Efficacy and toxicity of postoperative temozolomide radiochemotherapy in malignant glioma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of daily temozolomide concurrent with postoperative radiotherapy in malignant glioma.


METHODS
From 11/1999 to 03/2003, n = 81 patients aged 15-72 years (median 52 years, Karnofsky score 80-100% in 83%) suffering from primary glioblastoma (n = 47), anaplastic astrocytoma (n = 6), anaplastic oligodendroglioma (n = 16), and recurrent glioma (n = 12) were treated. Patients with primary gliomas received a combination of postoperative radiotherapy (60 Gy/1.8- to 2.0-Gy fractions) and daily oral temozolomide (75 mg/m(2)) at all irradiation days (30-33 doses), while recurrent tumors were treated with 45-60 Gy and temozolomide. Initially, 6/81 patients had daily temozolomide doses of 50 mg/m(2).


RESULTS
In total, 70/81 patients (86%) completed both radio- and chemotherapy. Grade 1 nausea/vomiting was seen in 28%, grade 2 in 11%, grade 3 in 1%. Antiemetics were applied in 41%. Hematologic toxicities were observed as follows: leukopenia grade 3/4 1%, lymphopenia grade 3/4 46%, thrombopenia grade 3/4 1%. Two patients under dexamethasone suffered herpes encephalitis after one and 16 doses of temozolomide (75 mg/m(2)). Median survival was 15 months for glioblastoma. In oligodendroglioma patients, a 4-year survival rate of 78% was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative radiochemotherapy with 30-33 daily doses of temozolomide (75 mg/m(2)) is safe in patients with malignant glioma. The combined schedule is effective in oligodendroglioma patients and may prolong survival in glioblastoma. Effort should be taken to minimize corticosteroid doses, since both steroids and temozolomide lead to immunosuppression.
Kocher
Martin
M
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany. martin.kocher@medizin.uni-koeln.de
Kunze
Sabine
S
Eich
Hans-Theodor
HT
Semrau
Robert
R
Müller
Rolf-Peter
RP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000077204:Temozolomide
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide