Carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction in pediatric patients with low‐grade glioma

Abstract

Carboplatin-based regimens have demonstrated activity in pediatric patients with low-grade glioma (LGG). However, carboplatin hypersensitivity reaction (Cb HSR) represents a common and limiting factor for the continuation of therapy. The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and management of Cb HSR and to detail their impact on outcome. The authors conducted a comprehensive, national, retrospective review of children who were diagnosed with LGG between 1985 and 2004 and received treatment with carboplatin. One hundred five patients from 10 Canadian centers were included. The median patient age at diagnosis was 3.5 years (range, 0.3-16.8 years), and 33 patients (31.4%) had neurofibromatosis type 1. Carboplatin was administered monthly in 46 children and weekly in 59 children. Forty-four patients (41.9%) developed Cb HSR after a median of 10.5 infusions (range, 3-39 infusions). Cb HSR occurred significantly earlier among children on the weekly schedule (4.4 months vs 9.1 months; P = .02). The first allergic reaction was grade I or II in 36 patients (82%). The cumulative incidence of Cb HSR increased with the number of infusions, and there was no evidence of a plateau. The only predictive factor was being a girl rather than a boy (P = .02). Thirty-four of 44 patients with Cb HSR were re-exposed to carboplatin, and 24 of 34 patients (70.5%) had recurrent Cb HSR. A desensitization approach did not provide any advantage compared with premedication alone for altering Cb HSR. The median number of additional Cb infusions delivered was 4 (range, 0.5-34 infusions). The effect of Cb HSR on the 5-year progression-free survival rate was not statistically significant (P = .1). Forty-two percent of children with LGG who received carboplatin regimens experienced Cb HSR. Most rechallenged children had recurrent Cb HSR despite Cb HSR-altering regimens. Cb HSR did not have an impact on progression-free survival.