In this May’s All-Member and Community Webinar, Gavin Lindberg (The EVAN Foundation) hosted physician investigators from the New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) clinical trials consortium who presented their work on defining genetic and biologic changes in a patient’s specific tumor that can be used to guide the development of novel more effective therapies, and the choice of therapy for an individual patient. They also discussed the implications of this approach to pediatric cancer in general.
Dr. Shahab Asgharzadeh presented about New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) Precision Medicine Trial, identifying biomarkers for targeted and immune based therapies. Dr. Asgharzadeh explained the trial and its aims at discovering novel genetic and immune-related biomarkers while empowering physicians and patients to seek novel therapies.
Dr. Yael Mosse presented Targeting ALK-driven neuroblastoma with Lorlatinib, a potent and selective next-generation ALK inhibitor. Dr. Mosse discussed the role of ALK in neuroblastoma, challenges to date in effective targeting of this oncogene, and advantages/opportunities with this new inhibitor.