Using Gene Modified Neuroblastoma Cells for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Neuroblastoma

This research study is designed to determine the safety and dosage of special cells that may make a patients own immune system fight the cancer. To do this we will put two special genes into cancer cells taken from the patients body. The genes we put in make the cancer cells produce lymphotactin, a natural substance that attracts immune system cells to the cancer, and IL-2 a natural substance that may help the immune system kill cancer cells. Some of these cells will then be put back in the patient's body. Studies of cancers in animals and in cancer cells that are grown in laboratories suggest that substances like lymphotactin and IL-2 help the body kill cancer cells. A treatment similar to this has been used in ten children previously and similar treatments are being used in adults with other cancers. The purpose of this study is to learn the side effects and safe 'dosage' of these special cells.