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Access to early phase clinical trials for children with relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma. A multicentre international study.
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  • Marta Cortes,
  • Fernando Carceller,
  • Alba Rubio-San-Simon,
  • Sucheta Vaidya,
  • Francisco Bautista,
  • Lucas Moreno
Marta Cortes
Hospital Materno Infantil

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Fernando Carceller
Royal Marsden Hospital Sutton
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Alba Rubio-San-Simon
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
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Sucheta Vaidya
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation trust
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Francisco Bautista
Hospital Infantil Universitario Nino Jesus
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Lucas Moreno
Vall d'Hebron Hospital
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Abstract

Objectives. Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumour in children, and prognosis for refractory and relapsed disease is still poor. Early Phase clinical trials play a pivotal role in the development of novel drugs. Ensuring adequate recruitment is crucial. The primary aim was to determine the rate of participation trials for children with refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma in two of the largest Drug Development European institutions. Methods. Data from patients diagnosed with refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma between January 2012 and December 2018 at the two institutions were collected and analysed. Results. Overall, 48 patients were included. A total of 31 (65%) refractory/relapsed cases were enrolled in early Phase trials. The main reasons for not participating in clinical trials included: not fulfilling eligibility criteria prior to consent (12/17, 70%) and screening failure (2/17, 12%). Median time on trial was 4.3 months (range 0.6-13.4). Most common cause for trial discontinuation was disease progression (67.7%). Median overall survival was longer in refractory (28 months, 95% CI, 20.9-40.2) than in relapsed patients (14 months, 95% CI, 8.1-20.1)) [p=0,034]. Conclusions. Although two thirds of children with refractory/relapsed neuroblastoma were enrolled in early Phase trials, recruitment rates can still be improved. The main cause for not participating on trials was not fulfilling eligibility criteria prior to consent, mainly due to performance status and short life expectancy. This study highlights the hurdles to access to innovative therapies for children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastomas and identifies key areas of development to improve recruitment to early phase trials.
25 Jul 2021Submission Checks Completed
25 Jul 2021Assigned to Editor
25 Jul 2021Submitted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer
29 Jul 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Major
09 Nov 20211st Revision Received
09 Nov 2021Submission Checks Completed
09 Nov 2021Assigned to Editor
11 Nov 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Nov 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Nov 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Dec 2021Submission Checks Completed
10 Dec 2021Assigned to Editor
10 Dec 20212nd Revision Received
11 Dec 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
11 Dec 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Aug 2022Published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer volume 69 issue 8. 10.1002/pbc.29551