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The use of pharmacokinetically guided carboplatin chemotherapy in a pre‐term infant with neuroblastoma‐associated spinal cord compression
Author(s) -
Hawley Jessica,
Veal Gareth J.,
Errington Julie,
McDonald Leigh G.,
Tweddle Deborah A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.27825
Subject(s) - medicine , carboplatin , neuroblastoma , chemotherapy , blood cancer , dosing , spinal cord compression , pharmacokinetics , pediatric cancer , spinal cord , oncology , cisplatin , surgery , cancer , psychiatry , biology , genetics , cell culture
Neonatal neuroblastoma may require chemotherapy either due to mass effect or unfavourable cytogenetics. This case focuses on using pharmacokinetic (PK) guided chemotherapy to treat neonatal neuroblastoma. A newborn baby was noted to have left leg immobility. Imaging showed a retroperitoneal tumour with spinal canal extension causing spinal cord compression. PK‐guided carboplatin was given after conventionally dosed chemotherapy demonstrated no improvement. After initiation of PK therapy, clinical and radiological improvement was seen. We discuss our decision to use PK‐guided chemotherapy despite guidelines recommending weight‐based dosing and discuss the benefits in terms of clinical efficacy without increased toxicity.