Temozolomide in the treatment of recurrent malignant glioma in Chinese patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the anti-tumour efficacy and safety profile of temozolomide in local Chinese patients with recurrent malignant glioma. DESIGN. Open-label trial.


METHODS
University teaching hospital, Hong Kong.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients had been enrolled in the study since 2001. Patients had to show unequivocal evidence of tumour recurrence or progression on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging after failing conventional radiotherapy and surgery for initial disease. Histology reviewed by a neuropathologist was required to show anaplastic glioma (anaplastic astrocytoma, anaplastic oligodendroglioma, or mixed anaplastic oligoastrocytoma) or glioblastoma multiforme.


METHODS
Patients were treated with temozolomide (200 mg/m(2) per day for the first 5 days of a 28-day cycle for four cycles) and monitored clinically every month and radiologically (gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging) at 6 months.


METHODS
Six-month progression-free survival and objective response rate.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients with recurrent malignant glioma were recruited between January 2001 and July 2004. Progression-free survival at 6 months was 54.5%. The mean progression-free survival for all patients was 7.2 months. The objective response rate, determined by gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging, was 9% for patients demonstrating a complete or partial response and a further 45% for patients demonstrating stable disease. Temozolomide was well tolerated orally with minimal adverse events. CONCLUSION. Preliminary results showed that temozolomide had an acceptable safety profile and anti-tumour activity in recurrent malignant glioma in local Chinese population. The results were comparable with those of western studies.
Chan
D T M
DT
Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Poon
W S
WS
Chan
Y L
YL
Ng
H K
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate; D000077204:Temozolomide
D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide