Neuroblastoma Expert John Maris, M.D., Available to Discuss FDA Approval of Unituxin, the Third FDA-Approved Drug Ever for Children with Cancer

PHILADELPHIA, March 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pediatric oncologist John M. Maris, M.D., is available to discuss a milestone event for children with cancer: yesterday's approval of Unituxin (dinutuximab), by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Unituxin is only the third drug in history to receive initial FDA approval for treating pediatric cancer, and the first immunotherapy drug for children with cancer.

Dr. Maris, of the Cancer Center for Children at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is recognized worldwide as an expert in neuroblastoma. He co-led the Phase 3 multicenter clinical trial of Unituxin that changed clinical practice in treating this form of high-risk neuroblastoma after results were published in a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Unituxin is a monoclonal antibody that increases survival by as much as 15 percent in children with high-risk neuroblastoma, which attacks the peripheral nervous system. 

The manufacturer of Unituxin, United Therapeutics, received a pediatric priority review voucher from the FDA under a program that expedites therapies for rare pediatric diseases. The voucher program was authorized by the Creating Hope Act, a 2012 federal law that encourages drug development in treating children's diseases.

Unituxin was the first pediatric cancer therapy to show proof of concept for immunotherapy.  This work is now being advanced through a $14.5M grant by Stand Up 2 Cancer -St. Baldrick's Foundation to the Pediatric Dream Team, co-chaired by Dr. Maris and Dr. Crystal Mackall of the National Cancer Institute.  The goal is to harness immunotherapy for neuroblastoma and other types of pediatric cancers while minimizing side effects.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Maris, contact Rachel Salis-Silverman at 267-426-6063 or [email protected].

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150311/181147

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Related Links

http://www.chop.edu

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