Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005 ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings.
Vol 23, No 16S (June 1 Supplement), 2005: 1576
© 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology

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Abstract

Survival rates of patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated with combined radiochemotherapy at first line

Paracelsus-Strahlenklinik, Osnabrück, Germany; Paracelsus-Strahlenklinik, Osnabrück, Germany; Oberschwaben Klin, Ravensburg, Germany

1576

Background: The prognosis of malignant glioma remains poor. Standard therapy consists of radical resection and postoperative irradiation. The median survival rates lay in the range between 6 and 13 months. Chemotherapy using PCV was not able to improve the results significantly. Since 1999, a new oral alkylating agent called temozolomide (TMZ) was introduced in the therapy of gliomas. In this study temozolomide was analysed regarding efficacy and tolerability. Methods: 42 patients with histologically proven glioblastoma multiforme were treated postoperatively with concomitant radiochemotherapy. All tumours had been completely resected. The median age of all patients was 54 years (25–60 years). Patients older than 60 years or patients with a Karnofsky-Index < 80 were not included in the study. Irradiation was performed conventionally with total doses between 54 Gy and 60 Gy specified to the resected tumour area. Temozolomide was given during the complete course of irradiation orally with a daily application of 100 mg absolutely without any supportive therapy. After finalisation of irradiation temozolomide therapy was stopped. Patients were evaluated and controlled every 6–8 weeks using MRI. Results: Median survival of all patients was 14 months. The 1-year overall survival rate was 72%, the 2-year overall survival rate was 30%. Side effects of this minor aggressive therapy were small. In only 4 cases a leuco-thrombozytopenia > Grad III WHO was documented. All patients developed alopecia caused by radiotherapy. No motoric, sensitive or mental deficits were documented related to therapy. Conclusions: In conclusion the 2-year overall survival rate of 30% and the median survival time of 14 months are encouraging and the data are comparable with the EORTC- Study results gained by Roger Stupp. It must be mentioned that the prognosis of the involved patients concerning survival time was a priori better in this study compared to other trials, as only patients with good prognostic factors were included.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.