors.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nivolumab and dinutuximab beta combined with radioactive iodine (131-I-MIBG)
- What this could lead to
- If this combination proves safe and effective, it could offer a new treatment option for children with hard-to-treat neuroblastoma.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 1 trial with a small number of participants, so it is primarily testing safety. The combination may not work or could cause serious side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 44 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2018
- Expected to finish
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Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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1 year to 99 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * At study entry patients must be \> 1 year * Relapsed or refractory high risk neuroblastoma (as defined by International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) criteria) * MIBG avid disease on imaging within 4 weeks to study entry. * ≥ 3 months since any myeloablative chemotherapy / stem cell rescue * ≥ 42 days since any other immunotherapy e.g. tumour vaccines. At least 3 half lives since last dose of any monoclonal antibody therapy. * Patients must have a performance status greater or equal 60% (Lansky Score or Karnofsky) * Estimated life expectancy ≥ 12 weeks * Adequate bone marrow function: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) \>1.0 x 10/L, platelets, 20 x 10/L and haemoglobin \> 8.0 g/dL. * Adequate renal function: serum creatinine \<1.5 mg/dL or a estimated creatinine clearance or radioisotope Glomerular Filtration Rate Study (GFR) of \> 60 mL/minute/1.73m2. * Adequate cardiac function: shortening fraction of 28 % by echocardiogram. * Adequate hepatic function: Alanine transaminase (ALT) or Aspartate transaminase (AST) \< 5 x ULN and a total bilirubin \< 1.5 x Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) * Adequate lung function: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) \>60% of the predicted by pulmonary function tests. Children unable to do Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) should have no dyspnea at rest and a pulse oximetry \>94% on room air. * Adequate pancreatic function: serum lipase \< 1.5 x upper limit normal * Patients may have had prior Central Nervous System (CNS) metastasis at point of entry to study, but patients with mIBG avid parenchymal brain lesions will be excluded. All CNS disease must be treated and stable prior for at least 4 weeks prior to starting trial 131-I mIBG therapy (see section 4). Patients with extra-axial disease (e.g. skull (bone) metastasis that do not invade the dura) may be enrolled providing there is no evidence of brain oedema. * Patients must consent to the placement of a central venous line, if one has not already been placed. * Patients must have no immediate requirements for palliative chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery. * Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test. Patients of childbearing potential must agree to use an effective birth control method. Female patients who are lactating must agree to stop breast-feeding. * Patients with seizure disorders may be enrolled if seizures are well controlled. * All patients and/or their parents or legal guardians must sign a written informed consent * All institutional and national requirements for clinical trials must be met. * Expression of PD-L1 by tumour is not a pre-requisite * Parents or carers willing and able to comply with radiation safety measures needed for 131-I mIBG administration. * Patient must be judged capable of tolerating isolation procedures associated with 131-I-mIBG therapy Exclusion Criteria * Patients who have previously received ch14.18 (CHO or SP2/0) will not be excluded unless they have had severe or life threatening toxicity necessitating withdrawal of treatment previously or if they have a strong/neutralizing Human Antichimeric Antibody (HACA) (≥ 10 μg/ml) * Patients who have had previous 131-I mIBG therapy will not be excluded * Patients previously treated with Nivolumab or any other PD-1 or PD-L1 targeting antibodies will be excluded from the study * Previous allogeneic stem cell transplant or solid organ transplant * Patients should be excluded if they have an active, known or suspected autoimmune disease. Subjects are permitted to enroll if they have vitiligo, type I diabetes mellitus, residual hypothyroidism due to autoimmune condition only requiring hormone replacement, psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment, or conditions not expected to recur in the absence of an external trigger * Patients receiving systemic corticosteroids (other than physiological replacement) or other immunosuppressive agents within 14 days prior to study entry * Unable to maintain platelets ≥ 50 x 109/l without transfusion * HIV or Hepatitis B or C infection * Patients with significant intercurrent illnesses and/or any of the following: * Patients with symptoms of congestive heart failure or uncontrolled cardiac rhythm disturbance. * Patients with significant psychiatric disabilities or uncontrolled seizure disorders. * Patients with active infections. * Patients with a clinically significant neurologic deficit or objective peripheral neuropathy (Grade \>2) are ineligible. * Patients with clinically significant, symptomatic, pleural effusions. * Patients who require, or are likely to require, corticosteroid or other immunosuppressive drugs.
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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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University College London Hospital
London, London, NW1 2BU, United Kingdom
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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 6YD, United Kingdom
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University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; UW Hospital and Clinics; American Family Children's Hospital
Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a shorter chemo combo tame High-Risk neuroblastoma?
- Can a radioactive 'Smart Bomb' take down resistant childhood cancers?