title: Hydroxyurea chemotherapy in the treatment of meningiomas.
abstract: Meningiomas are slow growing, extraaxial tumors that derive from the arachnoidal cap cells of the meninges. Resection remains the main modality of treatment and can be curative in some cases. External-beam radiotherapy and radiosurgery can benefit selected patients. The role of chemotherapy continues to be defined, but should be considered for patients with inoperable or frequently recurring meningiomas. Hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, is one of the most active agents and is known to induce apoptosis in meningioma cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Results of preliminary clinical studies suggest that hydroxyurea has modest activity against recurrent and inoperable meningiomas, and can induce long term stabilization in some patients. However, the results are conflicting and a few clinical trials did not show positive results. Further clinical trials with larger patient cohorts and longer follow-up periods will be necessary to confirm the activity of hydroxyurea.
authors.affiliation: Dardinger Neuro-Oncology Center and Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. newton.2@osu.edu
authors.forename: Herbert B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea