Ruzanna Papyan: Week 4 of the Global Access To Anti-GD2 Campaign

Ruzanna Papyan shared on LinkedIn:

“Week 4 of the Global Access To Anti-GD2 Campaign

This week, I recommend exploring the significant role of anti-GD2 therapy in the treatment of relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma, highlighting the findings from a pivotal study.

In a 2020 publication in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, a combination therapy involving irinotecan, temozolomide, dinutuximab (an anti-GD2 therapy), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) demonstrated considerable antitumor activity in children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. The study, conducted by the Children’s Oncology Group, found an objective response rate of 41.5%, with a one-year progression-free survival rate of 67.9% and overall survival rate of 84.9%.

The importance of anti-GD2 therapy, particularly dinutuximab, is underscored in the context of its efficacy in improving survival rates for high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The combined regimen’s success in inducing significant tumor responses highlights the potential of chemoimmunotherapy in frontline settings as well. Additionally, the study revealed that higher trough levels of dinutuximab were associated with better responses, suggesting that optimizing dosing could further enhance outcomes.

For those interested in a deeper understanding of this treatment regimen and its impact, you can access the full paper.

By advocating for the inclusion of anti-GD2 therapies in the World Health Organization Essential Medicines List, we can help ensure these life-saving treatments are available to children globally.

Your support, knowledge sharing, and advocacy are crucial in making this possible.

Let’s work together to provide every child with the best possible chance for a healthier future.”

Source: Ruzanna Papyan/LinkedIn

Ruzanna Papyan is a pediatric oncologist and clinical research physician at the Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, Hematology  Center after Prof. Yeolyan. She is also Head of the Musculoskeletal Multidisciplinary Working Group and Assistant Professor at the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology at Yerevan State Medical University.

Dr. Papyan coordinates educational sessions for the Global Neuroblastoma Network and holds the esteemed position of co-chair of the Adolescents and Young Adults Steering Group at the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP). She is a member of oncology societies, such as AAHO, SOHO, ESMO, ESO, and POEM. Her research interests include soft tissue and bone sarcomas, and neuroblastomas among children and young adults.