Cook Children's Neuroblastoma Program
Offering the most advanced therapies and comprehensive care for newly diagnosed and relapsed neuroblastoma.
Cook Children's Neuroblastoma Program
Why choose Cook Children's for neuroblastoma care
Our high-risk Neuroblastoma Care team runs one of the largest comprehensive treatment programs in the country and offers a wide array of clinical trial options. Trials are available from onset of diagnosis through all stages of neuroblastoma.
In recent years, we have seen the development of new therapies such as targeted agents and biologics that are changing the landscape of neuroblastoma care. These therapies have improved outcomes for patients and include:
- Immunotherapies: We offer a variety of these innovative therapies, which use the patient's own immune system to target neuroblastoma cells. We offer access to approved treatments, as well as to the latest therapies through our clinical trials program — an effort we began with the first neuroblastoma immunotherapy trial in 2000. Immunotherapy can be used alone or given in combination with chemotherapy.
- I-131 MIBG therapy: In 2014, we became the first center to bring this targeted therapy to Texas. I-131 MIBG therapy targets neuroblastoma cells throughout the body, while leaving healthy cells untouched.
- Molecular targeted therapy: At times, we can match therapies to specific cancer targets, represented by genetic mutations and changes in tumors. One such target that can be seen in neuroblastoma is the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. It can be matched to medications that block the altered ALK gene from helping neuroblastoma cells grow and spread. Initially approved to treat non-small cell lung cancer in adults, these therapies have shown benefit for patients with neuroblastoma.
- Cellular immunotherapy: This promising targeted therapy for children and young adults combines natural killer (NK) cells with other immunotherapies in clinical trials.
Call for a consult/referral
We invite you to give us a call and our care coordinators in
Cook Children's Global Health Services team will help you take care of everything.
682-303-1390
Collaborating to drive discovery
At Cook Children's, new therapies are standard practice. As an integral part of our Neuroblastoma Program, we are active participants in clinical research, the mechanism to bring the newest therapies to the patient's bedside. We collaborate with researchers across the country to test innovative therapies targeted to each patient's cancer profile. In addition to conducting our own individually sponsored clinical trials, our team has helped design and conduct trials with these research consortiums:
- New Approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT)
- Children's Oncology Group (COG)
- PEP-CTN
- Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR)
- Active neuroblastoma research studies
Cook Children's has also been a National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) transplant center since 1990.
Meet our Neuroblastoma team at Cook Children's
-
Angela Brentlinger, NP, PA
MSN, RN, CPNP
-
Tracy Easley, RN
Neuroblastoma Nurse Coordinator
-
Miguel de la Guardia
Radiation Safety Officer
Collaborating to deliver individualized care for neuroblastoma
Our Neuroblastoma Program is a specialty program within the Hematology and Oncology Center at Cook Children's. As experts in pediatric cancer care, we bring together a multidisciplinary team to care for each patient. Our team includes:
- Child Life specialists
- Dietitians
- Family therapists
- Nurse practitioners and coordinators
- Oncologists
- Radiation oncologists
- Social workers
- Surgeons
- Clinical pharmacists/PharmD
From diagnosis through treatment, we work closely with patients, families and referring physicians to coordinate care.
Call for referrals: 682-303-1390
Supporting your patient is in our DNA
At Cook Children's, we treat families as partners and put them at the center of our approach, supporting not only patients but also their caregivers. We provide assistance for the entire family to ease the stress of diagnosis and treatment.
We offer:
- Full range of family support and resources
- Help with temporary relocation through the Ronald McDonald House
Designations and recognition
When you refer a patient to Cook Children's Neuroblastoma Program, you can trust that you're choosing a team with the expertise, resources and commitment to provide the best care possible.
Cook Children's Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplant Program is accredited through the Foundation for Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT).
The Magnet® designation is considered the international gold standard of nursing excellence. Cook Children's Medical Center is the first pediatric medical center in North Texas, and the 10th in the world, to receive this prestigious designation four consecutive times.
Cook Children's is recognized as a Top Children's Hospital nationally by The Leapfrog Group. This award highlights our widely recognized achievements in patient safety and quality.
Request an appointment
At Cook Children's, we respond to patient referrals quickly and efficiently. We understand the critical needs of your patients. Our team is here to answer questions if you are unsure whether a patient needs to be seen in our clinic. For those patients who do need care at Cook Children's, our clinical coordinators will work directly with you and your patient's family throughout each step of their journey.
Call 682-303-1390 Download consult/referral form 682-885-2557 fax
Coming from outside of Texas?
Our team in Global Health Services supports families who travel to Cook Children's for medical care from across the country and around the world.
Our concierge service is here to help with every detail. We work with families to:
- Schedule appointments
- Plan travel
- Find accommodations
- Offer financial counseling and insurance approvals
- Arrange translation services
Please call 682-303-1390 to speak to our Global Health Services care coordinator if you need help with out-of-state or international referrals. You can also email us at GlobalHealthServices@cookchildrens.org.