End-of-Induction Response and Tolerability of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Treated with Chemoimmunotherapy—Modified N7 Regimen with Dinutuximab Beta

<b>Background</b>: The integration of anti-disialoganglioside GD2 (anti-GD2) immunotherapy during induction chemotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy to improve outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB). This study evaluated the end-of-induction (EOI) response and tolerability of a modified N7 induction regimen combined with dinutuximab beta in a Hong Kong paediatric cohort. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective territory-wide analysis was conducted on nine HR-NB patients treated from 2022 to 2025. They received a modified N7 chemotherapy backbone with dinutuximab beta (17.5 mg/m<sup>2</sup>/day for 4 days per cycle), alongside granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and low-dose interleukin-2. Response was assessed using the Revised International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC), and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for adverse events (CTCAE). <b>Results</b>: The EOI objective response rate was 78% (7/9 patients) for the primary tumour site and 100% at metastatic sites. No patient exhibited progressive disease. A modified Curie score of ≤2 on MIBG scan was achieved in 78% of patients. Grade 3 or higher toxicities, including neutropenic fever, enterocolitis, and capillary leak syndrome, were observed in eight patients but were manageable. <b>Conclusions</b>: The incorporation of dinutuximab beta into a modified N7 induction regimen demonstrates a satisfactory EOI response rate and a manageable safety profile in children with HR-NB. These preliminary results support the feasibility of this chemoimmunotherapy approach and warrant further investigation in larger cohorts to confirm its efficacy in long-term survival outcomes.

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Journal
Cancers
Published
2026-03-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18061028
Primary Topic
Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
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article
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article

End-of-Induction Response and Tolerability of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Treated with Chemoimmunotherapy—Modified N7 Regimen with Dinutuximab Beta

Anthony P. Y. Liu, Matthew M. K. Shing, Ho Ming Cheung, Eric Fu et al.
Cancers
Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
article

End-of-Induction Response and Tolerability of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Treated with Chemoimmunotherapy—Modified N7 Regimen with Dinutuximab Beta

Anthony P. Y. Liu, Matthew M. K. Shing, Ho Ming Cheung, Eric Fu, Evelyn R. Lu, Dennis T. L. Ku, K. F. Kevin Fung, Anselm C. W. Lee, Jeffrey P. W. Yau, Christy Y. K. Mak, Calvin P. L. Hoo, Sylvia L. Y. Chang, Godfrey C. F. Chan, I. W. C. Wong
article en

Abstract

<b>Background</b>: The integration of anti-disialoganglioside GD2 (anti-GD2) immunotherapy during induction chemotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy to improve outcomes in high-risk neuroblastoma (HR-NB). This study evaluated the end-of-induction (EOI) response and tolerability of a modified N7 induction regimen combined with dinutuximab beta in a Hong Kong paediatric cohort. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective territory-wide analysis was conducted on nine HR-NB patients treated from 2022 to 2025. They received a modified N7 chemotherapy backbone with dinutuximab beta (17.5 mg/m<sup>2</sup>/day for 4 days per cycle), alongside granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and low-dose interleukin-2. Response was assessed using the Revised International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC), and toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for adverse events (CTCAE). <b>Results</b>: The EOI objective response rate was 78% (7/9 patients) for the primary tumour site and 100% at metastatic sites. No patient exhibited progressive disease. A modified Curie score of ≤2 on MIBG scan was achieved in 78% of patients. Grade 3 or higher toxicities, including neutropenic fever, enterocolitis, and capillary leak syndrome, were observed in eight patients but were manageable. <b>Conclusions</b>: The incorporation of dinutuximab beta into a modified N7 induction regimen demonstrates a satisfactory EOI response rate and a manageable safety profile in children with HR-NB. These preliminary results support the feasibility of this chemoimmunotherapy approach and warrant further investigation in larger cohorts to confirm its efficacy in long-term survival outcomes.

CancersVol. 18(6)
Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK), Hospital for Sick Children (CA), Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital (CN), Queen Elizabeth Hospital (CN), University of Hong Kong (HK)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
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