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Survival of children with malignant brain tumors receiving valproate: a retrospective study

F H C Felix1, O L de Araujo, K M da Trindade

  • 1Pediatric Hemato-oncology Service, Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, R Alberto Montezuma, 350, Vila Uniao, 60410-770 Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. heldercfelix@gmail.com

Child'S Nervous System : Chns : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
|December 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Valproate as a prophylactic treatment for pediatric brain tumors showed a trend toward improved survival, but results were not statistically significant. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy in this patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Malignant brain tumors remain a significant challenge in pediatric oncology.
  • Valproate has demonstrated positive effects on survival in adult glioblastoma patients.
  • Prophylactic antiepileptic drug use is common in newly diagnosed pediatric brain tumor patients.

Observation:

  • A retrospective study evaluated 94 pediatric patients (2000-2010) with malignant brain tumors.
  • 47 patients received prophylactic valproate (10-15 mg/kg/day), while 47 did not.
  • Median follow-up was 60 months.

Findings:

  • Patients receiving valproate had a median survival of 34 months compared to 24 months in the untreated group.
  • The observed survival benefit was not statistically significant (hazard ratio = 0.99, p = 0.99).
  • The study cohort suggested a potentially larger effect size than previously reported trials.

Implications:

  • The prophylactic use of valproate in pediatric malignant brain tumors requires further investigation.
  • Carefully designed clinical trials are necessary to definitively assess valproate's impact on survival.
  • Results suggest a need for continued research into novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric brain tumors.
Abstract

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