Long-Term Survival Over 21 Years and Pathologically Confirmed Complete Response in Pediatric Anaplastic Astrocytoma: A Case Report

Abstract

Pediatric anaplastic astrocytoma (PAA) is a rare, malignant, brain tumor with annual incidence in the USA of approximately 330 cases. Despite surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, curative treatment of these tumors is not yet available. The authors describe the case of a successful treatment of PAA patient who survived for over 20 years. A 14-year-old female with newly-diagnosed AA presented with a 4.8 x 2.1 cm tumor involving the left temporal lobe, crossing the midline and compressing the pons. In November 1993 the patient underwent a craniotomy and a biopsy of the tumor, but did not have radiation or chemotherapy. Approximately one month later, she presented to Burzynski Clinic (BC) and was admitted for treatment with antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 (ANP) based on protocol CAN-01. The treatment was given at the average dosage of 3.4 g/kg/d of A10 and 0.46 g/kg/d of AS2-1. Follow-up MRIs at 3, 8, 9, 14, and 19 months later did not show any significant changes; however, all symptoms, except seizures, disappeared by 13 months. MRI of the head at 32 months showed a complete response. Intravenous ANP continued until the 40th month and then the patient was taking maintenance treatment with A10 and AS2-1 capsules (0.14 g/kg/d each) until the 56th month. At that time she underwent resection of the scar tissue causing the seizures. The pathological examination did not demonstrate any presence of neoplastic process. The patient became asymptomatic and her follow-up MRIs between 6 and 15 years since the treatment start did not show tumor recurrence. She continues to live a normal life over 20 years later. This report indicates that it is possible to obtain long-term survival in PAA with a currently available investigational treatment.