Temozolomide as second-line chemotherapy for relapsed gliomas.
BACKGROUND
Temozolomide, an imidazotetrazine prodrug has shown activity in phase II studies in patients with high-grade glioma at first recurrence. We assessed the efficacy of temozolomide as second-line therapy following failure of PCV chemotherapy in patients with recurrent/progressive gliomas.


METHODS
Between September 1994 and November 2000, 32 patients with high-grade gliomas at second recurrence/progression received temozolomide as salvage therapy and results were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Of 32 assessable patients 7 had clinical improvement; there were no imaging responses. Median survival of the cohort was 4 months, with 28% alive at 6 months. Age, performance status, histology and previous response to PCV chemotherapy did not predict for clinical response to temozolomide.


CONCLUSIONS
In the small cohort of patients with recurrent malignant glioma who failed PCV chemotherapy temozolomide demonstrated limited activity as second-line treatment although this remains within the confidence intervals of response seen in patients with glioblastoma.
Neuro-Oncology Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Trust, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
S
S
Trent
A
A
Kong
S C
SC
Short
D
D
Traish
S
S
Ashley
A
A
Dowe
F
F
Hines
M
M
Brada
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077204:Temozolomide; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide