Magna-field irradiation and autologous marrow rescue in the treatment of pediatric solid tumors

Marrow ablative therapy has been given to pediatric patients with a variety of disseminated tumors. Eight patients with advanced neuroblastoma received autologous marrow reinfusion after intensive therapy. Three of eight are in continuous complete remission from 7 to 60 months. An additional four patients received allogeneic marrow transplantation and two remain in continuous complete response at 21 and 39 months. Intensive therapy and autologous marrow reinfusion have been applied to Ewing's sarcoma, but only preliminary results are available. Six patients with disseminated rhabdomyosarcoma and extra-osseous Ewing's sarcoma received conventional chemotherapy followed by sequential hemi-body irradiation. Four of six patients received autologous marrow rescue. Their median disease-free survival is 17 months. This preliminary experience demonstrates the feasibility of using marrow ablative therapy with autologous marrow transplantation in the treatment of pediatric solid tumors. Continuing Phase II studies are required to substantiate its efficacy.