title: Long-term use of temozolomide: could you use temozolomide safely for life in gliomas?
abstract: Temozolomide (TMZ) is an alkylating agent used in the management of gliomas. Although TMZ is generally safe and acute toxicity is well documented, there are limited data on long-term toxicities. We present three patients with glioma; all patients started on TMZ after having progressed following primary treatment. These patients have continued TMZ for 5 years, 7 years and 8 years respectively. So far they have had no serious side effects. We discuss these patients while raising the question of prolonged TMZ use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Pacific Highway, St Leonards, New South Wales 2065, Australia. mkhasraw@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khasraw
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000077204:Temozolomide; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide