Carboplatin and teniposide concurrent with radiotherapy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme: a phase II study.
BACKGROUND
The outcome after treatment for glioblastoma remains poor. Therefore, the authors evaluated the long term efficacy and toxicity of treatment with radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin plus teniposide followed by three cycles of carmustine in patients who underwent resection for glioblastoma.


METHODS
Fifty-six newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma underwent radiotherapy (1.8-2 gray [Gy]/day, 5 days a week using limited fields up to 60 Gy), and concurrent chemotherapy with carboplatin (350 mg/m2) on Days 1, 22, and 43, and teniposide (50 mg/m2) on Days 1, 2, 3, 22, 23, 24, 43, 44, and 45. Four weeks after the end of radiotherapy, patients were given carmustine (200 mg/m2) every 8 weeks for 3 cycles. Treatment then was suspended, but if disease progression was found, treatment was resumed using different drugs.


RESULTS
All 56 patients were evaluated for time to progression (TTP) and median survival time (MST). The TTP was 7.5 months and the MST was 12.5 months. Toxicity manifested as thrombocytopenia and in most cases was acceptable. Four patients (7.1%) had radiation necrosis at 2, 2, 7, and 9 months, respectively, from the end of radiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results obtained in the current study with concurrent radiochemotherapy in patients with glioblastoma are comparable to the best results reported using radiotherapy alone followed by chemotherapy with nitrosoureas.
Brandes
A A
AA
Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera, Padova, Italy.
Rigon
A
A
Zampieri
P
P
Ermani
M
M
Carollo
C
C
Altavilla
G
G
Turazzi
S
S
Chierichetti
F
F
Florentino
M V
MV
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009336:Necrosis; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D013713:Teniposide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D013713:Teniposide; D016190:Carboplatin; D002330:Carmustine