Improving the outcome of patients with leptomeningeal cancer: new clinical trials and experimental therapies.

Abstract

Current therapy for leptomeningeal metastases is predominantly palliative. In an effort to improve disease control and patient outcome, new strategies are being developed to target the cerebrospinal space. These include new intrathecal formulations of systemic chemotherapy as well as the development of radiolabeled immunoconjugates and antitumor antibodies. Furthermore, there is debate as to the optimal strategy of drug delivery for leptomeningeal tumor.