Pilot study of sequential combination chemotherapy in advanced and recurrent retinoblastoma

Eight patients with advanced/recurrent retinoblastomas were treated with sequential combination chemotherapy incorporating cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, adriamycin, and etoposide. All patients achieved complete clinical response (CR) at the end of the first 75 day cycle. Three patients developed recurrence of which 2 patients had recurrence in the central nervous system and 1 patient had local recurrence. Median time to treatment failure was 30 weeks. Two patients succumbed to chemotherapy related neutropenic sepsis. One patient is alive and disease free for 72 weeks from start of treatment. This combination chemotherapy shows promise in patients with advanced/recurrent retinoblastoma and merits further study.