OBJECTIVES:

• Determine the efficacy of induction chemotherapy followed by surgical resection and consolidation chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in patients with metastatic neuroblastoma.
• Determine the tolerability and feasibility of this regimen in these patients.
• Determine the medium and long-term results in patients treated with this regimen.

OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study.

Patients receive induction chemotherapy comprising cyclophosphamide IV over 6 hours on days 1 and 2 and doxorubicin IV continuously and vincristine IV continuously over days 1-3 of courses 1, 2, 4, and 6. Patients receive cisplatin IV over 1 hour on days 1-4 and etoposide IV over 2 hours on days 1-3 of induction courses 3, 5, and 7. Patients also receive filgrastim (G-CSF) IV or subcutaneously once daily beginning on day 5 of courses 3, 5, and 7 and continuing until blood counts recover. Treatment repeats every 21 days.

At the completion of induction chemotherapy, patients undergo surgical resection. Patients in complete remission receive high-dose consolidation chemotherapy comprising oral busulfan every 6 hours on days -7 to -3 and melphalan IV over 2 minutes on day -2. Autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are reinfused on day 0. Patients with n-myc tumor amplification undergo radiotherapy at least 70 days after PBSC transplantation.

Patients are followed every 6 months.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 15-45 patients will be accrued for this study.