Project 467077

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the second most common pediatric solid tumor cancer of immature nerve cells. NB tumors have a diverse range of clinical behaviors, from spontaneous regression in infants under 24 months to a highly recurrent and aggressive malignancy in children older than 24 months.The current therapies for high-risk NB are multi-modal, involving surgery, radiation, and high-dose combination chemotherapy. These therapies carry significant harmful side effects, such as neurological and developmental problems. Furthermore, high-risk NB patients tend to resist these treatments and have a higher chance of tumor recurrence. Therefore, it is imperative to invest in developing new targeted therapeutics against high-risk NB that improve clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. I aim to combine two different current treatment techniques that capitalize on the cytotoxic activity of NK cells along with the specific antibody-mediated recognition of NB cells. I will also use a family of experimental cancer drugs called SMAC mimetics to increase NK cytotoxicity and persistence, which are common issues faced with these types of treatments. I plan to ensure the safety and efficacy of the therapeutic in animal and neuroblastoma models, providing an improved targeted tool to fight high-risk NB tumors.