Outcome of young children with high‐grade glioma treated with irradiation‐avoiding intensive chemotherapy regimens: Final report of the Head Start II and III trials

Abstract

Purpose To report the final analysis of survival outcomes for children with newly diagnosed high‐grade glioma (HGG) treated on the “Head Start” (HS) II and III protocols with chemotherapy and intent to avoid irradiation in children 6 years old or at the time of tumor progression. Results The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for all HGG patients were 25 ± 8% and 36 ± 9%, respectively. The EFS at 5 years for patients with AA and GBM were 24 ± 11% and 30 ± 16%, respectively (P = 0.65). The OS at 5 years for patients with AA and GBM was 34 ± 12% and 35 ± 16%, respectively (P = 0.83). Children 72 months old (0% and 13 ± 12%). Conclusions Irradiation‐avoiding treatment strategies should be evaluated further in young children with HGG given similar survival rates to older children receiving standard irradiation‐containing therapies.