Treating pediatric metastatic neuroblastoma with chemotherapy-based
multimodality approach in a non-transplant setting - experience from a
developing country
Abstract
Background: Children with metastatic neuroblastoma have inferior
survival despite therapeutic advances. Myeloablative chemotherapy
followed by stem cell transplantation, accepted as the current standard
of care, is not accessible to patients in many developing countries due
to resource constraints. We share our experience of treating metastatic
neuroblastoma in a non-transplant facility with conventional
chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Method - Retrospective study of
children 1-14years of age treated for metastatic neuroblastoma in our
center from January 2008 to December 2017 Results – Eighty-nine
patients with metastatic neuroblastoma received treatment. Mean age was
3.5years and male:female ratio was 1.1:1. The commonest primary site was
suprarenal(55%) and commonest site of metastasis was bone marrow(76%).
40% patients had multiple metastatic sites. Mean baseline LDH was 3724
U/L(range303-16609 U/L) and most(65%) patients had
LDH>750U/L.53 patients(59.6%)had good response to
chemotherapy as evidenced by clearance of metastatic disease, but out of
them, 43 patients (81%) progressed subsequently. 26 patients underwent
surgery and 12 patients received maintenance therapy. 74 patients(86%)
developed recurrence and all but one died. Median time to recurrence and
death were 9months(range 0-120months) and 10months(range 1-123months)
respectively. At a median follow-up of 72months(range15-135months), 16
patients are alive, with 5-year disease-free survival and overall
survival of 17.6% and 18.4% respectively. Age, baseline LDH,
chemotherapy regimen and response to treatment affected survival.
Conclusion: Outcome of non-infant metastatic neuroblastoma remains
dismal in a non-transplant setting. Younger age, lower baseline LDH and
good response to chemotherapy appear to confer survival advantage, and
may be used for risk-stratification in developing countries.