title: Effect of dalteparin and radiation on survival and thromboembolic events in glioblastoma multiforme: a phase II ECOG trial.
abstract: Laboratory and clinical studies support the concept that heparins, particularly the low molecular component, may serve as an inhibitor of angiogenesis, providing anti-neoplastic effects. Further, treatment with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) may provide prophylaxis for thromboembolic events (TEE), in glioblastoma (GBM) patients. Dalteparin (5,000 U sub-Q daily) was given with and after conventional radiotherapy to newly diagnosed GBM patients. Forty-five patients were accrued between 5/02 and 9/04; 3 were ineligible. At time of progression, patients could continue dalteparin in addition to standard regimens. Pretreatment characteristics included: median age 61 (range 26-78); ECOG Performance status: 0 = 38%, 1 = 57%, 2 = 5%; gross total resection 45%. There were no grade 3/4 bleeding or thrombocytopenic events, and no TEE occurred while on dalteparin. Median time on dalteparin was 6.3 months, median time to progression was 3.9 months; median survival was 11.9 months. There was no significant improvement in survival when compared to the RTOG GBM database (with various radiation/drug doublets including BCNU) using recursive partitioning analysis. Historically the incidence of TEE in GBM patients is approximately 30%. As this study suggests dalteparin reduces the incidence of TEE, and does not have significant overlapping toxicities with most other drugs; its testing in a combined modality approach with other medications may be warranted in future trials.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Cancer Center, CSC K4/5, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI, 53792-616, USA. hirobins@facstaff.wisc.edu
authors: H Ian
authors: HI
authors: Robins
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: O'Neill
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Gilbert
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Olsen
authors: Ronald
authors: R
authors: Sapiente
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Berkey
authors: Minesh
authors: M
authors: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D017985:Dalteparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D017985:Dalteparin