title: Clinical trial of intravenous infusion of bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) for radiosensitization of malignant brain tumors.
abstract: Bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) is a radiosensitizer that can be incorporated into cellular DNA as a substitute for thymidine at the time of DNA synthesis. As the steady-state arterial concentration of BUdR given by means of intravenous infusion was recently presented, the possibility of revival of BUdR as a radiosensitizer administered by the intravenous route was suggested. Based on the experience of BAR therapy and phase-I studies by NIH and UCSF, 12 hours of BUdR at a dose of 800-1,000 mg/m2 for five days a week was given to 23 patients with primary and secondary malignant brain tumors during radiation therapy. Radiation therapy was planned at a weekly dose of 10 Gy for five to six weeks. Fifteen patients received 1,000 mg/m2 of BUdR; six of them tolerated more than three weeks of treatment. In eight patients given doses of 800 mg/m2, five patients tolerated more than three weeks. The most remarkable toxic effects were myelosuppression and stomatitis, which were major obstacles to maintaining the schedule. More than 50% reduction of tumor volume was obtained in five of 12 cases of evaluated gliomas (42%) and three of four cases of metastatic tumors (75%). The median time to tumor progression in seven patients with glioblastoma was 37 weeks.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012074:Remission Induction; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine