Summary
Neuroblastoma is one of the more common solid tumours in children and young adults. Some cases are considered high-risk, meaning the cancer is harder to treat. In these children, the cancer may not respond to standard treatment (refractory) or come back after treatment (relapsed). Because of this, new and better treatments are still needed.
The BEACON2 trial is studying new combinations of medicines to improve outcomes for children with relapsed neuroblastoma.
The main goals are to:
- Improve how long children live after their cancer comes back
- Test new combinations of treatments
- Check how safe these treatments are and how well they work
- Understand how treatment affects children's quality of life
- Learn more about the biology of neuroblastoma to help develop targeted treatments in the future
How the study works
The BEACON2 study has two parts, called tiers.
Tier 1 is the main part of the study and will initially have two treatment arms. Children will be randomly assigned (by chance) to receive one of the following treatments:
- Arm A: Dinutuximab beta immunotherapy, plus irinotecan and temozolomide chemotherapy.
- Arm B: Bevacizumab targeted therapy, plus irinotecan and temozolomide chemotherapy.
Treatment will be given every 3 weeks, for up to 12 cycles.
In Tier 2 newer or more experimental combinations will be evaluated to check the safest and most effective dose. These have potential to move to Tier 1.
- Arm C: Dinutuximab immunotherapy, bevacizumab targeted therapy and irinotecan and temozolomide chemotherapy.
Who can take part?
Children aged 1 year or older who are diagnosed with relapsed neuroblastoma are eligible to take part. Around 160 children are expected to take part overall.
The study is expected to recruit patients for 3 years, and then finish patient follow-up after an additional 5 years.
What samples will be collected?
As part of standard care, children with relapsed neuroblastoma usually already have:
- A tumour sample from when they were first diagnosed
- Blood tests during treatment
- Bone marrow tests to confirm relapse
In this study, researchers will also collected extra samples at the same time to better understand how neuroblastoma works, see how treatments affect the cancer, and help develop more personalised treatments in the future.