Long term survival in diffuse infiltrative brainstem gliomas in children and adolescents treated with radiatherapy and Nimotuzumab

Background Brainstem gliomas have a short survival time chemotherapy has not improved outcome We report the result obtained with the combination of Radiotherapy and the monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab in a series of these tumors Material and methods children and adolescents treated with irradiation and Nimotuzumab were included between Jan and December all with the diagnosis of diffuse infiltrative pontine gliomas DIPG irradiated at the Instituto Nacional de Oncologia y Radiobiologia in Havana Cuba Nimotuzumab was applied during the period receiving Radiotherapy and them monthly for one year or more Results Median age at diagnosis was years range years old median survival was months and Kaplan Meier survival was at years and at years established till years Addition of Nimotuzumab was safe and well tolerated Conclusion Combination of Nimotuzumab and Radiotherapy is safe and could increase survival