[Effect of high-dose cyclophosphamide plus high-dose etoposide in malignant brain tumors of children followed by autologous bone marrow rescue].

Four pediatric patients with malignant brain tumors were treated with very high-dose etoposide plus very high-dose cyclophosphamide (HD-VP 16/CPM) followed by autologous bone marrow rescue. There were two brain stem gliomas, which were refractory to radiation therapy, ACNC, and beta-interferon and two relapsed malignant brain tumors. Both of the two with brain stem gliomas achieved response, one with clinical improvement and decrease of tumor size on CT scanning, the other with clinical improvement. Overall response duration was three months and nine months. Two patients with relapsed brain tumors received HD-VP 16/CPM as adjuvant chemotherapy. Low but significant levels of VP 16 and CPM were detected in CSF. Further investigation of HD-VP 16/CPM is needed as a chemotherapy for malignant brain tumors in children.