Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Intracranial Cannula Implantation for Serial Locoregional Chimeric Antigen Receptor CAR T Cell Infusions in Mice
Published on: February 24, 2023
A single-institution pediatric and young adult interventional oncology collaborative: Novel therapeutic options for
Raja Shaikh1, Brent R Weil2,3, Christopher B Weldon2,3
1Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Background:
Pediatric interventional oncology (PIO) is a growing field intended to provide additional or alternative treatment options for pediatric patients with benign or malignant tumors. Large series of patients treated uniformly and subjected to rigorous endpoints for efficacy are not available.
Methods:
We designed a collaborative initiative to capture data from pediatric patients with benign and malignant tumors who underwent a therapeutic interventional radiology procedure. Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) was utilized as a measure of radiologic response and data were collected regarding improvement in pain and functional endpoints. Cumulative incidence of progressive disease was calculated using both the treated site and the patient as the analytic unit.
Findings:
Forty patients, 16 with malignant tumors and 24 with benign tumors, underwent a total of 88 procedures. Cryo- and radiofrequency ablation were the most frequently utilized techniques for both cohorts of patients. A complete or partial response, or prolonged disease stability, were achieved in approximately 40% of patients with malignant tumors and 60% of patients with benign tumors. No patients had progressive disease as their best response. Resolution of pain and improved mobility with return-to-baseline activity were demonstrated across patients from both cohorts. Only minor complications were experienced.
Interpretation:
Interventional radiology-guided interventions can serve as an alternative or complementary approach to the treatment of benign and malignant tumors in pediatric patients. Prospective, multi-institutional trials are required to adequately study utility, treatment endpoints, and durability of response.
Insights
Pediatric interventional oncology procedures offer effective treatment for pediatric tumors, showing significant response rates and improved patient function. Further multi-institutional trials are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and durability.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric interventional oncology (PIO) is an emerging field for treating pediatric tumors.
- Limited data exists on uniform treatment protocols and efficacy endpoints in PIO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of interventional radiology procedures in pediatric patients with benign and malignant tumors.
- To evaluate radiologic response, pain reduction, and functional improvement.
Main Methods:
- A collaborative initiative collected data from 40 pediatric patients (16 malignant, 24 benign) undergoing therapeutic interventional radiology procedures.
- Modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) was used for radiologic response assessment.
- Pain and functional endpoints were tracked, and cumulative incidence of progressive disease was calculated.
Main Results:
- Approximately 40% of malignant and 60% of benign tumor patients achieved complete/partial response or stable disease.
- No patients experienced progressive disease as their best response.
- Significant improvements in pain, mobility, and activity levels were observed with only minor complications.
Conclusions:
- Interventional radiology-guided interventions are a viable alternative or complementary treatment for pediatric tumors.
- Prospective, multi-institutional trials are essential to further define utility, endpoints, and durability.
Related Concept Videos
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
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...
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...