Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Endobronchial Ultrasound-guided Intratumoral Injection of Cisplatin for the Treatment of Isolated Mediastinal Recurrence of Lung Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2017
Chemotherapy with cisplatin and vincristine for optic pathway/hypothalamic astrocytoma in young children
Yutaka Sawamura1, Yuuta Kamoshima, Tsutomu Kato
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan. ysawamu@med.hokudai.ac.jp
Insights
This study shows that a chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin and vincristine is effective for treating aggressive optic pathway/hypothalamic astrocytomas (OPHA) in young children, leading to tumor shrinkage and good tolerance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Optic pathway/hypothalamic astrocytomas (OPHA) in young children often exhibit rapid growth.
- These aggressive tumors frequently necessitate intensive induction chemotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a cisplatin and vincristine chemotherapy regimen.
- To assess treatment outcomes in young children with large, progressive OPHA.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen children with large OPHA (median age 3 years) received 6–8 cycles of cisplatin and vincristine chemotherapy.
- Tumor response, including complete, partial, and minor responses, was assessed.
- Patient tolerance was monitored, with audiological surveillance.
Main Results:
- An objective response rate of 73% was observed in 11 patients.
- All patients experienced tumor volume decrease, with 4 cases showing stable disease.
- The chemotherapy regimen was well-tolerated by all children.
Conclusions:
- Cisplatin and vincristine chemotherapy is a beneficial induction regimen for children with aggressive, deep-seated pilocytic astrocytomas.
- This approach offers a useful treatment option for challenging pediatric OPHA cases.
Objective:
Optic pathway/hypothalamic astrocytomas (OPHA) in young children often show accelerated growth and require rather intensive induction chemotherapy.
Methods:
Fifteen children (median age: 3 years) with a large OPHA were treated. All of them presented with progressive disease, and the tumor size was larger than 34 mm. Pilocytic astrocytoma was confirmed histologically in 10 patients. Eleven patients had visual disturbance, six had diencephalic syndrome and four had hydrocephalus.
Results:
The children received six to eight cycles of cisplatin (20 mg/m(2): days 1-5) and vincristine (1.4 mg/m(2): days 1, 8, 15), every 4 weeks. Objective response was obtained in 11 patients (73%); one complete response, eight partial responses and two minor responses. Although the remaining four cases were evaluated as stable disease, all tumors decreased in volume. All children tolerated the chemotherapy well under careful audiological monitoring.
Conclusion:
Although the present series was small, this chemotherapy is a useful regimen for induction therapy in children with an aggressive deep-seated pilocytic astrocytoma.
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
02:56Treatment Resistent Cancers
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...