The John M. Maris Laboratory and Research Program

Clinical Research

Neuroblastoma Developmental Therapeutics Team (from left to right): Jaclyn Tustin, CRA, Patricia Brophy, CRNP, John M. Maris, MD, and Yael Mosse, MD.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has developed a specialized program for treating patients with neuroblastoma. Patients newly diagnosed with the disease are generally treated by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). Patients with the aggressive form of the disease may be treated on institutional protocols under the direction of Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD. For patients with relapsed or refractory disease, we have developed a team of investigators dedicated to providing options for families. There is an evolving portfolio of clinical trials from various sources, detailed below, that may be open and available. Consultation with the Neuroblastoma Developmental Therapeutics Team is required to determine eligibility and suitability for any trial. After consultation, the team can develop and provide a recommendation for the referring physician. For a virtual tour of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and directions to the Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House, please see www.chop.edu/virtual_tour.

The tables below and links to the "Fast Fact Sheets" are provided to give a brief overview of the Phase I and II trials available at Children's Hospital. Each has unique eligibility requirements, and some studies require patients to store stem cells for re-infusion after therapy. We are available to assist patients by making a study recommendation. Additional information is available at the COG and New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) Web sites.