Intra arterial chemotherapy with ACNU and radiotherapy in inoperable malignant gliomas

For the non-operable malignant glioma patients, prognosis remains poor, with a survival of 8 months for the glioblastomas (G), and 15 months for anaplastic astrocytomas (AA). 27 histologic proven malignant gliomas (17 AA and 10 G) were treated between April 1991 and June 1992. Median age was 48 years. The therapeutic protocol consisted of three courses of intra arterial chemotherapy (IAC) with ACNU, at intervals of six weeks, and a localised 60 Gy radiotherapy between the first and the second IAC course. 72 courses of IAC were delivered (2.4 per patient). Response rate was 51.8%. Median survival (MS) was 13 months, with a survival rate of 28% at 24 months. For the AA, MS was 21 months, with a survival rate of 37% at 24 months. For the G, median survival was 10 months. Responders were 65% for AA, 30% for G. Non responders all died before 24 months had relapsed with a MS of 9 months. 54% of responding patients had a 2 years survival. Toxicity were acceptable with 7% of haematological toxicity and partial loss of visual acuity in 11% of the case. No chronic neurological sequellae were noted. We compare theses results with two previous trials, concerning inoperable patients, treated by association of radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Survival seems to be equivalent with HeCNU and with this treatment, but toxicity decrease with ACNU. Early radiotherapy does not increase complications. This treatment can be used for patients with inoperable malignant gliomas.