title: A dose-intensive approach (NB96) for induction therapy utilizing sequential high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue in high-risk neuroblastoma in children over 1 year of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To improve outcome and overall survival (OS) in high-risk neuroblastoma, NB96 induction therapy was intensified using sequential high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty children were included in this pilot study undertaken at seven reference centers in France, between May 1995 and October 1996. Induction began with one cycle of conventional chemotherapy followed by six sequential cycles of high-dose chemotherapy comprising two cycles of etoposide 800 mg/m(2)/day over 3 days, two cycles of cyclophosphamide 2,000 mg/m(2)/day over 3 days, and two cycles of carboplatin 400 mg/m(2)/day over 5 days, followed by stem cell rescue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients (13/20) received this induction with acceptable toxicity and adequate stem cell harvest. Of these, nine (9/13) underwent surgery according to the protocol, while one patient was given a consolidation regimen prior to surgery. No toxic death was recorded. At the end of induction, complete remission was achieved in 10 cases (50%), with six still alive in July 2009. The 5-year event-free survival and OS were 35 ± 11% and 40 ± 11%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NB96 therapy is feasible and tolerated without lethal toxicity. Nevertheless, given the small sample size and absence of randomization in our study, the effectiveness of this strategy based on metastasis complete response rates and long-term outcome was not superior to other intensive chemotherapy regimens.
authors: Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, CHU Bordeaux, Children's Hospital, Place Amélie Rabat-Léon, Bordeaux, France. sylvie.laborde@chu-bordeaux.fr
authors: Sylvie
authors: S
authors: Monnereau-Laborde
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Munzer
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Valteau-Couanet
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Ansoborlo
authors: Carole
authors: C
authors: Coze
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Chastagner
authors: Hervé
authors: H
authors: Rubie
authors: François
authors: F
authors: Demeocq
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Stephan
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Hartmann
authors: Yves
authors: Y
authors: Perel
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome