High-dose 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)-methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitro sou rea hydrochloride (ACNU) with autologous bone marrow rescue for patients with brain stem tumors.

4 patients with brain stem tumors were treated with high-dose ACNU with autologous bone marrow rescue. Hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were not profound. There was objective evidence of response in 2 out of the 4. All were alive for 11-21 months from onset. Safe administration of high-dose ACNU with marrow rescue will warrant further control studies to determine its superiority over conventional doses.