Non-resectable slow-growing meningiomas treated by hydroxyurea.
OBJECTIVE
To test the benefit of hydroxyurea in the treatment of recurrent and non-resectable slow-growing meningiomas.


METHODS
Twelve patients with regrowing non-malignant meningiomas, were enrolled for a protocol of 2 years with continuous chemotherapy with hydroxyurea, 20 mg/kg/day. Response to treatment was evaluated both clinically and by diagnostic imaging using computed tomography (CT) and 201-Thallium single photon emission CT. One minimal response was documented by CT, accompanied by clinical stabilization. Nine patients showed progressive disease, at least by one imaging procedure, with a median time to progression of 13 months (range 4-24). Two other patients were not available for response due to early removal from the study, following abrupt manifestation of grades 3-4 hematological toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
In this series hydroxyurea has not shown effectiveness in the treatment of non-resectable slow-growing meningiomas: neither for achieving response, nor for arresting disease progression.
Loven
David
D
Institute of Oncology, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. loven_da@clalit.org.il
Hardoff
Ruth
R
Sever
Zvi Bar
ZB
Steinmetz
Adam P
AP
Gornish
Michael
M
Rappaport
Zvi H
ZH
Fenig
Eyal
E
Ram
Zvi
Z
Sulkes
Aaron
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea