Intrathecal liposomal cytarabine in relapsed or refractory infant and pediatric leukemias: the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia experience and review of the literature.
Intrathecal chemotherapy is integral to curing childhood leukemia; however, bioavailability is limited by the blood-brain barrier. Recently FDA-approved, intrathecal liposomal cytarabine (ITlipAC) increases drug concentration over time with fewer invasive procedures. We present a series of 4 children, including 2 infants, with relapsed central nervous system leukemia who went into remission using ITlipAC, with a review of the literature reporting ITlipAC use in children with relapsed leukemia. Drug-attributable side effects were observed more frequently in children with preexisting neurologic conditions and with adult dosing. Combined with other pediatric reports, our experience supports the efficacy of ITlipAC in pediatric and infant leukemic meningitis.
Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. seifa@email.chop.edu
Alix E
AE
Seif
Anne F
AF
Reilly
Susan R
SR
Rheingold
D000293:Adolescent; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003561:Cytarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008081:Liposomes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D015143:Philadelphia; D012008:Recurrence
D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D008081:Liposomes; D003561:Cytarabine