Metronomic therapy for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in neurofibromatosis type 1

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a highly aggressive tumor especially in the patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Without a complete surgical excision, prognosis is guarded. We describe a 10-year-old male with NF1 with MPNST, who had a local relapse within 5 weeks of surgical excision. Chemoradiotherapy did not result in tumor regression. Initiation of palliative oral metronomic therapy resulted in complete remission after six cycles. The patient continues to be in remission, 20 months after completion of nine cycles of metronomic therapy. Metronomic therapy may be effective in MPNST where conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy fails. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 13171319. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.