Phase II study of carboplatin (CBDCA) in progressive low-grade gliomas.

In this study, the authors sought to investigate the response rate and toxicity of carboplatin in patients with progressive low-grade glioma (LGG). Thirty-two patients with progressive LGG were treated with carboplatin at a dosage of 560 mg/m(2). Treatment was given at 4-week intervals and continued until the disease progressed, unacceptable toxicity supervened, or for 12 additional courses after achieving maximal response.

Immunologic and clinical responses to rituximab in a child with opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is an autoimmune disorder with serious neurodevelopmental morbidity and limited treatment options. We treated a toddler with moderately severe OMS with rituximab, a monoclonal anti-B cell antibody. The patient's clinical response was documented on videotape and scored with the OMS Evaluation Scale.

Evaluation of pre-radiotherapy cyclophosphamide in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. Writing Committee for The Brain Tumor Center at Duke.

Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that has shown activity in the treatment of pediatric brain tumors, including high-grade gliomas. This study was designed to evaluate the response of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme to pre-radiotherapy cyclophosphamide. Fourteen patients with glioblastoma multiforme were treated with high-dose cyclophosphamide (2 g/m2/day for 2 doses every 28 days) followed by either sargramostim or filgrastin.

Phase II evaluation of interferon-alpha-2a for progressive or recurrent craniopharyngiomas.

Object: Craniopharyngiomas originate from the same cells as squamous cell skin carcinoma, which can be treated successfully with interferon-alpha (IFNalpha)-2a. The authors evaluated the activity and toxicity of systemic IFN in young patients with craniopharyngiomas.

Methods: Fifteen patients between the ages of 4.

Gliomatosis cerebri: cytologic and autopsy findings in a case involving the entire neuraxis.

We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl who was clinically diagnosed as having a pontine glioma based on magnetic resonance imaging studies. Neoplastic cells were identified upon cytologic examination of cerebrospinal fluid. Autopsy studies revealed an anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade III) diffusely infiltrating the cerebral hemispheres, brain stem, cerebellum, leptomeninges, and spinal cord to the level of the conus medullaris.