Treatment of Pediatric Pontine Glioma with Oral Trophosphamide and Etoposide
Author Information
Author(s): Wolff J E A, Westphal S, Mölenkamp G, Gnekow A, Warmuth-Metz M, Rating D, Kuehl J
Hypothesis
To evaluate the overall survival of paediatric patients with pontine gliomas treated with oral trophosphamide and etoposide.
Conclusion
Oral trophosphamide in combination with etoposide did not improve survival of pontine glioma patients.
Supporting Evidence
- All patients eventually died from local tumour progression.
- The overall median survival was 8 months.
- The response rates were: complete response: 0, partial response: three, stable disease: four, progressive disease: five.
- There was no toxic death.
- The treatment was well tolerated.
Takeaway
This study looked at a treatment for kids with a type of brain tumor, but it didn't help them live longer.
Methodology
Patients aged 3 to 17 with pontine gliomas were treated with oral trophosphamide and etoposide alongside radiation.
Potential Biases
There is a risk that a minor benefit may not be detected due to the study design.
Limitations
The study was not a formal randomized phase III trial, and the control group was somewhat inhomogeneous.
Participant Demographics
Median age was 6 years, with a male to female ratio of 9:11.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.7
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 4.9–11
Statistical Significance
p=0.7
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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