A new approach for leptomeningeal metastases: chemotherapy administered through lumbar intrathecal port

ABSTRACT

Background: Intrathecal chemotherapy is a local therapeutic modality used for treatment of leptomeningeal metastases. However, the techniques currently used, i.e. repeated lumbar puncture and Ommaya reservoir, have certain disadvantages. Lumbar intrathecal port (LIP) placement is a relatively novel technique, which has been used for pain management in cancer patients. Objective: To investigate the use of LIP for intrathecal administration of chemotherapeutic agents in patients with leptomeningeal metastases. Methods: Retrospective study of 13 patients treated with intrathecal chemotherapy for secondary leptomeningeal involvement of a primary solid tumor were included in this retrospective study. The patients received intrathecal chemotherapy through a LIP. Results: The patients received a total of 123 intrathecal chemotherapy doses. No grade 3-4 toxicity, technical problem or severe complication developed. During a median of 136 days of follow-up (range, 67-376 days), 12 patients died (92.3%). The treatment resulted in symptom improvement in all patients and self-rated overall health and quality of life improved, compared with baseline. Conclusions: The LIP system, which has been used for intrathecal pain management for decades, appears to offer a safe alternative for intrathecal chemotherapy in patients with leptomeningeal metastases. Further studies are warranted to clarify its potential use in this setting.

RESUMEN

Antecedentes: La quimioterapia intratecal es una modalidad terapéutica local utilizada para el tratamiento de metástasis leptomeníngeas. Sin embargo, las técnicas empleadas actualmente, es decir, las punciones lumbares repetidas y el depósito de Ommaya, tienen algunos inconvenientes. La colocación de un puerto intratecal lumbar (LIP) es una técnica relativamente nueva que se ha utilizado para el tratamiento del dolor en pacientes con cáncer. Objetivo: Investigar el uso de LIP para la administración intratecal de agentes quimioterapéuticos en pacientes con metástasis leptomeníngeas. Métodos: Este estudio retrospectivo incluyó un total de 13 pacientes tratados con quimioterapia intratecal por afectación leptomeníngea secundaria de un tumor sólido primario. Los pacientes recibieron quimioterapia intratecal a través de un LIP. Resultados: Los pacientes recibieron un total de 123 dosis de quimioterapia intratecal. No se desarrolló toxicidad de grado 3-4, ni se presentaron problemas técnicos o complicaciones graves. Durante un promedio de 136 días de seguimiento (rango, 67-376 días), murieron 12 pacientes (92,3 %). El tratamiento dio como resultado una mejoría de los síntomas en todos los pacientes. La salud general autoevaluada y la calidad de vida mejoraron en comparación con los valores iniciales. Conclusiones: El sistema LIP que se ha utilizado para el manejo del dolor intratecal durante décadas, parece ofrecer una alternativa segura para la quimioterapia intratecal en pacientes con metástasis leptomeníngeas. Serán necesarios más estudios para determinar su uso potencial en este ámbito.

Keywords:

Neoplasm Metastasis - Meningeal Carcinomatosis - Injections, Spinal - Drug Therapy - Spinal Puncture

Palabras clave:

Metástasis de la Neoplasia - Carcinomatosis Meníngea - Inyecciones Espinales - Quimioterapia - Punción Espinal

Authors’ contributions:

SC: drafted and developed the manuscript; SS: critically reviewed and revised it. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript and contributed to the study conception and design, material preparation, data collection and analysis.

Publication History

Received: 27 November 2020

Accepted: 28 February 2021

Article published online:
01 June 2023

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