Is there a role for early chemotherapy in the management of pituitary adenomas?
Pituitary adenomas are benign intracranial neoplasms that are frequently well-controlled with standard treatments that include surgical resection, radiotherapy, and agents that modulate hormonal excess. Unfortunately, a subset of patients remains uncontrolled or develops complications from these interventions. For these patients, chemotherapy is an additional treatment option that could improve outcomes. Temozolomide is an oral chemotherapy with a favorable side-effect profile that has shown activity against pituitary adenomas. Its non-overlapping toxicity and ability to induce rapid tumor regression renders it a potentially important adjunctive treatment. In patients with tumors that cannot be optimally addressed with standard treatments, there may be a role for early initiation of temozolomide.
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (A.L.L., L.M.D.A.) lina1@mskcc.org.
Andrew L
AL
Lin
Division of Endocrinology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York (M.W.S.).
Melissa W
MW
Sum
Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York (A.L.L., L.M.D.A.).
Lisa M
LM
DeAngelis
D000236:Adenoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077204:Temozolomide
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide
chemotherapy; neuro-oncology; pituitary adenoma; pituitary carcinoma; temozolomide