Single institution experience with high‐dose cyclophosphamide, continuous infusion vincristine, escalating doses of VP‐16‐213, and total body irradiation with unpurged bone marrow rescue in children with neuroblastoma

Seven consecutive autologous bone marrow transplants were performed in children with neuroblastoma with very good partial remission (VGPR). A combination of cyclophosphamide, escalating doses of VP‐16‐213, continuous infusion vincristine, and total body irradiation followed by infusion with unpurged bone marrow was used. The dose‐limiting toxicity in this regimen was mucositis which occurred when the total dose of VP‐16‐213 was 2,400 mg/m². The response rate to this regimen was 4/7 (‐CR 48+, 21+, 21+, 35+ mo) 3/7 had a CR/PR post transplant with progressive disease between 1 and 4 months later (mean 2.6 mo). We conclude that this regimen is well tolerated when the maximum dose of VP‐16‐213 does not exceed 1,800 mg/m². Further evaluation will be necessary with this regimen to determine its therapeutic value in a larger number of patients with neuroblastoma.