Oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and gemcitabine: a novel combination in the therapy of progressed, relapsed, or refractory tumors in children

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2011 Jul;33(5):344-9. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e31820994ec.

Abstract

Therapeutic options for unresectable neuroendocrine carcinomas and relapsed or refractory solid tumors are still limited in pediatric patients. We present a retrospective review of 12 children (3 to 16 y) in a case series treated with a novel combination of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and gemcitabine (triple therapy). We defined its feasibility in a mainly outpatient setting and assessed its toxicity and effectiveness. Three patients with unresectable neuroendocrine carcinomas received triple therapy as first-line treatment; 9 children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors of different entities were assigned after failure of standard treatment protocols. The treatment schedule comprised oxaliplatin (85 mg/m²), irinotecan (175 mg/m²), and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m²), the latter to be repeated on day 8. A median of 7 cycles was applied. Nine of 12 patients showed hematotoxicity 0-III degrees. Gastrointestinal toxicity I-II degrees were handled satisfactorily by supportive drugs. Tumor response was defined as partial response in 1 of 12 children, stable disease in 8 of 12 children, and progressive disease in 3 of 12 children with a median time of disease control of 7 months. We regard triple therapy as a well-tolerated outpatient treatment option offering children a high quality of life and showing considerable effectiveness in delaying tumor progress.

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Camptothecin / administration & dosage
  • Camptothecin / analogs & derivatives
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm*
  • Female
  • Gemcitabine
  • Humans
  • Irinotecan
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Medulloblastoma / drug therapy
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy
  • Neuroblastoma / pathology
  • Organoplatinum Compounds / administration & dosage
  • Osteosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Osteosarcoma / secondary
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Organoplatinum Compounds
  • Oxaliplatin
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Irinotecan
  • Camptothecin
  • Gemcitabine