title: Advances in the systemic treatment of leptomeningeal cancer.
abstract: Leptomeningeal cancer (LMC), which refers to involvement of the cerebrospinal fluid by cancer cells, is a poor prognostic sign that complicates various solid malignancies. Treatment of LMC evolved around brain radiation, intrathecal therapy, and systemic chemotherapy, but response rates are unsatisfactory, and patients usually die from cancer progression. In this article, we review the history of the major therapeutic approaches used to treat LMC, and we expand on the promising new venues for applying biologic targeted agents to the treatment options utilized in LMC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology, Oncology and Marrow Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1081, USA. taher-hejleh@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Taher
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Abu Hejleh
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Clamon
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents