Treatment Information

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Brain – Glioblastoma Multiforme treatment details. Chemotherapy, Biologic therapy.

Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Durham, NC
Treatments:Chemotherapy, Biologic therapyHospital:Duke University Medical Center
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Mar 2009

Description:

Patients:
This phase 2 trial involved 66 patients, 44 of whom were male. Of these, 34 patients had glioblastoma multiforme, 28 had anaplastic astrocytoma, and 4 had anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Tumors in all patients were resistant to temozolomide. The median age of these patients was 51, with a range of 21-69.

Treatment:
Patients were given a chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide, which blocks DNA replication and growth of cancer cells. In addition, a biologic agent called O6-benzylguanine was administered. This drug blocks a DNA repair protein in cells that might be involved in temozolomide resistance.

Toxicity:
Grade 4 toxicities, most commonly neutropenia, but also thrombocytopenia, were observed in 48% of patients. One patient died of gastrointestinal perforation, which is reported to be likely due to a pre-existing condition.

Results:
The median overall survival for all patients in this study was 5.9 months, 4.6 months for patients with GBM, and 7.8 months for patients with anaplastic glioma. The progression-free survival rate at 6 months was 17% overall, 9% for those with GBM, and 25% for anaplastic glioma.

Correspondence: Dr. Henry Friedman; e-mail: [email protected]



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