Temozolomide treatment in glioma--experiences in two university hospitals in Finland

Thirty-two patients with relapsing glioma were treated with temozolomide in two university hospitals in Finland. One patient (3%) had complete response and 9 (28%) partial response, with 8 patients (25%) showing stable disease. Median progression-free survival for these 18 patients (56%) was 7 months (range 2-11+). The remaining either had progressive disease (25%) or only clinical evaluation (19%). Karnofsky score improved in 34% of patients and decreased in 3%. Symptoms were alleviated in 44% and deteriorated in 9%. Grade 3-4 toxicity was detected in 9% of the patients. Only 4% of the days in treatment were spent in hospital. An average 1.8 neuroradiological investigations, 6.9 laboratory visits, and 5.3 visits to the oncologist were made. This study confirms that temozolomide has positive effects on the outcome of often heavily pretreated glioma patients. High drug costs are compensated by prolonged home care and even the possibility to maintain working capacity.