Oxaliplatin and Doxorubicin for relapsed or refractory high-risk neuroblastoma

Patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma have poor long-term survival. New therapeutic regimens are needed. Doxorubicin and cisplatin are commonly used in the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. Oxaliplatin, a platinum compound with a 1,2-diaminocyclohexan carrier ligand, is more potent than cisplatin with less nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. We treated seven relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma patients using oxaliplatin (105-130 mg/m(2)) and doxorubicin (60-75 mg/m(2)) together with dexrazoxane (10 mg/mg of doxorubicin) administered intravenously every three weeks. Prolonged thrombocytopenia causing treatment delay was observed when oxaliplatin was administered at 130 mg/m(2). A reduced dose of oxaliplatin 105 mg/m(2) on day 1 with doxorubicin at 20 mg/m(2)/dose on days 1-3 was well tolerated. Sensory neuropathies were mild and transient. No cardiotoxicity was noted despite all patients having a history of prior anthracycline exposure. Best responses included 1 complete response, 1 partial response, 1 mixed response, 3 stable diseases. In our cohort of heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory neuroblastoma patients, the combination of oxaliplatin and doxorubicin demonstrated anti-tumor activity and merits further investigation.