Neuroblastoma

Modern methods of treatment of neuroblastoma

One of the new and effective methods of treatment of patients over 12 months old with high-risk neuroblastoma is the use of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies directed against neuroblastoma cells.

The Center for Children’s Oncology, Hematology and Immunology (Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus) (hereinafter referred to as the Center) developed a clinical protocol for the use of anti-GD2 monoclonal antibodies to treat patients with neuroblastoma and began using them in 2020. The protocol includes 5 courses of monoclonal antibody administration. Due to the high risk of complications, the first course is carried out in the intensive care unit, the subsequent ones – in the 24-hour inpatient department.

The cost of one course of monoclonal antibodies for a patient weighing about 20 kg, based on 5 vials per course, will be 59,000.00 euros, in the intensive care unit and resuscitation department – about 67,000.00 euros. The cost of 4 subsequent courses of therapy will be about 248,000.00 euros, based on 62,000.00 euros per course of therapy.

The total cost of treatment is approximately 315,000.00 euros.

The total cost includes: primary diagnostics and verification of the diagnosis with a review of all CT, MRI images, histological preparations, accommodation for the child and accompanying person during treatment and the inter-course period.

The cost is not fixed and may change during the treatment. The cost is determined by the number of days spent in the hospital, the volume of the necessary examination, the drugs used to prevent and treat complications, the patient’s weight. The cost may decrease if 2 patients undergo monoclonal antibody therapy at the same time and the bottle is used as completely as possible.

In case of reduction of the cost of treatment, the Center guarantees the return of money. For treatment of patients with neuroblastoma of high risk group the method  of antitumor vaccination is also applied.

Price-list