The graft‐versus‐neuroblastoma effect of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a review of clinical and experimental evidence and a perspective on mechanisms

Abstract Despite aggressive treatment, patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma face high relapse rates and bleak prognoses. Increasing evidence that neuroblastoma cells are or can become immunogenic has stimulated research into novel therapies based on triggering or enhancing tumor immunity. Here we review clinical and experimental studies on this subject, the underlying immune mechanisms and perspectives for clinical application. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has proven to be of substantial benefit in the treatment of certain leukemias through the generation of a graft‐versus‐leukemia‐effect and has become of interest as a possible treatment for patients with solid tumors, including neuroblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2151–2157. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.