Pre-irradiation 9-amino [20s] camptothecin (9-AC) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of 9-amino [20s] camptothecin (9-AC) given before radiation therapy to patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).


METHODS
Eligible patients had newly diagnosed GBM who had residual measurable contrast-enhancing tumor. The trial was a phase 2 trial of 9-AC at 1100 microg/m2 /24 h infused over 72 h every two weeks for up to six cycles in patients with newly diagnosed GBM before radiation therapy.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients entered the study and all were evaluable. All of the patients had progressive disease by imaging criteria after at least two cycles of 9-AC (1 month). The median overall survival was 7.5 months (range 1.5-18 months). The most common adverse event was transient lymphopenia (grade 3-4). One patient developed grade 4 neutropenic fever that resolved after three days of diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
9-AC lacks activity against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Further studies looking at the efficacy of 9-AC in GBM may be futile.
Farray
Daniel
D
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
Ahluwalia
Manmeet S
MS
Snyder
Josette
J
Barnett
Gene H
GH
Cohen
Bruce H
BH
Suh
John H
JH
Peereboom
David M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C080125:9-aminocamptothecin; D002166:Camptothecin