The Role of Chemotherapy in Pediatric Myoepithelial Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Pediatr Blood CancerJul 25, 2026 (epub)
Marco Salvi, Maria Carmen Affinita, Giulia Fichera et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review evaluated the role of chemotherapy in pediatric myoepithelial carcinoma (MEC) across 21 studies involving 40 patients. The analysis revealed that among 19 evaluable patients, 57.9% had partial responses, while no complete responses were observed. The findings suggest limited efficacy of chemotherapy, emphasizing the need for a multimodal treatment approach.
Key findings
- 57.9% of evaluable patients showed partial responses to chemotherapy.
- No complete responses were observed with chemotherapy alone.
- 35% of patients were alive with no evidence of disease at a median follow-up of 21 months.
- Patients with EWSR1 rearrangements had relatively favorable outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the limited efficacy of chemotherapy in pediatric MEC is crucial for clinicians, as it underscores the importance of a multimodal treatment approach and the need for standardized management guidelines to improve patient outcomes.