Phase I Study of Chemokine and Cytokine Gene Modified Allogeneic Neuroblastoma Cells For Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma Using a Retroviral Vector

Neuroblastoma affects approximately 500 children a year in the United States. When the tumor occurs in infants, it is frequently localized and responds well to therapy. Even disseminated disease can be eradicated in about 75% of infants, and indeed may undergo spontaneous remission. In older children, the prognosis is far worse, and 80% or more of those with disseminated tumor can be expected to relapse within 3 years.

This study will utilize the concept of exploiting the immune system to eradicate neuroblastoma. In tumors in which there is consistent expression of tumor specific antigens as part of the malignant process, it may be possible to generate immune T-cells ex-vivo or in-vivo by using the specific protein or peptide(s) derived therefrom and eradicate the tumor. This study will evaluate the use of four to eight injections of IL-2 gene-transduced autologous neuroblastoma cells to induce a local, polyclonal T-cell infiltrate as well as an anti-tumor immune response.