Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for treating neuroblastoma cells. The methods include contacting the neuroblastoma cells with a neurotrophic factor and less than a lethal dose of an inhibitor of cell proliferation for about 1 to 15 days, and then maintaining the neuroblastoma cells in contact with the neurotrophic factor for an additional 1 to 15 days. The composition includes a neurotrophic factor such as the neurotropin, nerve growth factor, and an inhibitor of cell proliferation such as aphidicolin, thymidine, or hydroxyurea. Also disclosed are methods for inducing the remission or differentiation of, or eliminating, neuroblastoma cells.