Acute toxicities of I-131 MIBG therapy in patients with refractory neuroblastoma

Full text of publication follows. Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicities of I-131 MIBG therapy in patients with refractory neuroblastoma. Methods: this study included 40 patients who underwent I-131 MIBG therapy for refractory neuroblastoma between February 2002 and January 2012. The patients comprised 19 males and 21 females, and the age range at I-131 MIBG therapy was 2 to 27 years (mean = 8.9 years). Therapeutic doses of I-131 MIBG were 1.7 to 18 mCi/kg (mean = 10.5 mCi/kg). We investigated the acute toxicities of I-131 MIBG therapy within a week after I-131 MIBG administration. Toxicities were graded by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0. Results: Nausea, vomiting and sialadenitis were seen within a week after I-131 MIBG therapy. Grade 1 and 2 nausea, vomiting and sialadenitis were seen in 33% (13/40), 10% (4/40) and 23% (9/40). Only one patient (2.5%) had grade 3 nausea. In patients who were administrated more than 12 mCi/kg I-131 MIBG (n=20), nausea, vomiting and sialadenitis were seen in 50% (10/20), 15% (3/20) and 35% (7/20). In patients who were administrated less than 12 mCi/kg I-131 MIBG (n=20), nausea, vomiting and sialadenitis were seen in 20% (4/20), 5% (1/20) and 10% (2/20). Conclusions: Although the frequency of acute toxicities of I-131 MIBG therapy increases with the increased doses of I-131 MIBG, severe acute toxicities of I-131 MIBG therapy are rare. (authors)