title: Intraarterial 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) and systemic chemotherapy for malignant gliomas: a follow-up study.
abstract: Twenty-five adults who harbored malignant gliomas received 72 courses of intraarterial 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) (100 mg/m2) and 67 courses of systemic vincristine (1.0 mg/m2) and procarbazine (100 mg/m2) as induction therapy (BVP) followed by 106 courses of systemic 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (methyl-CCNU) (130 mg/m2), vincristine, and procarbazine as maintenance therapy (MVP). With a 6-week interval between each treatment, the median and range for the number of courses of BVP were 3 and 1 to 4 and those for MVP were 3 and 0 to 14, respectively. Fifteen patients (60%) responded to both BVP and MVP, and 10 (40%) did not. The overall median survival time was 12.7 months (range, 1.8 to 48.5+ months). Two of 3 patients who had recurrent gliomas responded and survived for 37+ to 45+ months. Seven of 10 who had nonirradiated glioblastomas responded and survived for 9 to 22 months. Four who had nonirradiated anaplastic astrocytomas all responded and survived for 38+ to 48.5+ months. Two who also received radiotherapy (1 glioblastoma and 1 primitive neuroectodermal tumor) benefited and survived for 16.9 and 28.5+ months. All who did not respond favorably died within 8 months. During the infusion of BCNU, complications included transient orbital and head pain, periorbital and scleral erythema in all patients, and a focal seizure in 1 (4%). During the 6-month induction periods, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 1 (4%), deep vein thrombosis occurred in 9 (36%), pulmonary emboli occurred in 8 (32%), upper respiratory infections occurred in 6 (24%), pneumonia occurred in 9 (36%), and herpes zoster occurred in 1 (4%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011379:Prognosis; D012673:Semustine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D012673:Semustine; D011344:Procarbazine; D014750:Vincristine; D002330:Carmustine