Neoplastic meningitis from breast carcinoma with complete response to liposomal cytarabine: case report

Neurol Sci. 2009 Jun;30(3):251-4. doi: 10.1007/s10072-009-0044-8. Epub 2009 Mar 4.

Abstract

Neoplastic meningitis from breast cancer often leads to a progressive neurologic deterioration followed by fatal outcome. The therapy is based on the administration of high dose systemic chemotherapy with drugs able to pass through the blood-brain barrier, such as methotrexate (MTX) and cytarabine, cranial or craniospinal irradiation, and intrathecal (IT) administration of MTX and/or cytarabine. However, these approaches only have modest efficacy and are associated with side effects for the patients. A depot formulation of liposomal cytarabine (DepoCyte) has proven to be useful in clinical trials. We describe the case of a woman with a diagnosis of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis from breast carcinoma who presented cerebrospinal fluid normalization and prolonged complete MRI response to intrathecal chemotherapy with liposomal cytarabine (DepoCyte).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma / secondary*
  • Cytarabine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Spinal
  • Liposomes
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis / drug therapy
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis / secondary*
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Liposomes
  • Cytarabine
  • Methotrexate