HIGH-DOSE CHEMOTHERAPY WITH AUTOLOGOUS HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION IN RELAPSED CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS: CHALLENGES AND RESULTS

Intensification of antitumor treatment using high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) has been an effective option for many years in a number of nosological forms of central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children as the first-choice therapy. However, its benefits in relapsing forms of the disease are not obvious, which has led to ongoing discussions. Studies on the comparative efficacy of HDCT in recurrent CNS tumors are few. The heterogeneity of the studied patient cohorts should be noted additionally, which in its turn does not allow reaching a consensus on indications for its use. The Article represents current bibliographical data on the use of HDCT with aHSCT in pediatric patients with relapses of various nosological forms of CNS tumors in terms of its possible effectiveness and toxicity.