Authors: Burzynski Stanislaw, Burzynski Gregory, Janicki Tomasz, Beenken Samuel.
Rationale: With an incidence of 0.8 per 100,000 people, pilocytic astrocytoma (PCA) is the most common childhood brain tumor. There is no standard therapy for recurrent PCA. The case of a six-year-old child with a recurrent PCA is presented here to detail/discuss the efficacy of ANP therapy (Antineoplaston A10 {Atengenal} and Antineoplaston AS2-1 {Astugenal}) in the treatment of recurrent PCA and to permit a review of the Phase II Protocol BT-13.
Objectives: This patient was treated at the Burzynski Clinic (BC), according to the Phase II Protocol, BT-13, which utilized IV ANP therapy in the treatment of patients with low-grade astrocytomas. ANP therapy was delivered via subclavian catheter and infusion pump. Tumor response was measured by sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain utilizing gadolinium enhancement.
Findings: At the age of 6 years, after gross total resection (GTR) of his PCA performed elsewhere, this male child presented to the BC with recurrent disease and some left-sided weakness. Baseline MRI of the brain performed on January 7, 1979, showed a left cerebellum hemisphere/pons enhancing lesion measuring 2.3 cm x 1.7 cm. On April 25, 1997, after 3 months of IV ANP therapy, the patient’s tumor showed a 53.5% decrease from baseline, indicating a partial response (PR). On December 5, 1997, no enhancing lesion was seen, indicating a complete response (CR). On December 6, 2002, the last follow-up MRI of the brain showed no residual tumor, indicating an enduring CR. The patient has had resolution of his left-sided weakness, has an OS of >27 years since the start of IV ANP therapy, and continues in excellent health.
Conclusions: The utilization of ANP therapy to facilitate a cure in a patient with recurrent PCA is presented. We conclude that ANP therapy is an attractive therapeutic option for children with recurrent PCA.
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