Adjuvant Etoposide for Very High-risk PFA Ependymoma: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Pediatric oncology
• Molecular genetics

Background:

• Posterior fossa type A ependymomas (PF-A) with combined 1q gain and 6q loss present an ultra-high risk of recurrence.
• These genetic alterations are associated with a significantly poor prognosis in ependymoma patients.

Observation:

• A case study involving a 4-year-old girl diagnosed with PF-A ependymoma.
• The patient underwent conventional treatment including surgery and focal radiation therapy.
• Adjuvant therapy with oral etoposide was administered for one year post-conventional treatment.

Findings:

• The patient achieved and maintained clinical and radiologic remission for 2.5 years post-diagnosis.
• This suggests a potential benefit of oral etoposide in managing ultra-high-risk ependymoma.

Implications:

• Adjuvant oral etoposide may be a viable strategy to reduce relapse risk in pediatric PF-A ependymoma with 6q loss.
• Further clinical trials are warranted to validate this therapeutic approach in ependymoma treatment.