Is there a benefit of 131I-MIBG therapy in the treatment of children with stage 4 neuroblastoma?

Aim: 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG) therapy has been used in neuroblastoma treatment for many years but its value in high intensive first line treatment protocols is not exactly known. Patients, methods: Stage 4 neuroblastoma patients >1 year with 123I-MIBG positive residual disease (primary tumour and/or metastasis) after complete induction chemotherapy according to the German neuroblastoma trial NB97 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: One-hundred-eleven patients had 123I-MIBG positive residual disease after complete induction chemotherapy. Forty patients received 131I-MIBG therapy using a median activity of 0.44 GBq/kg body weight. By univariate analysis, patients who underwent 131I-MIBG therapy had a better 3-year event free survival (3-y-EFS 46±8%) and 3-year overall survival (3-y-OS 58±9%) than 71 patients without 131I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 19±5%, p=0.003; 3-y-OS 43±6%, p=0.037). However, subgroup analysis of 66 patients who underwent high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) during treatment found a very similar outcome with 131I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 49±9%, 3-y-OS 59±10%) and without 131I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 33±9%, p=0.171; 3-y-OS 59±9%, p=0.285) due to the dominating effect of ASCT. By multivariate analysis, 131I-MIBG therapy had no impact on EFS (p=0.494) and OS (p=0.891). Only ASCT, external beam radiation therapy and MYCN amplification were important for EFS and OS. Conclusions: An independent advantage of I-131-MIBG therapy could not be proven in this retrospective analysis. The ongoing German Neuroblastoma Trial NB2004 will address the influence of 131I-MIBG therapy with emphasis on tumour dosimetry.

Quality control of involved-field radiotherapy for patients with early stage Hodgkin's lymphoma based on a central prospective review. Comparison of the results between two study generations of the German Hodgkin Study Group

PURPOSE

Based on experience in trials HD10 and HD11 (1998-2003), the radiotherapy reference center of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG) continued their central prospective radiation oncological review in trials HD13 and HD14. The purpose of this analysis was to identify the impact of this procedure on radiotherapeutic management and to compare findings with former trials.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2009, 1,710 patients were enrolled in the HD13 trial (early favorable stages) and 2,039 patients in the HD14 trial (early unfavorable stages). All patients received a total of 30 Gy involved-field (IF) radiotherapy within a combined modality approach.

RESULTS

For patients in HD13, there was a correction of disease involvement in 847/1,518 patients (56%), and for patients in HD14 in 1,370/1,905 patients (72%). Most discrepancies were observed in the lower mediastinum (19.2%), infraclavicular (31.7%), upper cervical (12.7%), and supraclavicular (10.8%) lymph nodes. This resulted in a change of disease stage in 241 (7%) patients and a shift into another study protocol in 66 (2%) patients. Due to the incorrect lymph node documentation of the participating study centers, the IF radiotherapy volume had to be enlarged in 1,063/3,423 patients (31%) and reduced in 244/3,423 patients (7.1%). These findings are comparable to the results of the quality control in the trials HD10 and HD11 (2,611 patients reviewed).

CONCLUSION

Central review of the diagnostic imaging and clinical findings of Hodgkin's lymphoma patients shows a considerable number of discrepancies compared with the local evaluation. Thus, meticulous evaluation of all imaging information in close collaboration between the radiation oncologist and diagnostic radiologist is mandatory.

[Requirements and performance profile of the Paediatric Radiation Oncology Working Group (APRO): evaluation of the present situation and description of future developments]

BACKGROUND

Radiation therapy is an integral component in the management of childhood malignancies and undergoes a continuous process of optimization within the prospective trials of the GPOH. At present there are approximately 20 active protocols, some specifying radio-oncological study questions, in which about 500 to 600 children annually are given radiotherapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The Pediatric Radiation Oncology Working Group (APRO) of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) represents the organizational link between GPOH and DEGRO. Their activities range from phrasing guidelines of radio-oncological therapy, through writing a protocol for a prospective study on radiation-induced late effects (RISK--in co-operation with GPOH, 695 patients registered so far) and organizing meetings for information transfer, to implementing radio-oncology within the prospective studies of the GPOH by establishing study chairs for radio-oncology when radio-oncological questions are a primary focus and/or to function as a reference institution for quality assurance. These activities also include individual case consultations outside the study proper. Twice annually the members of the APRO meet for an update on current knowledge and future directions where a representative of the GPOH is invited to contribute special aspects of pediatric oncology.

CONCLUSIONS

In the future, modern technology (intensity modulated radiotherapy, proton therapy, inclusion of imaging in treatment planning) will be part of disease management in pediatric oncology. A working group for modern radiotherapy technology was established to enhance this development. Prospective studies of the GPOH with primary or secondary radio-oncological questions require the implementation of corresponding tasks (documentation, monitoring, etc.) in order to meet future demands on clinical trials and to achieve the aims of the protocol. Consequently adequate financial support is indispensable.

Is there a benefit of 131 I-MIBG therapy in the treatment of children with stage 4 neuroblastoma? A retrospective evaluation of The German Neuroblastoma Trial NB97 and implications for The German Neuroblastoma Trial NB2004

AIM

(131)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((131)I-MIBG) therapy has been used in neuroblastoma treatment for many years but its value in high intensive first line treatment protocols is not exactly known.

PATIENTS, METHODS

Stage 4 neuroblastoma patients >1 year with (123)I-MIBG positive residual disease (primary tumour and/or metastasis) after complete induction chemotherapy according to the German neuroblastoma trial NB97 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

One-hundred-eleven patients had (123)I-MIBG positive residual disease after complete induction chemotherapy. Forty patients received (131)I-MIBG therapy using a median activity of 0.44 GBq/kg body weight. By univariate analysis, patients who underwent (131)I-MIBG therapy had a better 3-year event free survival (3-y-EFS 46 +/- 8%) and 3-year overall survival (3-y-OS 58 +/- 9%) than 71 patients without (131)I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 19 +/- 5%, p = 0.003; 3-y-OS 43 +/- 6%, p = 0.037). However, subgroup analysis of 66 patients who underwent high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) during treatment found a very similar outcome with (131)I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 49 +/- 9%, 3-y-OS 59 +/- 10%) and without (131)I-MIBG therapy (3-y-EFS 33 +/- 9%, p = 0.171; 3-y-OS 59 +/- 9%, p = 0.285) due to the dominating effect of ASCT. By multivariate analysis, (131)I-MIBG therapy had no impact on EFS (p = 0.494) and OS (p = 0.891). Only ASCT, external beam radiation therapy and MYCN amplification were important for EFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

An independent advantage of I-131-MIBG therapy could not be proven in this retrospective analysis. The ongoing German Neuroblastoma Trial NB2004 will address the influence of (131)I-MIBG therapy with emphasis on tumour dosimetry.

[Endovascular gamma-irradiation for prevention or restenosis after angioplasty of femoropopliteal de-novo-stenoses-long-term results of a feasibility study]

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the performance and efficacy of endovascular irradiation after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of de-novo femoropopliteal stenoses in a pilot study.

METHODS

6 patients received non-centered endovascular irradiation (12 Gray at surface of the vessel wall) immediately after angioplasty of de-novo femoropopliteal stenosis, 1 patient was given centered endovascular irradiation using 192-iridium (12 Gray at surface of the vessel wall) Centered irradiation was considered for two other patients. Duplex sonographies and interviews were performed the day before and after PTA and after 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months up to 4 years. Intraarterial angiography was performed in symptomatic patients.

RESULTS

Non-centered endovascular irradiation was possible in all patients without problems or complications. Centered irradiation was not possible in two patients with the cross-over approach. One thromboembolic complication occurred during centered irradiation. Both restenosis and new stenosis at the edge of irradiated distance occurred in 1/7 patients. No other side effects were observed during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In our pilot study endovascular irradiation after angioplasty of de-novo femoropopliteal stenosis was possible with low rates of complications and restenosis and taking vessel anatomy into account.

[The effect of methylprednisolone on the course of the experimental tourniquet-shock in dogs (author's transl)]

In experiments in dogs rubber tourniquets were tied around both hind limbs as close to the hip as possible, and a 4-h acute ischemia was induced. With the removal of the tourniquets the tourniquet-shock was produced. In a control group no therapy of the shock was carried out. The animals were observed for 6 h. In a second group, methylprednisolone 40 mg/kg BW was given immediately after revascularisation. In a third group, methylprednisolone 40 mg/kg was given prophylactically 10 min before the tourniquets were applied and therapeutically as soon as the blood circulation was opened. Hemodynamic parameters and renal function were measured to examine the pharmacological effect of methylprednisolone in acute tourniquet-shock. The mortality rate in the control group was 90%, while it was 50% by therapeutic and/or prophylactic application of methylprednisolone. The prophylactic application of methylprednisolone reduced development of metabolic acidosis, hemoconcentration, and hyperkaliemia during ischemia so that a mitigated course of shock was observed.