title: Regression of a glioblastoma multiforme: spontaneous versus a potential antineoplastic effect of dexamethasone and levetiracetam.
abstract: Patients with grade IV astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have a median survival of <12 months, increased to 14.6 months by maximal safe resection with radiation and temozolamide. In the absence of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, spontaneous regression of GBM or regression while only being on dexamethasone (DEX) and levetiracetam (LEV) have seldom been reported. Here, we present a case of a patient who had significant regression of the GBM with DEX and LEV alone. In this study, we hypothesise a plausible antineoplastic role of DEX and or LEV in GBM and highlight molecular, preclinical and clinical studies supporting this role.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport School of Medicine, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Peddi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport School of Medicine, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Nisha Elizabeth
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ajit
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Oncology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport School of Medicine, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Gary Von
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport School of Medicine, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Hazem
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Osta
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000532:radiotherapy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009365:Neoplasm Regression, Spontaneous; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077204:Temozolomide
chemical_list: D000077287:Levetiracetam; D003606:Dacarbazine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000077204:Temozolomide; D010889:Piracetam