Child to Access Vaccine Trial in New York
A toddler with neuroblastoma will travel to New York in November 2026 to join a private clinical vaccine trial.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Cancer
A three-year-old child diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma will travel to New York in November 2026 to participate in a private clinical vaccine trial. The family secured access to the experimental treatment after raising over £300,000 to cover the associated costs.
Why it matters
The experimental maintenance drug previously used to prevent neuroblastoma relapse is no longer available to new patients in the UK. This creates a difficult gap in care for families seeking to prevent a return of the cancer for children who currently show no active disease.
The clinical vaccine trial involves submitting patient biological samples, including bone marrow aspirates and urine, to determine candidacy for the private study. The trial is now necessary because the maintenance drug difluoromethylornithine was withdrawn from the NHS in June 2026.
The players
Teddy Sloman
A three-year-old patient diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
The details
Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer that often requires intensive multi-modal treatment to achieve remission. The vaccine trial aims to engage the immune system in targeting potential residual cancer cells to reduce the risk of relapse. Following his initial diagnosis in July 2025, the patient underwent treatment at multiple facilities, including The Grange Hospital and Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales, and currently shows no evidence of active disease.
Timeline
July 2025: Patient diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.
June 2026: Maintenance drug difluoromethylornithine withdrawn from the NHS.
November 2026: Initial appointment for the vaccine trial in New York.
Health Landscape
The shift in NHS access policies regarding maintenance therapies has narrowed the standard of care for pediatric cancer survivors in the UK. Many families are now looking toward international clinical trials to supplement the treatment protocols that are no longer supported domestically.
Families navigating a cancer diagnosis should discuss all available clinical trial options with their oncology care team to understand potential eligibility criteria. It is important to confirm whether specific maintenance therapies are covered by your current health insurance or national healthcare plan.
The takeaway
When standardized treatments are withdrawn, exploring clinical trial databases remains a critical step for patients with rare diseases. Families should consult with their primary specialist to identify active international studies that may align with their child's specific medical profile.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in pediatric oncology at our Cancer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BBC.
