Old Protocols

Adapted Treatment Protocols

These adapted protocols were produced by the International Society for Pediatric Oncology for use in low-income and middle-income countries.  They were designed to accommodate the complexities of practicing in resource-limited settings without sacrificing patient outcomes.

ProtocolContentLinkFirst AuthorDate Published
Burkitt LymphomaAbstract
Treatment recommendations for endemic Burkitt lymphoma (BL) in settings with only minimum requirements for curative treatment (PODC setting 1) are described. The reported cure rate for endemic BL is usually <50%. Facilities within setting 1 differ. Three treat- ment schedules are proposed based on: (1) when accurate staging is not possible, (2) when staging is possible and for (3) relapses and
poor responders to primary therapy. A literature review and person- al experience were used to formulate the recommendations. Recorded 1-year event free survival was 48% for treatment 1, 61% for treatment 2, and 35% for the rescue treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:357–362.
Click to downloadPeter Hesseling, MD, PhD28 November 2012
Kaposi SarcomaAbstract
Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is common where HIV infection is endemic. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced the incidence in well-resourced settings but in some parts of the world access to ART is delayed. These recommendations are for use where only minimal requirements for treatment are available. Consensus was sought for the management of childhood HIV-associated KS in this setting. There are no randomised controlled studies of chemo- therapy for KS in children and these recommendations have drawn on consensus of a group of experts and published reports from studies in adults. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:538–542.
Click to downloadElizabeth Molyneux, FRCPCH19 December 2012
MedulloblastomaAbstract
Effective treatment of children with medulloblastoma requires a functioning multi-disciplinary team with adequate neurosurgical, neuroradiological, pathological, radiotherapy and chemotherapy facilities and personnel. In addition the treating centre should have the capacity to effectively screen and manage any tumour and treatment-associated complications. These requirements have made it difficult for many low and middle-income countries (LMIC) centres to offer curative treatment. This article provides management recommendations for children with standard-risk medulloblastoma (localised tumours in children over the age of 3–5 years) according to the level of facilities available. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:553– 564.
Click to downloadJeannette Parkes, MBBCh21 November 2014
NeuroblastomaAbstract
Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in childhood in high-income countries (HIC), where consistent treatment approaches based on clinical and tumor biological risk stratification have steadily improved outcomes. However, in low- and middle- income countries (LMIC), suboptimal diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment may occur due to limited resources and unavailable infrastructure. The clinical practice guidelines outlined in this manuscript are based on current published evidence and expert opinions. Standard risk stratification and treatment explicitly adapted to graduated resource settings can improve outcomes for children with neuroblastoma by reducing preventable toxic death and relapse. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1305–1316.
Click to downloadNehal S. Parikh, MD21 March 2015
Nutritional TherapyAbstract
The utilization of adapted regimens for the treatment of pediatric malignancies has greatly improved clinical outcomes for children receiving treatment in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Nutritional depletion has been associated with poorer outcomes, increased abandonment of therapy, and treatment-related toxici- ties. Surveys have found that nutritional intervention is not incorpo- rated routinely into supportive care regimens. Establishing nutritional programs based upon institutional resources may facilitate the in- corporation of nutritional therapy into clinical care in a way that is feasible in all settings. We present a framework for establishing and monitoring of nutritional care based on the infrastructure of institu- tions in LMIC. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2016;63:1339–1348.
Click to downloadElena J. Ladas, PhD, RD15 April 2016
RetinoblastomaAbstract
Retinoblastoma remains incurable in many regions of the world. The major obstacles to cure are delayed diagnosis, poor treatment compliance, and lack of evidence-based recommendations for clin- ical management. Although enucleation is curative for intraocular disease, in developing countries retinoblastoma is often diagnosed after the disease has disseminated beyond the eye. A SIOP-PODC committee generated guidelines for the clinical management of retinoblastoma in developing countries and developed a classifica- tion system based on the resources available in those settings. Recommendations are provided for staging and treatment of unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma and counseling of families for whom compliance is an issue. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:719–727.
Click to downloadGuillermo Chantada, MD17 January 2013
Supportive CareAbstract
These supportive care recommendations were prepared to guide doctors who practice in areas with significantly limited resources but who have sufficient infrastructure and training to treat children with cancer with curative intent. The success of any cancer treatment regimen depends largely on the availability and quality of supportive care and this also determines the intensity of treatment that can be delivered. We present practical recommendations on how to prevent infections, general nursing care, management of febrile neutropenia, nutritional assessment and support, treatment of co-infections and the social support to help prevent failure to complete treatment in resource poor settings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:899–904.
Click to downloadTrijn Israels, MD, PhD25 February 2013
Wilms TumorAbstract
Wilms tumour is a relatively common and curable paediatric tumour. Known challenges to cure in low income countries are late presentation with advanced disease, malnutrition, failure to com- plete treatment and limited facilities. In this article, management recommendations are given for a low income setting where only the minimal requirements for treatment with curative intent are avail- able (setting 1). These include general management, supportive care, social support and registration of patients. Recommendations specific for Wilms tumour care include diagnostic procedures with emphasis on the role of ultrasonography, preoperative chemotherapy with a reduced dosage for malnourished children and postoperative chemotherapy based on surgical staging. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:5–11.
Click to downloadTrijn Israels, MD, PhD26 September 2012
Framework for Developing
Adapted Protocols
Abstract
Many children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries are treated in hospitals lacking key infrastructure, including diagnostic capabilities, imaging modalities, treatment components, supportive care, and personnel. Childhood cancer treatment regimens adapted to local conditions provide an opportunity to cure as many children as possible with the available resources, while working to improve services and supportive care. This paper from the Adapted Treatment Regimens Working Group of the Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries committee of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology outlines the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of adapted regimens and specifies levels of services needed to deliver them.
Click to downloadScott Howard, MDDecember 2017

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