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A sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic treatment for patients with malignant gliomas: a phase II pilot study
C Dazzi1, A Cariello, M Giannini
1Dipartimento di Oncologia ed Ematologia, Ospedale Santa Maria delle Croci, Ravenna, Italy. c.dazzi@ra.nettuno.it
Background:
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of a sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic treatment on the basis of an earlier report by The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center.
Materials And Methods:
Eighteen patients with histologically diagnosed malignant gliomas entered the study. Fifteen patients had glioblastoma multiforme (83%). BCNU (40 mg/sqm/die) and Cisplatin (40 mg/sqm/die) were administered concurrently for 3 days every 3-4 weeks. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy whole cranial irradiation plus a 15 Gy boost on the preoperative volume.
Results:
Thirteen patients had measurable disease and were evaluable for response. After chemotherapy we obtained 3 CRs (complete remission) and 4 PRs (partial remission) (RR (response rate 54%). Three PRs were converted to CRs after radiotherapy, for a complete remission rate of 46% (6/13). The median duration of response was 10 months. The median survival of the entire patients population was 9 months with 33% survival rates at 1 year. Hematological toxicity grade 4 in one patient and grade 3 in two patients were the major complications due to chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
Our sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic regimen appears to have significant activity in adults with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.