title: High-dose BCNU and autologous progenitor cell transplantation given with intra-arterial cisplatinum and simultaneous radiotherapy in the treatment of high-grade gliomas: benefit for selected patients.
abstract: A phase II study of postoperative high-dose carmustine (HDBCNU), intracarotid cisplatin (CDDP), and radical radiotherapy in patients with high-grade glioma was performed. Patients underwent 4-6 consecutive days of blood hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) apheresis without prior mobilization. Chemotherapy included intracarotid CDDP, 60 mg/m2, and BCNU, 900 mg/m2. HPC were infused 48 h after HDBCNU. Whole brain irradiation, up to 50 Gy, was started on the 8th day after HPC infusion. With a median follow-up time of 44 months, median overall survival was 15.5 months. Eight patients (23.5%) are alive free of disease 2-6 years after treatment (seven out of 25 patients with glioblastoma multiforme and one out of nine patients with anaplastic astrocytoma). Survival was influenced by young age, good performance and complete surgical resection. Two patients (5.8%) died of therapy-related complications. Acute hematological toxicity of HDBCNU was moderate, with a full recovery on day 26. No acute pulmonary or hepatic toxicity was found. Late severe neurological toxicity was observed in one third of patients surviving beyond 2 years. We conclude that HDBCNU, 900 mg/m2, intracarotid CDDP and radical radiotherapy appear to benefit some patients with high-grade gliomas, and phase III studies should preferentially select young patients with resectable tumors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Fernández-Hidalgo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vanaclocha
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vieitez
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Aristu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rebollo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gúrpide
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Aramendía
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moreno-Palanques
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martín-Algarra
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Subirá
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brugarolas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D015993:Life Tables; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002945:Cisplatin; D002330:Carmustine