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

Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center , Durham, North Carolina, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Durham, North Carolina
Treatments:Chemotherapy, Radiation, Biologic therapy, SurgeryHospital:Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Mar 2002

Description:

Patients: This Phase II study involved 33 newly diagnosed glioma patients comprised of 27 glioblastoma multiform patients, 4 anaplastic astrocytoma patients, and 2 anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients.

Treatment: Treatment consisted of surgery, 131I-labeled antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 administered into surgically created resection cavities (in the brain), followed by external beam radiotherapy and alkylator-based chemotherapy. The 131I-labeled (radioiodinated) antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 was grown in athymic mice.

Toxicity: Toxicities were primarily hematologic and neurologic. Nine patients (27%) developed grade 4 hematologic toxicity before initiation of systemic chemotherapy. Five patients had thrombocytopenia and grade 4 neutropenia. Three patients developed neurologic toxicity (equal to or greater than grade 3). Five patients developed irreversible (over 6 months) neurologic toxicity. Specific neurological defecits (grade 3 and above) affected motor, sensory, and speech functions. New onset, controllable seizures developed in four patients after the 131I-labeled antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 therapy. Other toxicities occurred during the chemotherapy phase of the treatment and included: thrombosis, infection, diarrhea, pulmonary toxicity (grade 4), and hepatic toxicity (grade 4). Two patients died of infection while receiving systemic chemotherapy.

Results: Median survival for the glioblastoma patients (measured from the date of initial treatment) was 79.4 weeks (18.5 months).

Correspondence: David A. Reardon, MD



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