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Brain Tumor Study Group: a survey of current activities
National Cancer Institute Monograph
|December 1, 1977
Summary
Malignant glioma treatment shows incremental progress. Radiotherapy and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) improve survival, with combination therapy yielding more long-term survivors than either alone.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Cancer Research
Background:
- Malignant glioma treatment advances rely on incremental changes.
- Phase II studies suggest potential therapies, but require Phase III validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate the efficacy of various treatments for malignant glioma.
- Determine survival benefits of radiotherapy, BCNU, and other agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of National Cancer Institute Brain Tumor Study Group findings.
- Analysis of data from controlled phase III evaluations.
Main Results:
- Mithramycin showed no efficacy in malignant glioma treatment.
- Radiotherapy and 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) significantly increased survival.
- Combination of radiotherapy and BCNU resulted in more long-term survivors.
- Methyl-1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea showed benefit over no therapy but not additive to radiotherapy.
- Ongoing studies investigate corticosteroid oncolytic effects.
Conclusions:
- Radiotherapy and BCNU are effective treatments for malignant glioma.
- Combined radiotherapy and BCNU offer superior survival outcomes.
- Further research into corticosteroids may yield new therapeutic insights.