Two stem-cell transplants better than one in neuroblastoma

The trial including Australian patients 'has changed current practice', experts say
Reuters Health
child with cancer in hospital with nurse

Two autologous stem-cell transplants provide better event-free survival in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma, compared with a single stem-cell transplant, a clinical trial shows.

Researchers from 142 Children’s Oncology Group centres in five countries, including Australia and New Zealand, investigated whether intensifying consolidation treatment with tandem transplant (two transplants, 6-10 weeks apart) could improve event-free survival compared with a single transplant.