Carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction in pediatric patients with low-grade glioma: a Canadian Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium experience

Cancer. 2008 Feb 15;112(4):892-9. doi: 10.1002/cncr.23249.

Abstract

Background: Carboplatin-based regimens have demonstrated activity in pediatric patients with low-grade glioma (LGG). However, carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction (Cb HSR) represents a common and limiting factor for the continuation of therapy.

Methods: The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and management of Cb HSR and to detail their impact on outcome. The authors conducted a comprehensive, national, retrospective review of children who were diagnosed with LGG between 1985 and 2004 and received treatment with carboplatin.

Results: One hundred five patients from 10 Canadian centers were included. The median patient age at diagnosis was 3.5 years (range, 0.3-16.8 years), and 33 patients (31.4%) had neurofibromatosis type 1. Carboplatin was administered monthly in 46 children and weekly in 59 children. Forty-four patients (41.9%) developed Cb HSR after a median of 10.5 infusions (range, 3-39 infusions). Cb HSR occurred significantly earlier among children on the weekly schedule (4.4 months vs 9.1 months; P = .02). The first allergic reaction was grade I or II in 36 patients (82%). The cumulative incidence of Cb HSR increased with the number of infusions, and there was no evidence of a plateau. The only predictive factor was being a girl rather than a boy (P = .02). Thirty-four of 44 patients with Cb HSR were re-exposed to carboplatin, and 24 of 34 patients (70.5%) had recurrent Cb HSR. A desensitization approach did not provide any advantage compared with premedication alone for altering Cb HSR. The median number of additional Cb infusions delivered was 4 (range, 0.5-34 infusions). The effect of Cb HSR on the 5-year progression-free survival rate was not statistically significant (P = .1).

Conclusions: Forty-two percent of children with LGG who received carboplatin regimens experienced Cb HSR. Most rechallenged children had recurrent Cb HSR despite Cb HSR-altering regimens. Cb HSR did not have an impact on progression-free survival.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Canada
  • Carboplatin / administration & dosage
  • Carboplatin / adverse effects
  • Carboplatin / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology
  • Exanthema / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carboplatin