title: Efficacy and safety of [131I]metaiodobenzylguanidine therapy for patients with refractory neuroblastoma.
abstract: Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is a guanethidine derivative that is selectively concentrated in sympathetic nervous tissue. MIBG labeled with 123I or 131I has proven to be a specific and sensitive tool for detection of primary and metastatic pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. Eleven patients, with refractory stage IV neuroblastoma were treated with a total of 23 courses of 131I-MIBG, 100-400 mCi/m2/course. Total activity administered per course ranged from 90-550 mCi; maximum cumulative radioactivity per patient was 1356 mCi. The 131I-MIBG was given as a 2 hour infusion. Total body dose was calculated from whole body activity measurements, ranging from 73-250 cGy. The main toxicity was thrombocytopenia, with platelet nadirs to less than 25,000/microL in 5/23 courses (5 patients), all occurring in patients with greater than 25% replacement by tumor in the bone marrow. Neutropenia to a nadir of less than 500/microL was seen in only 2 patients, both with greater than 50% bone marrow replacement after 2 and 4 courses of 131I-MIBG, respectively. Tumor doses were calculated in patients with an evaluable measurable lesion, and ranged from 312-6329 cGy per course. Two of the eleven patients had partial responses, with one long-term survivor with stage IV neuroblastoma with no evidence of active disease now 4 years off treatment. Two other patients survive with stable disease after 3 treatments, at 3+ and 5+ months. Seven patients died with progressive disease. This study shows that treatment with 131I-MIBG is safe and can be effective in refractory neuroblastoma, particularly in patients who do not have extensive bone and bone marrow involvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Matthay
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Huberty
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hattner
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ablin
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Engelstad
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zoger
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Price
mesh_terms: D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007462:Iodobenzenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000628:therapy*; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007462:Iodobenzenes; D019797:3-Iodobenzylguanidine