Pre-irradiation intensive induction and marrow-ablative consolidation chemotherapy in young children with newly diagnosed high-grade brainstem gliomas: report of the “head-start” I and II clinical trials

Background The dismal outcome in children with high-grade brainstem gliomas (BSG) accentuates the need for effective therapeutic strategies. We investigated the role of intensive, including marrow-ablative, chemotherapy regimens in the treatment of young children with newly-diagnosed high-grade BSG.