Inoperable Optic Pathway Glioma: A Seven-Year-Old Male with >35 Years Overall Survival Following Treatment with Antineoplastons

Abstract

Optic pathway glioma (OPG) is a low-grade tumor developing along the pre-cortical optic pathways and can involve the optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tracts, and hypothalamus. Objective: A male child with newly diagnosed and unresectable OPG is presented to 1) review the earliest use of Antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 for the treatment of brain tumors and 2) demonstrate the efficacy of Antineoplastons in the treatment of OPG. On April 18, 1988, a seven-year-old male child presented to the Burzynski Clinic (BC) with headaches. Based on prior, non-enhanced MRIs and biopsy, an unresectable suprasellar OPG was diagnosed. Antineoplaston therapy was started on a “proof of principle” basis. Tumor response was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the brain. Results: A brain MRI, performed on May 31, 1989, demonstrated an enhancing suprasellar nodule measuring 4.37 cm2. On August 24, 1990, brain MRI demonstrated a 0.96 cm2 enhancing nodule, indicating the achievement of a partial response (PR). Following higher dose intravenous (IV) and oral Antineoplastons, brain MRI performed on January 24, 1997, demonstrated a residual 0.4 cm2 enhancing nodule, indicating an enduring PR. All Antineoplaston therapy was discontinued on August 21, 2000. At last follow-up, > 35 years since the start of Antineoplaston therapy, the patient was healthy and showed no evidence of tumor progression. “Proof of principle” Antineoplaston therapy utilized in a seven-year-old male with unresectable OPG produced an objective response (OR) and prolonged overall survival. Antineoplaston therapy is an attractive therapeutic option for children with OPG.