title: An overview of fotemustine in high-grade gliomas: from single agent to association with bevacizumab.
abstract: Fotemustine is a third-generation nitrosourea showing efficacy in various types of tumors such as melanoma and glioma. We reviewed the most important studies on fotemustine treatment in glioma patients analyzing its pharmacological profile and its activity and safety. Fotemustine was used as single agent or in association with new targeted drugs such as bevacizumab; fotemustine was used both as first-line chemotherapy before temozolomide era and in refractory-temozolomide patients during temozolomide era. Finally, analyzing and comparing the activity and safety of fotemustine alone or in combination with bevacizumab versus other nitrosoureas such as lomustine, we may suggest that the combination treatment with bevacizumab and fotemustine may be active and tolerable in patients with high grade gliomas.
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology 1 Unit, Venetian Oncology Institute-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology 1 Unit, Venetian Oncology Institute-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Department, Padua Hospital, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Della Puppa
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Diagnostic Medical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cecchin
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology 1 Unit, Venetian Oncology Institute-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Ardi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pambuku
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology 1 Unit, Venetian Oncology Institute-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellu
authors.affiliation: Medical Oncology 1 Unit, Venetian Oncology Institute-IRCCS, Via Gattamelata 64, 35128 Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zagonel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005910:Glioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D000068258:Bevacizumab; C054368:fotemustine