13-cis-retinoic acid (NSC 122758) in the treatment of children with metastatic neuroblastoma unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy: report from the Childrens Cancer Study Group.

The Childrens Cancer Study Group evaluated daily oral 13-cis-retinoic acid to determine its therapeutic efficacy in 28 children with advanced neuroblastoma refractory to conventional therapy. Cheilitis and fissured lips were the most common side effects; however, fewer than 50% of the patients experienced any toxicity. Two of twenty-two evaluable children demonstrated positive response to therapy. In one case, a child received the drug for 11 months. Seventeen patients demonstrated progressive disease within 28 days of the start of treatment. Three other patients with stable disease, or removed from study at day 28, were considered nonresponsive. Our data demonstrate that, when given as a single daily oral dose of 100 mg/m2, 13-cis-retinoic acid does not have significant activity in children with advanced neuroblastoma.     

Comprehensive treatment of advanced neuroblastoma involving autologous bone marrow transplant

Encouraging results are reported with high-dose chemotherapy and total body irradiation followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of advanced neuroblastoma. However, relapse remains a significant problem. We used high-dose chemotherapy, surgery, intraoperative radiation and an autologous bone marrow transplant treated in vitro to remove tumor cells followed by 13-cis-retinoic acid to treat 36 children with advanced neuroblastoma. This comprehensive treatment appears to improve the survival rate of patients with advanced neuroblastoma, including those with N-myc amplification and bony involvement. The disease-free survival rate was 66% (95% confidence interval, 49–84%) at 3 years. All patients who received 13-cis-retinoic acid developed cheilitis, but no bone marrow depression occurred in these patients. Five patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) post-transplant. This may have been related to the procedure used for total body irradiation. Patients who had their kidneys shielded during this procedure did not develop this syndrome. Patients who received local irradiation at the primary site showed no evidence of relapse in this region, indicating that such therapy may help to prevent a relapse. These data suggest a high rate of 3 year disease-free survival with this treatment strategy. The nonrandomized nature of the study and use of multiple modalities precludes analysis of the specific contribution of each.     

13-顺维甲酸体外诱导神经母细胞瘤干细胞分化的体外实验

目的 体外观察并鉴定13-顺维甲酸诱导神经母细胞瘤（NB）干细胞的分化作用,为临床用维甲酸治疗NB微小残留病灶提供实验依据。方法 取14例伴骨髓转移的Ⅳ期NB患儿的骨髓液标本,分离出NB细胞,将原代肿瘤细胞接种于无血清干细胞培养基中悬浮培养;在含5 μmol·L-1 13-顺维甲酸的分化培养基中培养神经球细胞,观察细胞的形态变化;RT-PCR法检测神经球细胞诱导前、诱导3和9 d Oct-4表达水平的改变;利用细胞免疫荧光技术比较诱导前及诱导9 d神经球细胞nestin表达的差异。结果 14例骨髓标本中,4例分离到原代NB细胞。无血清培养基中培养4~6 d后,可见原代悬浮神经球形成,传代后成球细胞能再次分裂增殖为神经球。神经球细胞在血清培养基中呈贴壁生长,呈三角形或星形,添加5 μmol·L-1 13-顺维甲酸后,细胞生长速度降低,形态发生明显改变。RT-PCR法检测结果显示,13-顺维甲酸诱导9 d后,神经球细胞Oct-4表达水平逐渐降低;细胞免疫荧光显示诱导9 d后神经球细胞nestin表达减弱。结论 13-顺维甲酸能有效诱导NB干细胞分化。     

Prevalence of advanced bone age in a cohort of patients who received cis-retinoic acid for high-risk neuroblastoma

In the last decade, 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) has been added to the treatment of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. In survivors of neuroblastoma, short stature is consistently observed. Causes include growth hormone deficiency and poor growth of irradiated long bones. Within the survivorship program at CHOP, we have observed that a number of these patients also have advanced bone ages. Children treated with 13-cis-RA are at risk for advanced bone age that may dramatically impact their linear growth. Ongoing evaluation is necessary to examine the effect of 13-cis-RA on final adult height and to inform clinical practice in this cohort.     

Ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE) as front-line, topotecan/cyclophosphamide as second-line and oral temozolomide as third-line treatment for advanced neuroblastoma over one year of age

Children affected by advanced neuroblastoma have a discouraging prognosis, but intensive induction chemotherapy may increase the complete response rate. The combination of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) was used for the first time as front-line regimen in patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma over the age of 1 y. Similarly, second-line treatment for children with relapsed neuroblastoma, particularly after high-dose chemotherapy, has been unsatisfactory. The combination of topotecan and cyclophosphamide was studied in resistant or relapsed solid tumors. Furthermore, there is a need for effective palliative treatment in patients failing therapy. Temozolomide, a new dacarbazine analog with optimal oral bioavailability, is being used in an ongoing phase II study as an alternative to oral etoposide. Seventeen patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma have entered the ICE study; 15/16 (94%) major responses after induction were observed and 6/16 (37%) evaluable patients are disease free after a median of 51 mo. Twenty-one patients with relapsed/refractory disease (of whom 13 neuroblastomas) entered the topotecan/cyclophosphamide study: 7/21 (33%) patients responded. Forty-one patients entered the temozolomide study (of whom 16 had neuroblastomas): stable disease and symptom relief were obtained in 15/30 (50%) evaluable patients. Intensive induction with ICE resulted in a faster response with high response rate; a larger study with longer follow-up is needed to confirm a survival advantage. Second-line treatment was effective in obtaining remissions, some of them long lasting. Third-line treatment did not elicit measurable responses in neuroblastoma, but achieved prolonged freedom from disease progression and excellent palliation in several patients.     

Ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE) as front-line, topotecan/ cyclophosphamide as second-line and oral temozolomide as third-line treatment for advanced neuroblastoma over one year of age

Children affected by advanced neuroblastoma have a discouraging prognosis, but intensive induction chemotherapy may increase the complete response rate. The combination of ifosfamide, carboplatin and etoposide (ICE) was used for the first time as front-line regimen in patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma over the age of 1 y. Similarly, second-line treatment for children with relapsed neuroblastoma, particularly after high-dose chemotherapy, has been unsatisfactory. The combination of topotecan and cyclophosphamide was studied in resistant or relapsed solid tumors. Furthermore, there is a need for effective palliative treatment in patients failing therapy. Temozolomide, a new dacarbazine analog with optimal oral bioavailability, is being used in an ongoing phase II study as an alternative to oral etoposide. Seventeen patients with stage 4 neuroblastoma have entered the ICE study; 15/16 (94%) major responses after induction were observed and 6/16 (37%) evaluable patients are disease free after a median of 51 mo. Twenty-one patients with relapsed/refractory disease (of whom 13 neuroblastomas) entered the topotecan/cyclophosphamide study: 7/21 (33%) patients responded. Forty-one patients entered the temozolomide study (of whom 16 had neuroblastomas): stable disease and symptom relief were obtained in 15/30 (50%) evaluable patients. Intensive induction with ICE resulted in a faster response with high response rate; a larger study with longer follow-up is needed to confirm a survival advantage. Second-line treatment was effective in obtaining remissions, some of them long lasting. Third-line treatment did not elicit measurable responses in neuroblastoma, but achieved prolonged freedom from disease progression and excellent palliation in several patients.     

Premature physeal closure following 13‐cis‐retinoic acid and prolonged fenretinide administration in neuroblastoma

Retinoid therapy has contributed to improved outcomes in neuroblastoma. Clinical trials of fenretinide report favorable toxicity and disease stabilization in patients with high risk (HR) neuroblastoma. Skeletal effects have been described with other retinoids, but not with fenretinide to date. Two patients with HR, metastatic, refractory neuroblastoma received protracted courses of oral fenretinide for more than 5 years’ duration. Both developed premature long bone physeal closure, causing limb length discrepancies; their neuroblastoma remains in remission. The radiographic and clinical findings reported suggest these skeletal abnormalities may be a consequence of treatment with 13‐cis‐retinoic acid (13cisRA) followed by prolonged oral fenretinide exposure.     

Hypercalcemia and 13-cis-retinoic acid in post-consolidation therapy of neuroblastoma

We report 19 episodes of hypercalcemia in three children treated with 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) as a post-consolidation therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma. There was no concomitant overload in 13-cis-RA blood levels. Blood calcium fell after arrest of 13-cis-RA intake. Half dosage retinoid treatment resumption did not prevent the recurrence of hypercalcemia. Concomitant biological values showed massive bone resorption. Hence, hypercalcemia seemed not secondary to 13-cis-RA overload but rather to inter-individual variability in its interaction with bone metabolism. Current guidelines in case of hypercalcemia are to reduce 13-cis-RA dosage. Instead we propose to maintain the therapeutic dosage, but to shorten the duration of courses.     

Favorable histology, MYCN-amplified 4S neonatal neuroblastoma

We report a neonate with 4S neuroblastoma and MYCN amplification, but favorable Shimada histology, successfully treated with chemotherapy and 13-cis-retinoic acid without stem cell transplantation. MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma is usually associated with unfavorable Shimada histology; the presence of these features in infants with 4S disease confers a poor prognosis. A small number of infants with 4S neuroblastoma and MYCN amplification have favorable Shimada histology. In this subgroup of infants, histopathology may be equally important in predicting outcome.     

强烈化疗和自体外周血造血干细胞移植及维甲酸治疗晚期神经母细胞瘤

目的 探讨强烈化疗、自体造血干细胞移植及维甲酸对晚期神经母细胞瘤的治疗效果方法 研究Ⅳ期神经母细胞瘤患儿6例,年龄4～8岁,发病时间1个月～1年;原发部位腹部5例、胸部1例,均有骨髓转移,1例有多发性骨转移及球后病变。成立多学科参与的治疗小组,采用术前化疗、手术切除、强烈化疗、局部放疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及维甲酸生物治疗等。结果 经综合治疗造血干细胞移植前6例均达到完全缓解,骨髓中肿瘤细胞消失,骨转移及球后病变被控制。化疗中骨髓抑制明显,血象恢复较慢,达3～4周。感染明显,三分之一疗程后发热,用头孢他定(商品名复达欣)、亚胺培南(商品名泰能)等感染被控制。造血干细胞移植过程顺利。术后随诊4～18个月疾病处于完全缓解状态,心、肝、肾器官功能正常,骨髓恢复正常或在恢复中。结论 强烈化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及维甲酸是治疗Ⅳ期神经母细胞瘤的有效方法。     

Curability of recurrent disseminated disease after surgery alone for local-regional neuroblastoma using intensive chemotherapy and anti-G(D2) immunotherapy

PURPOSE: A reluctance to treat local-regional neuroblastoma by surgery alone derives partly from concern that if widespread neuroblastoma develops, the chance for cure is small, and partly from hope that mild chemotherapy will prevent relapse. The authors report on a series of patients who had distant recurrences after surgery alone for local-regional neuroblastoma. METHODS: Seven patients treated with surgery alone for local-regional neuroblastoma had widespread relapses 2.5 to 25 (median 7) months later and were treated at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). During the period of this study (1995-1999), MSKCC patients with high-risk neuroblastoma received the N7 protocol (dose-intensive chemotherapy, immunotherapy with the anti-G(D2) 3F8 antibody, targeted radiotherapy using 131I-3F8, local radiotherapy) if they had assessable disease, or 3F8 plus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) followed by 13-cis-retinoic acid if they were in remission after treatment elsewhere. RESULTS: Five patients were in complete remission 3 years 11 months to 7 years 4 months from the start of retrieval therapy, including three who received all of their N7 treatment of relapsed neuroblastoma at MSKCC, one who received two cycles of chemotherapy elsewhere before starting N7, and one who was referred for 3F8/GM-CSF because of neuroblastoma cells in pretransplantation bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: The encouraging survival results of our cohort are consistent with the concept that surgery alone for local-regional neuroblastoma might be beneficial to the overall neuroblastoma population because many patients will never need chemotherapy (and will therefore be spared its potential toxicities), and most of those who do have widespread relapses are likely to be cured with contemporary treatments.     

Plasma dopa and catecholamines in the diagnosis and follow-up of children with neuroblastoma

Plasma dopa and the catecholamines--dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine--were assayed by a radioenzymatic method in 15 children with active neuroblastoma and in eight others without evidence of disease to assess the value of these determinations in the diagnosis and management of the tumor. Thirty-four children with solid tumors and hemopoietic malignancies served as our controls. Elevated plasma dopa levels were observed in 13 children with active neuroblastoma (87%); dopamine and norepinephrine were elevated in 1/4 of these patients. In the group of children with neuroblastoma without evidence of disease, dopa and catecholamine levels were within the range observed in the controls. Total urinary catecholamines, homovanillic acid (HVA) and/or vanilmandelic acid (MVA) were elevated in 11 of the 15 (73%) neuroblastoma patients with active disease. While serial plasma dopa determinations correlated with the course of the disease in practically all patients and thus were useful in their follow-up, the catecholamines were of limited value in assessing tumor status. Our results suggest that plasma dopa, assayed by a radioenzymatic method, may be more reliable than the traditional urinary catecholamine determinations in the diagnosis of neuroblastoma, and it appears useful in the management of this disease.     

A phase 2 trial of all-trans-retinoic acid in combination with interferon-alpha2a in children with recurrent neuroblastoma or Wilms tumor: A Pediatric Oncology Branch, NCI and Children's Oncology Group Study

BACKGROUND: The combination of the antiproliferative and differentiation-inducing effects of retinoids together with the antiproliferative, immunostimulatory, and differentiation-potentiating effects of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) were the basis for the development of this combination in pediatric patients with refractory neuroblastoma or Wilms tumor. PROCEDURE: A phase 2 trial of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), administered orally at a dose of 90 mg/m(2)/day in three divided doses for 3 consecutive days per week, and IFN-alpha2a, administered subcutaneously daily at a dose of 3 x 10(6) U/m(2)/day for 5 consecutive days per week, in 4 week cycles was performed. A two-stage design was used for each disease stratum. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (16 evaluable) with neuroblastoma, median age 9 years, and 15 patients (14 evaluable) with Wilms tumor, median age 6 years, were enrolled. Overall, the combination was well tolerated, with headache being the most common toxicity observed. There were no complete or partial responses. The median number of cycles administered was 1 (range 1-9). Four patients with neuroblastoma had stable disease for 12 or more weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ATRA and IFN-alpha2a was inactive in children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor. The lack of activity with this combination in children with refractory neuroblastoma is similar to the disappointing phase 2 results of single agent 13-cis-retinoic-acid (13cRA) and does not support further development of ATRA for children with relapsed neuroblastoma.     

The vitamin A analogues: 13-cis retinoic acid, 9-cis retinoic acid, and Ro 13-6307 inhibit neuroblastoma tumour growth in vivo

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma, a childhood tumour of the sympathetic nervous system, may undergo spontaneous differentiation or regression due to apoptosis after no or minimal therapy. However, the majority of neuroblastomas are diagnosed as metastatic tumours with a poor prognosis in spite of intensive multimodal therapy. Vitamin A and its analogues (retinoic acid, RA) play an important role in normal cel lular differentiation and programmed cell death. RA regulates neuroblastoma growth and differentiation in vitro, and has shown activity against human neuroblastoma in vivo. PROCEDURE: Recently, 9-cis RA was shown to induce apoptosis in vitro in neuroblastoma using a 5 days short-term treatment and subsequent washout. In the present study, nude rats with human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y xenografts were treated with 13-cis RA (4 mg po daily), 9-cis RA (5 mg po daily) or the novel analogue Ro 13-6307 (0.3 mg po daily) using either a continuous or short-term schedule. RESULTS: ALL three different retinoids decreased neuroblastoma growth significantly in terms of tumour weight after 8-12 days when compared to untreated controls (P < 0.05). Minor signs of toxicity in 13-cis RA treated rats were observed. However, severe toxicity with significant weight loss was seen in all rats treated with 9-cis RA and Ro 13-6307. Toxicity was more pronounced with the continuous regimen. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that different retinoids reduce neuroblastoma tumour growth in vivo. Drug scheduling and dosage may affect both therapeutic efficacy and toxic side effects. Further in vivo studies are warranted, including pharmacokinetic and molecular analyses, before clinical trials with promising retinoids like 9-cis RA and Ro 13-6307 can be started in children with neuroblastoma.     

大剂量化疗造血干细胞移植治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效研究

目的目前IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿无论采用何种方法治疗均疗效差,长期生存率低,需要探索新的治疗途径。该文采用大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗等方法,试图提高IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效。方法选择IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿28例,年龄2.1~11.5岁,平均3.3±1.9岁,发病时间1~7个月,平均3.1±0.7个月。原发部位:肾上腺23例,胸部3例,胸腹联合1例,骶骨1例。强烈化疗6疗程,期间进行外周血造血干细胞采集、手术切除,然后进行自体外周血造血干细胞移植,术后行局部放疗及13-顺式维甲酸治疗,定期随访。结果28例患儿诱导化疗结束时13例取得完全缓解,11例取得部分缓解,4例化疗中病情进展。完全缓解及部分缓解的24例患儿完成治疗进入本研究。随访3.5±0.7年,两组4年无病生存率29.2%。完全缓解组中位无复发生存时间4.1±0.7年;部分缓解组中位无复发生存时间2.8±0.5年,两组中位无复发生存时间差异有显著性(t=3.9,P<0.01)。结论大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤可取得较好疗效,4年无病生存率29.2%,移植前达到完全缓解时可取得更好疗效     

Intra-operative radiation therapy in pediatric neuroblastoma

External beam irradiation (EBRT) has been shown to improve response rates and event-free survival in children with neuroblastoma and regional lymph node metastases. Irradiation during surgical exposure (intra-operative radiotherapy, IORT) with displacement of adjacent radiosensitive organs out of the treatment field allows for more precise delineation of the target volume and significantly reduces the amount of normal tissue exposed to irradiation. We have incorporated IORT into the treatment regimen of 24 children with neuroblastoma between the years 1983–1991. IORT was directed to any residual tumor or the tumor bed; the median dose of radiation was 1,000 cGY, equivalent to 3,000 cGY of conventional EBRT. There were 11 males and 13 females. Two patients had stage II, 12 patients had stage III, and 10 patients had stage IV disease. Ten children received IORT for suspected recurrent or persistent neuroblastoma. Twelve patients were disease-free survivors following IORT with a median follow-up of 54 months. For those patients with stage III disease, seven children were disease-free survivors, while only three of 10 patients with stage IV disease survived (median follow-up 30 months). Disease-free Survival (DFS) correlated with the achievement of local tumor control in children with both stage III and IV neuroblastoma. There was limited morbidity and no episodes of obstructive uropathy were encountered. We conclude that IORT appears to be well tolerated and may have therapeutic benefit for a select group of patients with neuroblastoma. IORT merits future exploration by prospective study. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 28:424–428, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

大剂量化疗造血干细胞移植治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效研究

目的：目前IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿无论采用何种方法治疗均疗效差,长期生存率低,需要探索新的治疗途径。该文采用大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗等方法,试图提高IV期神经母细胞瘤的长期疗效。方法：选择IV期神经母细胞瘤患儿28例,年龄2.1~11.5岁,平均3.3±1.9岁,发病时间1~7个月,平均3.1±0.7个月。原发部位:肾上腺23例,胸部3例,胸腹联合1例,骶骨1例。强烈化疗6疗程,期间进行外周血造血干细胞采集、手术切除,然后进行自体外周血造血干细胞移植,术后行局部放疗及13-顺式维甲酸治疗,定期随访。结果：28例患儿诱导化疗结束时13例取得完全缓解,11例取得部分缓解,4例化疗中病情进展。完全缓解及部分缓解的24例患儿完成治疗进入本研究。随访3.5±0.7年,两组4年无病生存率29.2%。完全缓解组中位无复发生存时间4.1±0.7年;部分缓解组中位无复发生存时间2.8±0.5年,两组中位无复发生存时间差异有显著性(t=3.9,P<0.01)。结论：大剂量化疗、自体外周血造血干细胞移植及13-顺式维甲酸治疗IV期神经母细胞瘤可取得较好疗效,4年无病生存率29.2%,移植前达到完全缓解时可取得更好疗效     

Phase I trial of rubidazone (NSC 164011) in children with cancer

Rubidazone was administered to 24 children with advanced solid tumors or leukemia. The dose ranged from 80 to 150 mg/m²/IV daily to a total dose of 160 to 450 mg/m²/course. This course was repeated at intervals of approximately three weeks. Eighteen of 24 patients (75%) had received adriamycin and daunomycin as part of prior chemotherapy. The major toxic effects observed were myelosuppression, nausea, vomiting, mucositis, and skin rash. Four patients developed abnormal echocardiograms following the rubidazone therapy, 2 manifested clinical cardiac failure, of which one had anthracycline cardiomyopathic changes on autopsy. One of 7 adequately treated ALL patients achieved M2 marrow and improved peripheral counts for 3 weeks. One of the 2 neuroblastoma patients had subjective improvement of bone pain for 2 months. Rubidazone, in a previously heavily treated group of patients used in this study, had dosages of 360 and 450 mg/m² which produced marrow hypoplasia to aplasia, with only minimal responses.