title: High-dose rapid schedule chemotherapy for disseminated neuroblastoma.
abstract: In a high-dose schedule for disseminated neuroblastoma, eight courses of chemotherapy were administered every 10 days, regardless of myelosuppression, to eradicate tumour cells rapidly and reduce emergence of drug-resistant clones. Relatively non-myelotoxic vincristine and cisplatin were alternated with high-dose cisplatin-etoposide and cyclophosphamide-etoposide. Of 12 evaluable patients, there were 1 complete (CR), 3 very good partial (VGPR), 5 partial (PR) and 3 mixed responses (MR) 100 days after starting treatment. 6 out of 9 achieved a bone marrow CR at 40 days. 9 of 11 primary tumours were completely resected, after which 4 patients had CR, 3 VGPR (bone scan alone being abnormal), 4 PR and 1 mixed response (MR). Myelotoxicity was the major adverse effect. The only death was due to fungal infection. Clinically important renal dysfunction occurred in 3 patients. 4 had convulsions and 4 temporary hypertension. This schedule produced a rapid response and its toxicity, though serious, was manageable. Further evaluation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Craft
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Pinkerton
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Meller
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014750:Vincristine; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin