Phase II study of tauromustine in malignant glioma.
46 eligible patients with either anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) or glioblastoma (GBM) and clinical and computed-tomography-confirmed relapse following primary surgery and radiotherapy received oral tauromustine 130 mg/m2 every 5 weeks. A prospective design allowed for concurrent assessment of both clinical and radiological responses and drug toxicity. 41% of patients improved clinically whilst 46% improved radiologically with 3 complete, 7 partial and 7 minimal responses (WHO criteria). Toxicity included grade III or IV gastrointestinal side-effects (15%), grade III or IV leukopenia (24%) and grade III and IV thrombocytopenia (44%). In 9 clinically responding patients, haematological toxicity led to discontinuation of treatment. All patients were followed-up until death and second-line chemotherapy was not used. Median post-treatment survival was 26 weeks for patients with GBM and 57 weeks for patients with AA. Overall 2-year survival rate was 69% for AA and 23% for GBM. Tauromustine given at the time of relapse has demonstrable antitumour activity in patients not previously treated with chemotherapy.
Gregor
A
A
Department of Clinical Oncology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh.
Rampling
R
R
Aapro
M
M
Malmström
P
P
Whittle
I R
IR
Rye
R
R
Stewart
M
M
Sellar
R
R
Demierre
B
B
Ironside
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013654:Taurine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D013654:Taurine; C052991:1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(2-(dimethylaminosulfonyl)ethyl)-1-nitrosourea