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.
Authors
- Anthony P. Y. Liu
- Matthew M. K. Shing (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6641-9854)
- Ho Ming Cheung
- Eric Fu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3578-117X)
- Evelyn R. Lu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8079-1845)
- 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
Institutions
- 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)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cancers
- Published
- 2026-03-23
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18061028
- Primary Topic
- Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00