Anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy postconsolidation therapy for people with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant disease that primarily affects children. The tumours mainly develop in the adrenal medullary tissue, and an abdominal mass is the most common presentation. High-risk disease is characterised by metastasis and other primary tumour characteristics resulting in increased risk for an adverse outcome. The GD2 carbohydrate antigen is expressed on the cell surface of neuroblastoma tumour cells and is thus a promising target for anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy. Objectives To assess the efficacy of anti-GD2 antibody-containing postconsolidation immunotherapy after high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) compared to standard therapy after HDCT and autologous HSCT in people with high-risk neuroblastoma. Our primary outcomes were overall survival and treatment-related mortality. Our secondary outcomes were progression-free survival, event-free survival, early toxicity, late non-haematological toxicity, and health-related quality of life. Search methods We searched the electronic databases CENTRAL (2018, Issue 9), MEDLINE (PubMed), and Embase (Ovid) on 20 September 2018. We searched trial registries and conference proceedings on 28 October 2018. Further searches included reference lists of recent reviews and relevant articles as well as contacting experts in the field. There were no limits on publication year or language. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials evaluating anti-GD2 antibody-containing immunotherapy after HDCT and autologous HSCT in people with high-risk neuroblastoma.