Preradiation chemotherapy with VM-26 and CCNU in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined chemoradiation in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme. The main end points were time to progression and overall survival.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with glioblastoma multiforme underwent surgery whenever possible and then received intravenous VM26 (120 mg/m2) and oral CCNU (120 mg/m2) for three cycles followed by radiotherapy (60 Gy).


RESULTS
Surgery consisted of a complete resection in 39% of patients, partial resection in 35% and a biopsy in 26%. Sixteen patients had clinical or radiological evidence of progression during or after chemotherapy. Hematologic toxicity was mild. Forty-five percent of patients received the scheduled dose of radiation. The outcome was disappointing, with a median time to progression of 18 weeks and median survival of 37.17 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
The survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme remains disappointing. Multimodal therapy does not seem to modify the evolution of the tumor. Stratification according to prognostic factors might detect a potential benefit of other therapeutic approaches.
Mañé
Joan M
JM
Medical Oncology, Hospital de Cruces, Osakidetza/Servicio Vasco de Salud, Barakaldo (Bizkaia), Spain. jmmane@hcru.osakidetza.net
Fernández
Ricardo
R
Muñoz
Alberto
A
Rubio
Itziar
I
Ferreiro
Josefa
J
López-Argumedo
Gonzalo
G
Barceló
Ramón
R
López-Vivanco
Guillermo
G
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008130:Lomustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013713:Teniposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D008130:Lomustine; D013713:Teniposide