Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma
Published on: October 27, 2014
Targeted therapy with antineoplastons A10 and AS2-1 of high-grade, recurrent, and progressive brainstem glioma
Stanislaw R Burzynski1, Tomasz J Janicki, Robert A Weaver
1Department of Internal Medicine, Burzynski Clinic, Houston, Texas 77055, USA. srb@burzynskiclinic.com
Background:
Brainstem glioma carries the worst prognosis of all malignancies of the brain. Most patients with brainstem glioma fail standard radiation therapy and chemotherapy and do not survive longer than 2 years. Treatment is even more challenging when an inoperable tumor is of high-grade pathology (HBSG). The objective of this report is to summarize the outcome of patients with HBSG treated with antineoplastons in 4 phase 2 trials.
Patients:
The following group of 18 patients was evaluable: 4 patients with glioblastomas and 14 patients with anaplastic HBSG. Fourteen patients had diffuse intrinsic tumors. Twelve patients suffered from recurrence, and 6 patients did not have radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Methods:
Antineoplastons, which consist of antineoplaston A10 (A10I) and AS2-1 injections, were given in escalating doses by intravenous injections. The median duration of antineoplaston administration was 5 months, and the average dosage of A10I was 9.22 g/kg/d and of AS2-1 was 0.31 g/kg/d. Responses were assessed by gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography.
Results:
The overall survival at 2 and 5 years was 39% and 22%, respectively, and maximum survival was more than 17 years for a patient with anaplastic astrocytoma and more than 5 years for a patient with glioblastoma. Progression-free survival at 6 months was 39%. Complete response was achieved in 11%, partial response in 11%, stable disease in 39%, and progressive disease in 39% of patients. Antineoplastons were tolerated very well with 1 case of grade 4 toxicity (reversible anemia).
Conclusion:
Antineoplastons contributed to more than a 5-year survival in recurrent diffuse intrinsic glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas of the brainstem in a small group of patients.
Insights
Antineoplastons show promise for treating high-grade brainstem gliomas, offering extended survival in a small patient group. This approach demonstrated good tolerance and potential for long-term outcomes in challenging brain tumor cases.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Clinical Trials
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Brainstem gliomas (HBSG) have a poor prognosis, with limited survival beyond 2 years.
- Standard treatments like radiation and chemotherapy are often ineffective, especially for inoperable, high-grade tumors.
- Effective treatment options for HBSG remain a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of antineoplastons in patients with high-grade brainstem gliomas.
- To summarize outcomes from four Phase 2 clinical trials involving antineoplaston therapy.
- To assess the impact of antineoplastons on overall survival and tumor response.
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with high-grade brainstem gliomas (including glioblastomas and anaplastic HBSG) were evaluated.
- Patients received escalating doses of antineoplaston A10 (A10I) and AS2-1 via intravenous injection.
- Tumor response was assessed using MRI and PET scans, with a median treatment duration of 5 months.
Main Results:
- Overall survival rates at 2 and 5 years were 39% and 22%, respectively.
- Maximum survival exceeded 17 years for anaplastic astrocytoma and 5 years for glioblastoma.
- Antineoplastons were well-tolerated, with only one case of reversible grade 4 toxicity (anemia).
Conclusions:
- Antineoplastons demonstrated potential in achieving over 5-year survival for patients with recurrent diffuse intrinsic brainstem gliomas.
- This treatment approach showed promise for challenging cases of glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas.
- Further investigation in larger cohorts may be warranted to confirm these findings.
