Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Bridging Chemotherapy

Bridging chemotherapy is a neoadjuvant treatment strategy that uses chemotherapy prior to definitive surgery or other primary therapy to reduce tumor burden and improve surgical outcomes in pediatric cancer patients.

Bridging chemotherapy is a neoadjuvant treatment strategy that uses chemotherapy prior to definitive surgery or other primary therapy to reduce tumor burden and improve surgical outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. Used for Pediatric solid tumors requiring neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery, High-risk pediatric cancers where tumor debulking is clinically indicated.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Bridging chemotherapy is administered before the main curative treatment (typically surgery) to shrink tumors, making them more resectable and potentially improving overall survival. This approach is particularly used in pediatric oncology to allow time for tumor response assessment and to reduce the extent of surgical intervention needed. The specific chemotherapy agents and regimens vary by cancer type and institutional protocols.

Approved indications

• Pediatric solid tumors requiring neoadjuvant treatment prior to surgery
• High-risk pediatric cancers where tumor debulking is clinically indicated

Common side effects

• Myelosuppression
• Nausea and vomiting
• Infection risk
• Mucositis
• Alopecia

Key clinical trials

• Phase III Study of Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy With Venetoclax in Patients With Newly Diagnosed AML or MDS-EB-2 (PHASE3)
• A Phase III Trial Comparing Tisagenlecleucel to Standard of Care (SoC) in Adult Participants With r/r Follicular Lymphoma (PHASE3)
• Tisagenlecleucel in Adult Patients With Aggressive B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (PHASE3)
• SUPRAME-ACTengine® IMA203 vs. Investigator's Choice of Treatment in Previously Treated, Unresectable or Metastatic Cutaneous Melanoma (PHASE3)
• A Study of JNJ-75229414 for Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Participants (PHASE1)
• A Phase I/II Study to Evaluate AZD5851 in GPC3+ Advanced/Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Study Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of JCAR017 in Subjects With Relapsed or Refractory Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) or Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) (PHASE1, PHASE2)
• Efficacy and Safety of Olverembatinib Plus Inotuzumab Ozogamicin as First-Line Consolidation Therapy Followed by HSCT in Ph+ ALL (PHASE2)

Primary sources

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