131-I-Metaiodobenzylguanidine Treatment of Malignant Pheochromocytoma

Child Health And Human Development

Investigators

Abstract

Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors that develop from cells in the adrenal medulla or sympathetic ganglion. Most of these tumors are benign but 10 to 30% are malignant with life expectancy ranging 3 to 5 years. Other than surgery for local disease, there is no known curative treatment for malignant pheochromocytoma. Current therapies for widespread metastatic disease include chemotherapy, chemoembolization, octreotide, and 131I-MIBG. In general these treatments are palliative but very few patients have had complete responses[unreadable] [unreadable] This project tests the efficacy of radiotoxic treatment of malignant pheochromocytoma using 131I-MIBG, and in particular tests whether pre-treatment using specific drugs (so called sentitizers) increases the efficacy of 131I-MIBG treatment. Recently, the protocol has been on hold to find a laboratory that will supply us with 131I-MIBG.