Dinutuximab beta in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma: A follow-up of a case series in Bratislava

Abstract

Despite therapeutic advances, high-risk neuroblastoma is still associated with a poor long-term prognosis. Immunotherapy with the anti-GD2 antibody dinutuximab beta has recently been added to the standard of care for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma in our center in Bratislava, and our initial experience with dinutuximab beta has been reported previously. Here we provide a follow-up on the outcomes of 7 patients who were treated with dinutuximab beta under clinical practice conditions at our center.Medical records of 31 patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 2017 and 2020 at the Children's Hematology and Oncology Clinic in Bratislava were retrospectively reviewed and 7 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma who were treated with dinutuximab beta were identified. All 7 patients received dinutuximab beta as continuous infusion over 10 days at a dose of 10 mg/m2/day for 5 cycles, following induction and consolidation therapy. Supportive therapy was administered to manage adverse events. Clinical outcomes and treatment tolerance were evaluated.Six of 7 patients treated with dinutuximab beta achieved complete remission, with a median duration of response of 21.5 months as of January 2022, and 1 displayed stable disease 21 months after treatment completion. Treatment was tolerable in most patients, with the majority of adverse events managed with supportive care.Dinutuximab beta is an effective immunotherapy for patients with high-risk neuroblastoma in routine clinical practice when coupled with optimal supportive management of adverse events.