Sequential high-dose chemotherapy for children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma

Eur J Cancer. 2009 Nov;45(17):3035-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2009.08.019. Epub 2009 Sep 25.

Abstract

Aim: The RMS4.99 study was designed to explore the role of multiple sequential high-dose chemotherapy cycles administered early in the treatment of children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.

Patients and methods: Seventy patients were enrolled and received three cycles of initial standard chemotherapy, followed by a course of cyclophosphamide and etoposide to obtain peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), then three consecutive high-dose combinations followed by PBSC rescue. This was followed by surgery and/or radiotherapy, after which a final maintenance treatment with six courses of vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide was administered.

Results: Sixty-two patients underwent the high-dose chemotherapy phase. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) rates for the 70 patients were 42.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 39.5-53.6) and 35.3% (95% CI, 24.3-46.5), respectively. By multivariate analysis survival correlated strongly with age > 10 years. In a subset of patients with only one or no unfavourable prognostic factors (age > 10 years, unfavourable site of primary tumour, bone or bone marrow involvement and number of metastatic sites >2) the PFS was significantly higher, i.e. 60.5% at 3 years.

Conclusion: Our study confirms that patients with favourable prognostic characteristics have a better survival. The use of sequential cycles of high-dose chemotherapy did not appear of benefit for patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Prognosis
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / drug therapy*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / secondary*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult