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21Cellular Therapy and Transplantation (CTT). Vol. 10, No. 1, 2021 doi: 10.18620/ctt-1866-8836-2021-10-1-44-54 Submitted: 11 March 2021, accepted: 09 April 2021
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid CNS tumors
Liudmila V. Olkhova ', Olga G. Zheludkova 2, Ludmila S. Zubarovskaya 3, Anna Yu. Smirnova 4, Yulia V. Dinikina 4'5, Asmik G. Gevorgyan 3, Andrey S. Levashov 6, Elena V. Skorobogatova 1
1 Russian Pediatric Clinical Hospital, N. N. Pirogov Russian National Medical University, Moscow, Russia
2 St. Luke Clinical Research Center for Children, Moscow, Russia
3 RM Gorbacheva Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantation, Pavlov University, St. Petersburg, Russia
4 V. A. Almazov National Medical Research Center, St. Petersburg, Russia
5 St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
6 N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, Moscow, Russia
Dr. Liudmila V. Olkhova, Pediatric Oncologist, Department Phone: +7 (995) 707 5140
of Bone Marrow Transplantation, Russian Pediatric Clinical E-mail: [email protected]
Hospital, N. N. Pirogov Russian National Medical University, Leninsky Ave 117, 119571, Moscow, Russia
Citation: Olkhova LV, Zheludkova OG, Zubarovskaya LS et al. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid CNS tumors. Cell Ther Transplant 2021; 10(1): 44-54.
Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) of central nervous system (CNS) is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, predominantly observed in young children. There are no established approaches to CNS ATRT management nowadays. This retrospective study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and prognostic factors of high dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation HDCT/auto-HSCT in pediat-ric CNS ATRT. Thirty CNS ATRT patients treated with HDCT/auto-HSCT were enrolled in the analysis. Median age was 19.5 months. There were 11 (36.6%) infants and 19 (63.4%) children older than 12 months, among them 21 (70%) boys and 9 (30%) girls. Infratentorial tumor was diagnosed in 7 patients (56.7%) and supraten-torial in 13 (43.3%). All children initially received surgery with total resection (n=8, 26.7%), subtotal resection (n=9, 30%), partial resection (n=11, 36.6%) and biopsy (n=2, 6.7%). The majority of patients had M+ stage (n=16, 53.3%) and the minority had M-0 stage (n=12, 40%), while stage wasn't clarified (Mx) in 2 (6.7%) cases. After surgery everyone received treatment according to
various protocols: EU-RHAB (n=12, 40%), MUV-ATRT (n=11, 36.7%), individual therapy (n=7, 23.3%). Radiotherapy (RT) was performed in 24 children (80%) after HDCT/auto-HSCT. The majority of patients (n=22, 73.3%) received intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy. The disease status was assessed in all cases prior to HDCT/auto-HSCT with complete response (CR) in 12 (40%), partial response (PR) in 8 (26.7%) and stabilization (S) in 10 (33.3%). Single auto-HSCT was performed in the majority of patients (n=21, 70%) and tandem transplants were carried out in 9 cases only (30%). In total, 39 transplants were performed. Peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSC) were the transplant source in 27 children (90%), and combination of PBSC and bone marrow (BM), in 3 (10%). Five-year eventfree survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 44%. The majority of relapses were diagnosed during first 24 months after disease onset. These data are comparable to the most international results. Survival of CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT was statistically significantly higher after total tumor resection, RT, intra-ventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy, and CR prior to transplantation.
Keywords
Children, young age, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, central nervous system, chemotherapy, high-dose, radiation therapy, clinical outcomes, survival, prognostic factors.
Introduction
Central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a rare aggressive malignancy, which comprises 1-2% of brain and spinal neoplasms [1, 2]. Median age at diagnosis is 1 year with male predominance 1.5:1.3 [3, 4, 5, 6]. Nowadays, there are no established standards in the treatment of CNS ATRT. Various management approaches exist for different countries and institutions. Despite this uncertainty, surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (in older children) is, without doubt, the cornerstone of their treatment [7, 8]. HDCT/auto-HSCT is used in children under 3 years, intending for canceling or postponing radiation therapy (RT) and reduce the risk of long-term neuro-cognitive disorders and improve outcome [9, 10, 11]. Despite intensive multimodal therapy, the majority of patients with ATRT develop relapses [10, 11, 12]. Prognosis for CNS ATRT remains dismal, especially in children with residual tumor and metastatic disease.
The aim of present study was to assess effectiveness and define prognostic factors in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/ auto-HSCT.
Patients and methods
Trial design
This retrospective multicentric continuous cooperative study was performed between 2008 and 2020 in V. A. Al-mazov NMRC, RM Gorbacheva Research Institute, Pavlov University, and Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Eligibility criteria: the study included 30 patients aged <18 with histologically verified CNS ATRT and complex treatment performed according to different protocols, including HDCT/auto-HSCT.
The surviving patients were censored by 1 February 2021. Overall survival was calculated from the date of surgery up to death or up to the last follow up. Event-free survival was calculated from the date of surgery up to the date of unfavorable event (death, relapse, progression), or up to last follow up.
Clinical characteristics of patients
A total of 30 patients < 18 years old with median age of 19.5 months were enrolled in the study from different regions of Russian Federation. Initial characteristics of patients are presented in Table 1. There were 11 (36.6%) infants, and 19 (63.4%) children aged over 12 months, among them 21 (70%) boys and 9 (30%) girls. Infratentorial tumor was diagnosed in 7 patients (56.7%) and supratentorial - in 13 (43.3%).
Molecular biologic subgroups were identified only in 7 patients: ATRT-SHH (n=4), ATRT-MYC (n=1) and ATRT TYR (n=2). All children initially received surgery with total tumor resection (n=8, 26.7%), subtotal resection (n=9, 30.0%), partial resection (n=11, 36.6%) and biopsy (n=2, 6.7%). The majority of patients had M+ stage (n=16, 53.3%) and minor subgroup had M-0 stage (n=12, 40%), with non-classified stage (Mx) in 2 cases (6.7%). After surgery, everyone received treatment according to various protocols: EU-RHAB (n=12, 40%), MUV-ATRT (n=11, 36.7%), individual therapy (n=7, 23.3%). There was no radiotherapy (RT) prior to HDCT/auto-HSCT in children with ATRT. RT after transplantation was performed in 24 children (80%): local RT (n=16, 60%), cranio-spinal irradiation (n=6, 20%), and no RT (n=6, 20%). The majority of patients (n=22, 73.3%) received intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy. Disease status was assessed in all 12 cases (40%) prior to HDCT/ auto-HSCT with complete response (CR); partial response (PR), in 8 (26.7%), and stabilization (S) in 10 (33.3%). Single auto-HSCT was performed in majority of patients (n=21, 70%), and tandem transplant, only in 9 cases (30%). Total number of transplants was 39. Prior to auto-HSCT peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells (PBSC) or bone marrow (BM) were harvested. PBSC were the transplant source in 27 children (90%), and combination of PBSC and BM was used in 3 cases (10%).
Conditioning regimen for single auto-HSCT in the majority of cases (n=13, 43.3%) consisted of thiotepa 300 mg/m2, carboplatin 500 mg/m2 and etoposide 250 mg/m2 on Days -6, -5, -4 (Table 2). Carboplatin 500 mg/m2 and thiotepa 300 mg/m2 on Days -6, -5, -4 were used in 8 patients (26.7%). First conditioning regimen consisted of carboplatin 500 mg/m2 and etoposide 250 mg/m2 on Days -8, -7, -6, -5 and second conditioning regimen consisted of thiotepa 300 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 1500 mg/m2 on Days -4,-3,-2 in 7 children (23.3%) with tandem transplantation. Carbo-platin 510 mg/m2 and thiotepa 300 mg/m2 on Days -4, -3 for both transplantations were used in 2 patients (6.7%). Time interval between first and second HDCT was 4-6 weeks. Chemotherapy was calculated according to pre-trans-plant levels of glomerular filtration rate, cardiac output and audiometry. Mean number of infused CD34+ cells was 4.98x106/kg (1.9-9.2).
Statistical evaluation
Data collection and clarification, systematization of initial information and visualization in digital tables were performed by means of Microsoft Office Excel (2016). Python was used for statistical analysis (Python 3.8.). Calculations were based on built-in function modules (Scipy and Lifelines).
Table 1. Characteristics of CNS ATRT patients and HDCT/auto-HSCT
Parameter Value
Number %
Sex (n=30)
Male 21 7000
Female 9 3000
Age at diagnosis (n=30)
<12 months 11 36.600
>12 months 19 63.400
Range (min-max), months 1-64
Median, months 19.5
Tumor localization (n=30)
infratentorial 17 56.700
Supratentorial 13 43.300
Stage (n=30)
МО 12 4000
M+ 16 53.300
Mx 2 6.700
Tumor resection (n=30)
Total resection 8 26.700
Subtotal resection 9 3000
Partial resection 11 36.600
Biopsy 2 6.700
Chemotherapy protocol (n=30)
EU-RHAB 12 4000
MUV-ATRT 11 36.700
individual therapy 7 23.300
Radiotherapy (n=30)
Local RT 18 6000
Craniospinal irradiation 6 2000
No RT 6 2000
Intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy (n=30)
Yes 22 73.300
No 8 26.700
Status prior to HDCT/auto-HSCT (n=30)
Complete response 12 4000
Stabilization 10 33.300
Partial response 8 26.700
Stem cell source (n=30)
PBSC 27 9000
PBSC+BM 3 1000
Table 2. Conditioning regimens for HDCT/auto-HSCT in CNS ATRT patients.
Drugs Route of administration Total dosage (mg\m2) Number of patients (%)
Single HDCT
Carboplatin intravenous 1500 13 (43.300)
Etoposide intravenous 750
Thiotepa intravenous 900
Carboplatin intravenous 1500 8 (26.700)
Thiotepa intravenous 900
Tandem HDCT
1. HDCT 7 (23.300)
Carboplatin intravenous 2000
Etoposide intravenous 1000
2. HDCT
Thiotepa intravenous 900
Cyclophosphamide intravenous 4500
2 cycles of HDCT: 2 (6.700)
Carboplatin intravenous 1020
Thiotepa intravenous 600
The Shapiro-Wilk test demonstrated absence of normal distribution of data in the study. It required usage of non-parametric statistics for further analysis.
The surviving patients were censored by 1 February 2021. Overall survival was calculated from the date of surgery up to death or last follow-up. Event-free survival was calculated from the date of intervention up to the date of unfavorable event (death, relapse, progression), or to the last follow-up. Median values describe the central values of distribution. Quantiles (Me [Q1; Q3]) and range of variation were used for assessment of variables. Mann-Whitney U-test compared independent samples in the absence of normal distribution. Nominal data obtained for independent research groups were compared using Pearson's Chi-squared test. Survival and cumulative incidence of events were calculated according to Kaplan-Meier method. Survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. Clinical outcomes were analyzed by multifactorial analysis (Cox regression). Stepwise regression was chosen for regression assessment, starting with maximal number of predictors. At each next step, the model excludes less valuable predictors. The procedure was stopped when the only independent variables remained, that were statistically significant. Statistical significance was assumed at p-value of < 0.05.
Results
At the time of analysis, 18 children (60%) were alive and 12 (40%) died, among them 11 (91.6%) succumbed to ATRT progression and 1 (8.4%) to infectious complications in early post-trasnplant period. There were no cases of secondary tumors. Among children of ATRT-SHH molecular subgroup 2 died of progression and 2 were alive and in remission. Patient with ATRT-MYC molecular subgroup died of progression and 2 children with ATRT TYR stayed alive and in remission at the last follow up.
According to Kaplan-Meier statistical method EFS of the whole cohort (n=30) was 0.87 [0.68; 0.95] at 1 year, 0.49 [0.3; 0.67] at 2 years and 0.44 [0.24; 0.62] at 5 years (Fig. 1). Median EFS was 23 months [16.0; 102]. Worth of note, the majority of relapses in children with CNS ATRT occured during first 24 months after diagnosis.
OS was 0.97 [0.79; 1.0] at 1 year, 0.7 [0.49; 0.84] at 2 years, 0.44 [0.22; 0.64] at 5 years (Fig. 2). Median OS was 44 months [22.0; 102].
Analysis of prognostic factors in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT was performed. The results of univariate analysis are presented in Table 3.
In univariate analysis extent of resection, radiotherapy, intra-ventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy and disease status prior to auto-HSCT demonstrated statistically significant impact on EFS. Survival curves are presented on Figures 3a-3d.
Upon univariate analysis, EFS in patients with CNS ATRT after HDCT/auto-HSCT was statistically significantly higher after total resection compared to subtotal resection, partial resection or biopsy: 1.0 [1.0; 1.0]; 0.37 [0.07; 0.69]; 0.15 [0.01; 0.46]; 0,00 [0.00; 0.00], respectively (p<0.001) (Fig. 3A); in the patients with RT versus children without RT: 0.56 [0.31; 0.75] and 0.00 [0.00; 0.00], respectively (p<0.001) (Fig. 3B); in the patients with intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy than in children without this local approach: 0.55 [0.29; 0.75] and 0.13 [0.01; 0.42], respectively (p=0.0005) (Fig. 3C); and in complete responders prior to auto-HSCT compared to PR and stable disease: 0.88 [0.39; 0.98]; 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] and 0.47 [0.12; 0.76], respectively (p<0.001), as seen from Fig. 3D.
Such factors as extent of tumor resection, radiotherapy, in-traventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy, disease status prior to HDCT demonstrated statistically significant impact on OS (the survival curves are shown on Figures 4A to 4D).
Upon univariate analysis, OS in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT was statistically significantly higher after total resection compared to subtotal resection, partial resection or biopsy: 1.0 [1.0; 1.0]; 0.62 [0.23; 0.86]; 0.0 [0.0; 0.0]; 0,00 [0.00; 0.00] 0,00 [0.00; 0.00], respectively (p<0.001), as senn in Fig. 4A; in the patients with RT compared to children without RT: 0.57 [0.29; 0.78] and 0,00 [0.00; 0.00], respectively (p<0.001) depicted in Fig. 4B; in the patients with intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy than in children without this local approach: 0.56 [0.25; 0.78] and 0.13 [0.01; 0.42], respectively (p=0.0001, Fig. 4C); and in complete re-sponders prior to auto-HSCT compared to PR and stable disease: 1.0 [1.0; 1.0]; 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] and 0.0 [0.0; 0.0], respectively (p<0.001), as shown in Fig. 4D.
EFS - event free survival OS - Overall survival
Figure 1. Event-free survival (EFS) of CNS ATRT patients Figure 2. Overall survival in CNS ATRT patients after after HDCT/auto-HSCT HDCT/auto-HSCT
Table 3. Prognosis of CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT according to different factors
Factors Event free survival (EFS) Overall survival (OS)
Median survival [95% CI] Median time, months [95% CI] Log Rank, р Median survival [95°% CI] Median time, months [95°% CI] Log Rank, р
Age <12 months (n=ll) >12 months (n=19) 0.62 [0.28; 0.84] 0.32 [0.1; 0.57] - [12.0; -] 23.0 [16.0; -] 0.3866 0.52 [0.15; 0.8] 0.37 [0.13; 0.62] - [16.0; -] 38.0 [20.0; -] 0.5569
Sex Male (n=21) Female (n=9) 0.55 [0.31; 0.74] 0.33 [0.08; 0.62] - [15.0; -] 23.0 [6.0; -] 0.7295 0.48 [0.2; 0.72] 0.42 [0.11; 0.71] 44.0 [19.0; -] 45.0 [20.0; -] 0.8184
Tumor localization Infratentorial (n=17) Supratentorial (n=13) 0.51 [0.26; 0.72] 0.23 [0.01; 0.6] - [14.0; -] 23.0 [16.0; -] 0.6511 0.45 [0.18; 0.68] 0.4 [0.08; 0.73] 45.0 [21.0; -] 38.0 [19.0; -] 0.7290
Stage М0 (n=12) М+ or multifocal tumor (n=16) Мх (n=2) 0.46 [0.16; 0.72] 0.52 [0.24; 0.74] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] 39.0 [12.0; -] - [17.0; -] 9.0 [9.0; 23.0] 0.322 0.52 [0.2; 0.77] 0.41 [0.11; 0.7] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [19.0; -] 45.0 [22.0; -] 13.0 [13.0;38.0] 0.1952
Extent of resection Total (n=8) Subtotal (n=9) Partial (n=11) Biopsy (n=2) 1.0 [1.0; 1.0] 0.37 [0.07; 0.69] 0.15 [0.01; 0.46] 0.00 [0.00; 0.00] - [-; -] 39.0 [6.0; -] 19.0 [14.0;23.0] 6.0 [6.0; 12.0] <0.001* 1.0 [1.0; 1.0] 0.62 [0.23; 0.86] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [-; -] - [19.0; -] 32.0 [19.0;45.0] 6.0 [6.0; 16.0] <0.001*
Chemotherapy protocol EU-RHAB (n=12) MUV-ATRT (n=11) Individual therapy (n=7) 0.4 [0.14; 0.66] 0.7 [0.33; 0.89] 0.29 [0.04; 0.61] 15.0 [9.0; -] - [16.0; -] 23.0 [6.0; -] 0.1826 0.32 [0.08; 0.6] 0.5 [0.06; 0.84] 0.43 [0.1; 0.73] 21.0 [13.0; -] 45.0 [44.0; -] 38.0 [20.0; -] 0.0854
Radiotherapy Radiotherapy + (n=24) Radiotherapy - (n=6) 0.56 [0.31; 0.75] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [19.0; -] 12.0 [6.0; 23.0] <0.001* 0.57 [0.29; 0.78] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [32.0; -] 19.0 [6.0; 38.0] <0,001*
Intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy Yes (n=22) No (n=8) 0.55 [0.29; 0.75] 0.13 [0.01; 0.42] - [23.0; -] 15.0 [6.0; 17.0] 0.0005* 0.56 [0.25; 0.78] 0.13 [0.01; 0.42] - [38.0; -] 19.0 [6.0; 22.0] 0.0001*
Disease status prior to HDCT/auto-HSCT Complete response (n=12) Stabilization (n=10) Partial response (n=8) 0.88 [0.39; 0.98] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] 0.47 [0.12; 0.76] - [39.0; -] 13.0 [6.0; 19.0] 18.0 [14.0; -] <0.001* 1.0 [1.0; 1.0] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [-; -] 19.0 [6.0; 32.0] 45.0 [20.0;45.0] <0.001*
Single/Tandem auto-HSCT Single (n=21) Tandem (n=9) 0.43 [0.18; 0.67] 0.44 [0.14; 0.72] 39.0 [16.0; -] 23.0 [12.0; -] 0.9284 0.39 [0.11; 0.67] 0.44 [0.14; 0.72] 45.0 [22.0; -] 38.0 [16.0; -] 0.8775
Stem cell source PBSC (n=27) BM+PBSC (n=3) 0.5 [0.28; 0.69] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [16.0; -] 19.0 [6.0; 23.0] 0.1006 0.53 [0.29; 0.73] 0.0 [0.0; 0.0] - [21.0; -] 38.0 [25.0;44.0] 0.2450
EFS - event free survival
EFS - event free survival
A
EFS - event free survival
Complete response
- Stabilization
--Partial response
EFS - event free survival
J
C
D
Figure 3. Event-free survival in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT according to different factors: a - extent of resection; b - radiotherapy, c - intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy; d - disease status prior to auto-HSCT
OS - Overall survival
OS - Overall survival
A
OS - Overall survival
Ы
Radiotherapy + Radiotherapy -
1
OS - Overall survival
Complete response - Stabilization • Partial response
40 60
timeline
Figure 4. Overall survival of CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT according to different factors: a, extent of tumor resection; b, radiotherapy; c, intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy; d, disease status prior to auto-HSCT
20
40 60
timeline
80
100
20
40 60
80
100
B
20
40 60
timeline
80
100
20
40 60
80
100
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40 60
timeline
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40 60
timeline
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B
20
80
100
20
40 60
80
100
C
D
Radiotherapy +
Intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy
Disease status prior to auto-HSCT
Disease stage
A
Number of transplants
2 4
log(HR) (95% CI)
8 10
Intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy -
Disease status prior to auto-HSCT -
Radiotherapy + -
Extent of resection -
Tumor localization "
0.0 2.5
log(HR) (95% CI)
Figure 5. Multivariate analysis of EFS (a) and OS (b) by Cox Proportional Hazard Model
Figure 5A demonstrates that final model of EFS includes such variables as RT, disease stage, intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy, disease status prior to auto-HSCT, number of transplants.
Figure 5B demonstrates that final model of OS includes age, tumor localization, extent of resection, radiotherapy, intra-ventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy and disease status prior to auto-HSCT.
Duration of cytopenia varied from 6 to 24 days with median of 11 days after hematopoietic stem cell reinfusion. Toxic-ity of HDCT/auto-HSCT was assessed according to international criteria (CTCAE v.4.0), with the following items: ototoxicity, neurotoxicity, infections, nephrotoxicity, nausea/vomiting, mucositis, skin toxicity, hepatotoxicity, lung toxicity, cardiotoxicity.
During the study period, 21 single and 9 tandem transplants were performed in 30 patients. Total number of transplants reached 39, and they were separately analyzed according to 5-scale CTCAE recommendations. Distribution according to toxicity was as follows: Grade I - 32 %( n=58), Grade II -46% (n=83), Grade III - 15% (n=27) and Grade IV - 7% (n=13) as shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 demonstrates that that the majority of Stage IV complications were mucositis and infections (sepsis).
Figure 6. Toxicity distribution according to CTCAE in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT
B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39
Ototoxicity
Neurologic
Infection
Nephrologie
Nausia/Vomiting
Mucositis
Skin
Liver
Pulmonary
Cardiac
Figure 7. Toxicity distribution according to grade, organs and systems in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT
Note: Grade 0, marked grey; Grade I, blue; Grade II, green; Grade III, yellow, and Grade IV, in red colour
Distribution of Grade II-IV toxicity, of the most commonly affected organs and systems was as follows: gastrointestinal mucositis (90%, n=35), infectious complications (85%, n=33), nausea/vomiting (49%, n=19), hepatotoxicity (49%, n=19) as shown in Fig. 8.
There were no statistically significant differences in organ and system toxicity after single versus tandem transplants (Fig. 9).
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
1=
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Figure 8. Distribution of Grade ll-l toxicity according to organs and systems in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/ auto-HSCT
Figure 9. Comparative toxicity characteristics after single (blue bars) vs tandem (red bars) HDCT/auto-HSCT in CNS ATRT patients
Discussion
CNS ATRT is a rare malignancy with poor prognosis that is predominantly diagnosed in young children [3, 4]. Nowadays there are no established standards for the treatment of CNS ATRT and prognosis remains dismal. It is generally accepted that in ATRT surgery should be followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with probable inclusion of RT depending on age [7, 8]. HDCT/auto-HSCT may be used for the intensification of first line therapy with the intention to postpone RT in young children. Nowadays there is no consensus concerning the role of HDCT/auto-HSCT in the treatment of ATRT due to limited patient number, differences in conditioning regimens and RT.
Initially HDCT/auto-HSCT was used by Hilden and coauthors in 2004 as part of therapy for CNS ATRT in 13 patients. Among 9 patients that received auto-HSCT 46% remained alive and disease-free with total tumor resection in half and RT in only third [1]. According to data of Tekautz and coauthors [2] that were published in 2005 nine patients older than 3 years that were treated with craniospinal irradiation and HDCT demonstrated 2-year OS of 89±11%. In the Head Start II study 1-3 cycles of HDCT with carboplatin, thiotepa and etoposide were performed after induction therapy with high dose metotrexate (HD-MTX). It is worth mentioning that patients after HS I scheme (without HD-MTX) demonstrated inferior outcome compared to children with HDCT HS II (all 6 patients died of progression as opposed to 3 out of 7 alive and disease free patients). There was no RT in long term survivors [13]. Headstart III trial (n=19) that included surgical resection of the tumor, 5 cycles of induction chemotherapy with HD-MTX and myeloablative HDCT/ auto-HSCT demonstrated 3-year OS and EFS of 26% and 21%, respectively [14]. It is important to mention that 5 cases of treatment related mortality (TRM) on induction therapy were registered.
Lafay-Cousin and coauthors observed higher OS rates in the patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT compared to standard chemotherapy alone (2-year OS 47.9±12.1% and 27.3±9.5%, respectively) [15]. At the same time, it should be emphasized that among 9 survived patients after HDCT total tumor resection was performed in 55% and 67% had localized disease at diagnosis. In the EU-RHAB study (n=19) various
conditioning regimens for tandem and single auto-HSCT were used. OS and EFS at 2 years were 50% and 29%, respectively. There was no TRM [16]. In our study 12 patients treated according to EU-RHAB demonstrated OS and EFS of 40% and 32%, respectively.
Fossey and coauthors showed improved 5-year OS in ATRT patients under 1 year of age after HDCT/auto-HSCT compared to infants without HDCT (52.0% vs 10.7% respectively, p <0.001). Patients with CR prior to HDCT had significantly higher OS [17]. It underlines the importance of disease status prior to HDCT for prognosis and it is necessary to thoroughly select patients for HDCT.
It is worth of discussing the results obtained by Medical University of Vienna in CNS ATRT patients with M0-M3 stage (MUV). Treatment in post-surgery period included 3 blocks of 9-week chemotherapy with anthracyclines, alkylating agents, HD-MTX with addition of intrathecal chemotherapy (etoposide and cytarabine) and subsequent HDCT/auto-HSCT. Local RT was postponed until the end of chemotherapy. This cohort of patients demonstrated 100% OS and 88.9±10.58% EFS at 5 years, thus being significantly higher as for the control group (OS = 56.3±11.3%; EFS = 52.9±11%) treated with various other approaches. According to data of these workers, chemotherapy was well tolerated, timing delays and dose reduction due to toxicity were minimal [18]. In our study, 11 patients treated according to MUV protocol showed 3-year OS and EFS of 70% and 50%, respectively. These results are higher than in patients treated by other protocols, however, without significant difference.
In a recent study by Yamasaky et al. [19], in a group of 34 CNS ATRT patients, 19 received HDCT/auto-HSCT with tandem (n=13) transplantations in the majority of cases. Conditioning regimen consisted of thiotepa and melphalan. Two patients succumbed to sepsis in early post-transplant period. The study demonstrated better OS (p=0.025) in CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT compared to patients without HDCT. Protocol ACNS 0333 for the treatment of ATRT has been recently developed by the Children's Oncology Group (COG). It consists of induction chemotherapy combined with 3 cycles of HDCT/auto-HSCT and RT. The abovementioned study (n=65) demonstrated 4-year EFS and OS of 48% and 57%, respectively [9].
Conclusion
HDCT/auto-HSCT is an important treatment option for children with chemosensitive CNS ATRT. In our study, 5-year EFS and OS rates after transplantation were 44%. The majority of relapses occurred during 24 months after diagnosis. These results are comparable to the majority of international studies. Survival of CNS ATRT patients after HDCT/auto-HSCT was significantly higher after total tumor resection, radiotherapy, intraventricular/intrathecal chemotherapy and complete response prior to auto-HSCT. Thus HDCT/auto-HSCT can postpone RT in younger children with CNS ATRT, but cannot substitute it. There was no statistical significant difference in survival between the patients following single and tandem transplantations. According to our data, HDCT/auto-HSCT demonstrated acceptable
toxicity. Low incidence of CNS ATRT in children requires a large-scale multicentre randomized trials aiming for stratifying the patients into risk groups on the basis of clinical data, and clear indications for HDCT/auto-HSCT are crucial.
Conflict of interest
None reported.
References
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Высокодозная полихимиотерапия с аутологичной трансплантацией гемопоэтических стволовых клеток у детей с атипичной тератоид-рабдоидной опухолью центральной нервной системы
Людмила В. Ольхова Ольга Г. Желудкова 2, Людмила С. Зубаровская 3, Анна Ю. Смирнова 4, Юлия В. Диникина 4'5, Асмик Г. Геворгян 3, Андрей С. Левашов 6, Елена В. Скоробогатова 1
1 Обособленное структурное подразделение «Российская детская клиническая больница», Российский национальный медицинский университет им. Н. И. Пирогова, Москва, Россия
2 Научно-практический центр специализированной медицинской помощи им. В. Ф. Войно-Ясенецкого, Москва, Россия
3 НИИ детской онкологии, гематологии и трансплантологии им. Р. М. Горбачевой, Первый Санкт-Петербургский государственный медицинский университет им. акад. И. П. Павлова, Санкт-Петербург, Россия
4 Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр им. В. А. Алмазова, Санкт-Петербург, Россия
5 Санкт-Петербургский государственный педиатрический медицинский университет, Санкт-Петербург, Россия
6 Национальный медицинский исследовательский центр онкологии им. Н. Н. Блохина, Москва, Россия
Резюме
Атипичная тератоид-рабдоидная опухоль (АТРО) центральной нервной системы (ЦНС) - это агрессивная злокачественная опухоль, встречается преимущественно у детей младшего возраста и характеризуется плохим прогнозом. В настоящее время нет единых стандартов лечения АТРО ЦНС. Данное ретроспективное исследование выполнено с целью оценки результатов высокодозной полихимиотерапии (ВДХТ) с последующей аутологичной трансплантацией гемопоэтических стволовых клеток (ауто-ТГСК) у детей с АТРО ЦНС и определения влияния различных факторов прогноза на выживаемость. В исследование включены 30 больных с АТРО ЦНС, которые в протоколе терапии получали ВДХТ с ауто-ТГСК. Медиана возраста пациентов составила 19,5 месяцев [9; 27]. Распределение пациентов в зависимости от возраста было следующим: младше 12 месяцев - 11 (36,6%), старше 12 месяцев -19 (63,4%); по полу: мальчиков - 21 (70%) и девочек -9 (30%). Опухоль у 17 пациентов (56,7%) локализовалась инфратенториально, у 13 (43,3%) - супратен-ториально. Всем пациентам инициально выполнено хирургическое лечение в различных объемах: тотальное удаление опухоли - у 8 (26,7%) пациентов, субтотальное - у 9 (30,0%), частичное удаление -у 11 (36,6%), биопсия - у 2 (6,7%). В анализируемой группе преобладали больные с М+ стадией заболевания - 16 пациентов (53,3%), у 12 (40,0%) метас-тазирование и опухолевые клетки отсутствовали, установлена М0-стадия, у 2 (6,7%) - стадия заболевания не уточнена (Мх). Все пациенты после удаления опухоли получали лечение по различным протоколам терапии: 12 пациентов (40,0%) - по протоколу
Еи-ЯИАБ, 11 (36,7%) - по протоколу ЫиУ-АТЯТ, у 7 (23,3%) больных выполняли индивидуальные схемы. ЛТ проведена 24 больным (80%) после ВДХТ с ауто-ТГСК. Интратекальное/интравентрикулярное введение химиопрепаратов получили большинство пациентов (п=22, 73,3%). Статус заболевания оценивался у всех пациентов до выполнения ВДХТ с ауто-ТГСК: полный ответ (ПО) был зарегистрирован у 12 пациентов (40%), стабилизация болезни (СБ) -у 10 (33,3%), частичный ответ (ЧО) - у 8 (26,7%). Большинству пациентов выполнена однократная ауто-ТГСК - 21 (70%), тандемная ауто-ТГСК - у 9 (30%) пациентов. Общее количество выполненных ауто-ТГСК у пациентов с АТРО ЦНС составило 39. В качестве источника трансплантата в 90% (п=27) были использованы СКПК, у 10% (п=3) больных использовали комбинацию СКПК+КМ. Результаты: 5-летняя БСВ и ОВ составили 44%, большинство рецидивов диагностировано в течение 24 месяцев после постановки диагноза. Эти результаты сопоставимы с большинством международных данных. Выживаемость пациентов с АТРО ЦНС, получивших ВДХТ с ауто-ТГСК, статистически достоверно выше была при выполнении тотальной резекции опухоли, проведении ЛТ и регионарной химиотерапии и достижении ПО к моменту проведения ТГСК.
Ключевые слова
Дети, младший возраст, атипичная тератоид-раб-доидная опухоль, центральная нервная система, химиотерапия, высокодозная, лучевая терапия, результаты лечения, выживаемость, прогностические факторы.
