Programme

Hosted by Dr Cormac Owens with a welcome address from Gail Jackson, Chief Executive of Solving Kids' Cancer UK, this session sets the tone for the day, outlining the goals and importance of the parent symposium.

Dr Rochelle Bagatell provides a clear and comprehensive overview of neuroblastoma, including its origins, characteristics, diagnosis, and the standard approaches to treatment. This session is ideal for those seeking to understand the fundamentals of the disease.

Prof Juliet Gray explores the development of therapies administered after frontline treatment to reduce the risk of relapse, and the challenge of studying new therapies for children with no evidence of disease.

An interactive session moderated by Dr Cormac Owens with Dr Rochelle Bagatell and Prof Juliet Gray, providing attendees with an opportunity to ask questions and clarify key aspects of the topics covered in the talks.

Moderated by Prof John Anderson, this session delves into promising strategies for managing relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma, focusing specifically on CAR T-cell therapy. Prof Anderson and Dr Francesca del Bufalo explain how this innovative immunotherapy works, recent advances, and its potential impact for children with neuroblastoma.

A panel discussion featuring Prof  John Anderson, Dr Francesca del Bufalo, and Alan Pearson, who will explore CAR-T cell therapy from a scientific, clinical and parent perspective. Audience members are invited to ask questions and share their own thoughts and any concerns about this new therapy.

Moderated by Dr Lucas Moreno, this extended session takes a deeper look at approaches to treating more challenging disease, in the context of early-phase (phase 1 or phase 2) clinical trials. Early phase trials are the first step in testing new medicines or approaches that have been developed in the lab.

Dr Lynley Marshall presents an overview of the latest phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials underway across Europe. This session highlights emerging therapies, their scientific goals, and the hope they offer to children and families affected by neuroblastoma.

Complementing the European perspective, Dr Steven DuBois shares insights into phase 1 and phase 2 trials taking place in North America, focusing on novel approaches and promising therapies currently being investigated or planned

An engaging panel discussion with Dr Lucas Moreno, Dr Lynley Marshall, and Dr Steven DuBois, addressing questions about treating relapsed and refractory disease, the clinical trials mentioned in the talks, and what these studies could mean for children and families. All questions are encouraged and welcome; however, please note that questions regarding individual circumstances or specific children cannot be addressed.

Moderated by Dr Gudrun Schleiermacher, this session explores the critical methods used to evaluate how effectively neuroblastoma treatments are working. Accurate assessment of disease response and recurrence plays a vital role in informing parents and clinicians and guiding treatment-related decision making.

Prof Kelly Goldsmith explains the underlying biology of neuroblastoma, providing insight into what makes this disease unique and how understanding its biology can potentially lead to better treatments and outcomes.

Dr Meredith Irwin discusses the tools and techniques used to monitor how well treatments are working and to detect any early signs of relapse. This talk highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring in managing neuroblastoma effectively.

Prof Lieve Tytgat explains the emerging role of liquid biopsies in neuroblastoma care. This innovative technique uses blood samples to detect and monitor cancer cells, offering a less invasive way to gather critical information about the disease.

An open panel discussion with Dr Gudrun Schleiermacher, Prof Kelly Goldsmith, Dr Meredith Irwin, Prof Lieve Tytgat, and Dr Sally George where attendees can ask questions about treatment monitoring, disease biology, and emerging tools like liquid biopsies. Experts will share their thoughts and clarify key points from the talks. All questions are encouraged and welcome; however, please note that questions regarding individual circumstances or specific children cannot be addressed.

Sunday's programme will be hosted by Helen Pearson.

In this heartfelt and inspiring session, four adult survivors of childhood neuroblastoma will share their personal journeys, and the challenges and triumphs they’ve faced post-treatment. From overcoming long-term physical and emotional obstacles to navigating life after cancer, they will provide a candid look at the realities of survivorship. Despite the challenges, their stories are filled with hope, resilience, and the belief that a life of achievement is possible after neuroblastoma.

This session will be moderated by Emma Potter and Hayley Blackwell and will be an open discussion with the opportunity to ask the participants questions. We hope the session will provide encouragement, support, and inspiration, whether you're currently in treatment or navigating life after treatment.

Moderated by Dr Ramya Ramanujachar, this dedicated session is to help families recognise, understand and address some of the complexities associated with the potential late effects of neuroblastoma treatment. In this supportive space, clinical experts will share how long term follow up and innovative approaches foster collaborative dialogue to improve long term support and care for patients living with treatment-related late effects.

Dr Assunta Albanese will explore ovarian insufficiency in girls as a potential treatment-related effect. As more is known about the impact of treatment on the reproductive system, she will share ways in which pubertal hormone replacement can help to ensure there are opportunities to thrive in adolescence and beyond.

Dr Paula Adkin will share her clinical expertise in recommendations for long-term follow-up care and the pathways in place with the late effects multidisciplinary team. She will share how the recommendations support children and young people to live well after cancer treatment.

An interactive panel discussion with the experts - giving parents, young people and other delegates the opportunity to ask questions.

Families face an overwhelming journey; this session will explore the role of support and hope to best manage the impact of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

Recognising the psychosocial impact that a neuroblastoma diagnosis brings, this session will help deepen our understanding of how best to support the mental wellbeing of parents, children and young people.

Helen Pearson will examine how to support parents with making treatment decisions for their child with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. She will share how the development of Redmapp and High Risk 2 Animation videos supports our understanding of parent decision-making.

Through the lens of a parent, Matt White will share his perspective on the importance of hope and what this means. We will understand more about hope as a source of strength, how this influences experiences for families and empowers them to cope in this challenging journey.