Tandem High-dose Chemotherapy without Craniospinal Irradiation in Treatment of Non-metastatic Malignant Brain Tumors in Very Young Children
10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e405
- Author:
Youngeun MA
1
;
Do Hoon LIM
;
Heewon CHO
;
Ji Won LEE
;
Ki Woong SUNG
;
Keon Hee YOO
;
Hong Hoe KOO
;
Hyung Jin SHIN
;
Yeon-Lim SUH
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Publication Type:e405
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2020;35(48):e405-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Infants and very young children with malignant brain tumors have a poorer survival and a higher risk for neurologic deficits. The present study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of multimodal treatment including tandem high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/auto-SCT) in minimizing use of radiotherapy (RT) in very young children with non-metastatic malignant brain tumors.
Methods:Twenty consecutive patients younger than 3 years were enrolled between 2004 and 2017. Tandem HDCT/auto-SCT was performed after six cycles of induction chemotherapy.Local RT was administered only to patients with post-operative gross residual tumor at older than 3 years. Since September 2015, early post-operative local RT for patients with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor or primitive neuroectodermal tumor was administered.
Results:All 20 enrolled patients underwent the first HDCT/auto-SCT, and 18 proceeded to the second. Two patients died from toxicity during the second HDCT/auto-SCT, and four patients experienced relapse/progression (one localized and three metastatic), three of whom remained alive after salvage treatment including RT. A total of 17 patients remained alive at a median 7.8 (range, 2.5−15.7) years from diagnosis. Nine survivors received no RT, six survivors received local RT alone, and two survivors who experienced metastatic relapse after tandem HDCT/auto-SCT received both local and craniospinal RT. The 5-year overall, eventfree, and craniospinal RT-free survival rates were 85.0% ± 8.0%, 70.0% ± 10.2%, and 75.0% ± 9.7%, respectively. Neuroendocrine and neurocognitive functions evaluated 5 years after tandem HDCT/auto-SCT were acceptable.
Conclusion:Our results suggest that non-metastatic malignant brain tumors in very young children could be treated with multimodal therapy including tandem HDCT/auto-SCT while minimizing RT, particularly craniospinal RT.
