 |
Quick Links |
| Information by Disease |
|
|
|
| Cancer News |
|
|
|
| Conference Coverage |
|
|
|
| AZN | $44.82 | -0.37 (-0.82%)
| | NVS | $53.13 | -0.16 (-0.3%)
| | SNY | $37.67 | -0.01 (-0.03%)
| | GSK | $41.53 | 0.06 (0.14%)
|
|
|
|
Brain and CNS Cancers - General
|
|
Regimen of Radiotherapy, Temodar®, Avastin®, and Camptosar® Effective for Glioblastoma (11/17/2009)
Researchers from Duke University have reported that a regimen of radiotherapy (RT), Temodar® (temozolomide), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) followed by Camptosar® (irinotecan), Temodar, and Avastin after RT was well tolerated and effective for treating patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The details of this Phase II study were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Radiation Therapy and Oncology (ASTRO) in the first week of November.
Oncophage® Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Recurrent Glioblastoma (11/9/2009)
Researchers from the Brain Tumor Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco, have reported that Oncophage® (vitespen), a cancer vaccine, may improve survival of patients with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioblastoma. The details of this Phase II clinical trial were presented at the 2009 Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/CNS section on tumors on October 24.
Anticonvulsants May Improve Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma (11/4/2009)
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that patients with glioblastoma who are receiving enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant (EIAC) drugs may have improved outcomes compared with similar patients with glioblastoma not taking such drugs. The details of this study appeared in the October 13, 2009 issue of Neurology.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone is Preferred Treatment for Patients with One to Three Brain Metastases (10/15/2009)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that patients with one to three brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plus whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) have significant neurocognitive losses after treatment, and that treatment with SRS alone is recommended. The details of this randomized study were published early online in Lancet Oncology on October 8, 2009.
Avastin® Alone or with Camptosar® Effective for Recurrent Gliomas (10/14/2009)
Researchers affiliated with a US multicenter randomized trial have reported that Avastin® (bevacizumab) alone or combined with Camptosar® (irinotecan) was effective for the treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas. The details of this study were published in the October 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Avastin® and Radiation Therapy Safe and Active for Recurrent Gliomas (9/3/2009)
Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have reported that Avastin® (bevacizumab) and hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy is safe and effective for treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas. The details of this study appeared in the September 1, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology & Physics.
ASCO 2009: Phase I-II Results of New Bcl-2 Inhibitor, AT-101 (8/5/2009)
At the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) there were several preclinical and Phase I-II clinical presentations suggesting activity for a new inhibitor of the Bcl-2 family of proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mel-1, Bcl-W), AT-109, developed by Ascenta Therapeutics.
Gliadel® Wafers plus Multimodality Therapy May Improve Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma (7/21/2009)
Researchers from Duke University have reported that Gliadel® (carmustine) wafers may improve survival of newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated with multimodality therapy. The details of this study appeared in the August 2009 issue of Cancer.
Autologous Stem Cell Transplants Effective for Recurrent Pediatric Brain Tumors (5/27/2009)
Researchers from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have reported that high-dose thiotepa-based autologous transplant regimens are effective in children with recurrent medulloblastoma (MB) and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in Cancer on April 28, 2009.
Five-year Follow-up Confirms Benefit of Adding Temodar® Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma (3/24/2009)
Researchers affiliated with EORTC-NCIF randomized trial have reported that a longer follow-up confirms the benefit of adding Temodar® (temozolomide) to adjuvant radiotherapy for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the Lancet Oncology on March 9, 2009.
Tarceva® and Temodar® plus Radiation Improves Survival in Glioblastoma Multiforme (2/12/2009)
Researchers from the University of California at San Francisco have reported that the addition of Tarceva® (erlotinib) and Temodar® (temozolomide) during and after radiation therapy improves survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and gliosarcoma. The details of this study appeared in the February 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Cell Phones Do Not Increase Risk of Developing Meningioma (9/29/2008)
Researchers from Finland, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway have reported that long-term data do not indicate an association between the use of cell phones and an increased risk of meningioma. The details of this study appeared in an early online publication in the International Journal of Epidemiology on August 2, 2008.
Intravenous Rituxan® Effective in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas (9/16/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the NCI-sponsored New Approaches to Brain Tumor Therapy (NABTT) consortium have reported that intravenous Rituxan® (rituximab) may be effective in the treatment of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in May, 2008.
CDX-110 Vaccine May Improve Survival in Brain Cancer (6/5/2008)
Researchers affiliated with the ACTIVATE and ACT II trials have reported that the investigative vaccine CDX-110 has demonstrated impressive survival results when compared with historical controls for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). These results were recently presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, Illinois.
Avastin® Improves Survival in Recurrent Brain Cancer (6/4/2008)
Researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles have reported that patients with recurrent glioblastoma who were treated with Avastin® (bevacizumab) alone experienced a slight survival advantage compared with patients treated with Avastin plus Camptosar® (irinotecan). These results were presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Cediranib Prolongs Survival in Recurrent Glioblastoma (5/29/2008)
Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital, the National Cancer Institute, and the Dana Farber Cancer Center have reported that cediranib (AZD2171) appears to prolong survival among patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). These results were at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2008 annual meeting April 12-16 in San Diego.
Clinical Course of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Described (4/23/2008)
Researchers from Italy have reported the prognostic characteristics of more than 600 consecutive cases of newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The details of this study were published in the February 2008 issue of Neuro-Oncology.
Avastin® and Camptosar® Effective for Recurrent Gliomas (3/19/2008)
Researchers from Israel have reported that the combination of Avastin® (bevacizumab) and Camptosar® (irinotecan) is an effective combination for the treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas. The details of this Phase II study were published early online on March 8, 2008 in Cancer.
Radioactive Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Shows Promise in Glioblastoma Multiforme and Astrocytoma (3/3/2008)
Researchers from Duke University have reported promising results for the administration of 131 I-labeled murine antitenascin monoclonal antibody 81C6 (131I-81C6) into the surgical resection cavity of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or anaplastic astrocytoma when given with external beam radiotherapy and temozoloide (Temodar®). The details of this pilot study appeared in an early online publication on February 20, 2008 in Neuro-Oncology.
Alternative Approach to Brain Mapping Preserves Language Function (1/25/2008)
Researchers from the University of California at San Francisco have reported that a less extensive approach to surgery and brain mapping still allows for preservation of language function in a large proportion of patients undergoing surgery for glioma. These results were published in the January 3, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Radiation to the Brain Should Become Standard Therapy for Extensive-Disease Small Cell Lung Cancer (8/21/2007)
Researchers affiliated with the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group and Lung Cancer Group have reported that prophylactic cranial radiation following treatment with chemotherapy should now become a standard treatment option for patients with extensive-disease small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The details of this randomized trial were published in the August 16, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. This study had previously been presented at the 2007 meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Lack of Health Knowledge Associated with Increased Mortality (7/27/2007)
Researchers from Northwestern and Emory Universities have reported that individuals with low levels of health literacy have an increased rate of mortality. The details of this study appeared in the July 23, 2007 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
High-Dose Chemotherapy with Stem Cell Support Effective for Medulloblastoma (6/25/2007)
Researchers from France have reported that a high-dose regimen of busulfan and thiotepa supported by autologous stem cells followed by local radiotherapy resulted in a 69% 5-year survival in children with medulloblastoma that had progressed after initial surgery or surgery plus chemotherapy. The details of this study appeared in the July 1, 2007 issue of Cancer.
Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma in the Elderly is Effective Palliation (4/19/2007)
Researchers from France have reported that palliative radiotherapy improves survival without decreasing quality of life compared to supportive care alone. The details of this randomized study appeared in the April 12, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Vitamins During Pregnancy Decrease Childhood Cancer Risk (2/23/2007)
Researchers from the University of Toronto have reported that maternal vitamin intake is associated with a decreased risk of pediatric brain tumors, neuroblastoma and leukemia.
Long-Term Cell Phone Use Not Associated With Increased Risk of Brain Cancer (12/12/2006)
Researchers from Denmark have reported that long-term data do not indicate an association between the use of cell phones and an increased risk of brain cancer.
Radiotherapy and Sequential Autologous Stem Cell Transplants May Improve Outcomes of Pediatric Medulloblastoma (10/4/2006)
A multi-center trial has reported that children with average and high risk medulloblastoma have improved survivals following post-operative risk-adapted radiotherapy and 4 cycles of high-dose Cytoxan® (cyclophosphamide) and Platinol® (cisplatin) with peripheral blood stem cell support.
Temodar®, CeeNU® and Radiation Therapy Promising for Glioblastoma (9/25/2006)
Researchers from Germany have reported promising results treating newly diagnosed patients with glioblastoma mulltiforme (GBM) with Temodar (temozolomide), CeeNU (lomustine) and radiation therapy.
Efaproxyn(TM) Completes Accrual in Phase III Trial (9/19/2006)
The pivotal phase III trial evaluating Efaproxyn (efaproxiral) for the treatment of breast cancer patients with brain metastases has completed patient accrual.
High-Dose Chemotherapy, Autologous Transplant and Whole Brain Radiation Effective for Primary CNS Lymphoma (8/21/2006)
Researchers from Germany have reported that a high-dose regimen of carmustine and thiotepa appeared to improve outcomes of patients with primary central nervous system (CNS) non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) when followed by whole brain radiation therapy.
Tandem Autologous Transplants Effective for High-Risk Neuroblastoma (8/21/2006)
Researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have reported that approximately 50% of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma become long-term survivors after induction chemotherapy, surgery, local radiation therapy and tandem autologous transplants.
Mobile Cell Phone Use Does Not Increase Incidence of Gliomas (4/26/2006)
Researchers from the United Kingdom have reported that short or medium term use of mobile cell phone use was not associated with an increased risk of glioma.
Fluorescence-Guided Surgery Improves Outcomes in Malignant Glioma (4/26/2006)
Researchers from Germany have reported that the injection of 5-aminolevulinic acid creates tumor fluorescence which allows more complete resection of gliomas with better progression-free survivals.
Effectiveness of Gleevec® Plus Hydroxyurea for Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma Confirmed (12/22/2005)
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, Dulman, Germany, and Duke University have reported that the combination of Gleevec (imatinib mesylate) plus hydroxyurea provides benefit for approximately one-half of patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.
Gleevec® Plus Hydroxyurea May Have Activity in Glioblastomas (9/23/2005)
Researchers from Germany have reported clinical benefit in 57% of patients with refractory glioblastoma multiforme treated with Gleevec (imatinib) and hydroxyurea.
Exposure to Chemical Munitions in Gulf War May Increase Brain Cancer in Veterans (7/28/2005)
Researchers from the Veterans Health Administration have reported that exposure to chemical munitions in the Gulf War in 1991 may be associated with an increased risk of brain cancer death.
Temodar®/BiCNU® Prior to and Following Radiation Therapy in Inoperable Glioblastoma Multiforme Promising (7/20/2005)
French researchers have reported that Temodar (temozolomide) and BiCNU (carmustine) used prior to and following radiation therapy is a promising regimen in patients diagnosed with inoperable glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression Important for Response to Tarceva® in Gliomas (6/17/2005)
Researchers from the University of California at San Francisco have reported that patients with glioblastoma multiforme who respond to Tarceva (erlotinib) have high levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and low levels of PKB/akt in their tumors.
Rituxan® plus Temodar® Effective for Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (5/31/2005)
Researchers from Italy have reported that the combination of Rituxan (rituximab) and Temodar (temozolomide) is an effective treatment regimen for patients with primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL).
Temodar(R) Approved by FDA for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Patients (3/24/2005)
On March 15, 2005 the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved oral Temodar® (temozolomide) in combination with radiation therapy for the initial treatment of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). FDA approval was for concomitant treatment with oral Temodar® and radiation therapy followed by maintenance therapy with Temodar®.
Temodar® Plus Radiation Therapy Improves Outcomes in Patients with Glioblastoma (3/15/2005)
Researchers involved in a large, phase III multi-national study carried out by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) have reported that patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who received concurrent and adjuvant Temodar® (temozolomide) in addition to radiation lived significantly longer than those that received radiation therapy alone. However, only half of the patients receiving Temodar® benefited and this population of responders could be identified by DNA testing of tumor samples.
Chemotherapy Alone is Promising for Pediatric Medulloblastoma (3/11/2005)
A multi-center trial of post-operative chemotherapy without radiation was performed in children under the age of 3 years with medulloblastoma. This study suggests that chemotherapy alone is a promising treatment that may result in good disease control with less neurotoxicity than chemotherapy plus radiation, which has been the standard treatment.
Treatment for Glioma is Variable in Practice (2/9/2005)
According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the pattern of care for patients with grades III or IV malignant gliomas varies in practice, with many patients not receiving chemotherapy. The authors suggested that further clinical guidelines in the management of this disease are necessary to provide consistency with optimal therapeutic approaches.
Randomized Study Confirms Benefits of Temodol® and Concomitant Whole-Brain Radiation for Metastatic Brain Tumors (1/28/2005)
Researchers from Spain have reported that adding Temodol® (temozolomide) to whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT) improves progression-free survival of patients with brain metastases. The details of this report appeared in the January 2005 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics.
Erlotinib (Tarceva®) Produces Responses in Glioblastoma Multiforme (11/16/2004)
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor Institute have reported that Tarceva® (erlotinib) produced responses in more than 40% of patients with glioblastoma multiforme. These results were presented at the 29th European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress held in Vienna, Austria, October 29 – November 3, 2004.
Temozolomide Plus Radiation Therapy Improves Outcome in Patients with Glioblastoma (10/15/2004)
Researchers involved in a large, phase III multi-national EORTC trial have reported that patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who received concurrent and adjuvant Temodar® (temozolomide) in addition to radiation lived significantly longer than those that received radiation therapy alone. These results were presented at the 46th annual meeting of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology held in Atlanta, GA, Oct 2-7, 2004 . Preliminary results of this study were also presented at ASCO in June 2004.
Vaccination and Chemotherapy Appear to Work Together to Increase Survival in Patients with Glioblastoma (9/8/2004)
According to a study published in the August 2004 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, patients with glioblastoma who were treated with a combination of vaccination and chemotherapy lived longer and had cancer progression significantly delayed compared to patients treated with either approach alone.
Addition of Temodar® to Radiation Therapy Improves Survival as Initial Therapy in Glioblastoma Multiforme (6/10/2004)
According to results presented at the plenary session of the 40th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the addition of Temodar® (temozolomide) to initial radiation therapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) improves long-term survival with minimal side effects.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery Boost Improves Treatment of Brain Metastases (5/24/2004)
Researchers affiliated with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) have reported that whole brain radiation followed by stereotactic radiosurgery improves treatment of brain metastasis when compared to whole brain treatment alone. The details of this report appeared in the May 22, 2004 issue of The Lancet.
High-Volume Hospitals and Surgeons Have Better Results for Resection of Metastatic Brain Cancers (2/24/2004)
Dr. FG Baker from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General has reported that patients undergoing craniotomy for metastatic brain tumors have better outcomes if treated in high-volume hospitals by surgeons performing more frequent operations. The details of this report were published in the March 1, 2004 issue of
Cancer.
1
No Increase in Psychiatric Hospitalization for Survivors of Non-CNS Cancers (8/14/2003)
Researchers from Denmark have reported in the August 14, 2003 issue of the
New England Journal of Medicine that survivors of childhood cancer do not suffer from an increase in psychiatric hospitalization unless they had a brain tumor.
Temozolomide May Be Best Drug for Oligodendroglial Brain Tumors (7/7/2003)
In the July issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology, European researchers reported a high response rate to initial chemotherapy with temozolomide in patients with oligodendroglial tumors which have failed surgery and radiation therapy.
Thalidomide and Carmustine Effective for Recurrent Gliomas (6/18/2003)
A study published in the June 15, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that a regimen of thalidomide and carmustine appears to have significant anti-tumor effect in patients with high-grade gliomas who have failed radiation therapy.
Thalidomide and Carmustine Effective for Recurrent Gliomas (6/18/2003)
A study published in the June 15, 2003 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates that a regimen of thalidomide and carmustine appears to have significant anti-tumor effect in patients with high-grade gliomas who have failed radiation therapy.
Waterjet Resection of Brain Metastasis Reported (5/20/2003)
The use of waterjet dissection of brain metastasis was reported for the first time by German researchers in the May issue of the
European Journal of Surgical Oncology. The authors suggested that this technique was useful for removal of “soft, poorly demarcated metastasis” but that “further clinical studies with this device are required”.
Temozolomide (Temodal®) Alone Provides Palliation for Elderly with Gliomas (5/13/2003)
Researchers from the University of Massachusetts have reported that oral Temodal® can provide palliation equivalent to radiation therapy for elderly persons with inoperable gliomas of the brain. These results were reported in the April 17 2003 issue of
Cancer.
Adult Anaplastic Oligodendrogliomas Respond to Temodal® (4/14/2003)
Recently, researchers in the Netherlands found that oral Temodal® was effective as salvage therapy for patients with oligodendroglioma who had failed PCV.
Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy Required for Primary Brain Lymphoma (12/20/2002)
Primary brain lymphoma is a relatively rare brain tumor which appears to be increasing in incidence. In the past, primary brain lymphomas have been treated primarily with radiation therapy resulting in a 5-year survival of approximately 5%. Small studies have suggested that adding chemotherapy improves the outcomes of patients with primary brain lymphoma. A regimen was developed at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center that was evaluated in a multi-center trial conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Study. Because of the relative rarity of this tumor, a multi-institutional trial was necessary to confirm the efficacy of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy for primary brain lymphoma. This trial, involving 98 patients with primary brain lymphoma, has now been evaluated and the results published in the December 15, 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Motexafin Gadolinium (Xcytrin®) Improves Results of Whole Brain Radiation Therapy in Patients with Cancer Metastatic to Brain (10/14/2002)
Cancers often consist of areas of low oxygen concentration which complicates treatment. Hypoxic cells are more resistant to the effects of radiation than well-oxygenated tissues and there have been many candidate drugs for increasing oxygenation of cancers (radiosensitizers), none of which have been very successful. Xcytrin® (motexafin gadolinium) is a new type of radiation sensitizer that sensitizes both oxygenated and hypoxic cells to the effects of radiation. Xcytrin® also localizes selectively in tumors and this can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Laboratory and preclinical studies suggested that Xcytrin® could potentiate the effects of radiation for the treatment of cancers. In 1999, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania determined the optimal dose of Xcytrin® that could be given to patients with a variety of cancers receiving radiation therapy in a phase I trial.
1
Temodol® Improves the Response Rate to Radiation Therapy for Cancer Metastatic to Brain (10/11/2002)
Temozolomide (Temodol®) is an analog of the alkylating agent procarbazine which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of recurrent brain tumors. Current research with this drug primarily involves treatment of newly diagnosed brain tumors. However, researchers in Greece have evaluated the effectiveness of Temodol® for the treatment of cancer metastatic to brain. At the 2002 meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the researchers reported that the addition of Temodol® to whole-brain radiation therapy resulted in significantly higher response rates of brain metastases compared to whole brain radiation alone.
Intraspinal Implantable Drug System Effective in Controlling Pain Due to Metastatic Cancer (10/1/2002)
The management of pain is an important component for the treatment of most patients with metastatic cancer. It is estimated that 5-15% of patients with metastatic cancer have pain that is refractory to oral and i.v. narcotics. Intraspinal implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs) deliver small doses of morphine directly to the spinal fluid, theoretically requiring smaller doses of narcotics. Although this system is known to be effective, there have been no randomized controlled trials. Researchers in the U.S. and Europe affiliated with the Implantable Drug Delivery Systems Study Group have determined that IDDSs are better than conventional pain management techniques. They reported these results in the October 2002 issue of the
Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Scandinavian Study Suggests Use of Older Analogue Cell Phones is Associated With An Increase in Brain Tumors (8/27/2002)
There is great concern that the use of cell phones will lead to an increase in the incidence of brain tumors due to microwave exposure. Most studies to date have failed to show an association between cell phone usage and brain tumors, but some studies have shown an increase in brain tumors, especially acoustic neuromas. In the August 2002 issue of the
European Journal of Cancer Prevention, Swedish researchers have reported that brain tumors may be increased by up to 80% for individuals using old analogue style phones.
New Agent May Decrease Hypoxia and Improve Responses in Glioblastoma Multiforme (7/18/2002)
Many solid tumors may fail to respond to chemotherapy and radiation therapy because of a low oxygen content. In vitro studies have shown that hypoxic cancer cells are more resistant to radiation therapy and chemotherapy than well oxygenated cells. Direct measurements have demonstrated that many solid tumors contain areas of low oxygen concentration. There have been attempts to improve oxygenation by hyperbaric chambers and chemical compounds called “radiosentizers”.
Chemotherapy Plus Radiation in Adult High-Grade Glioma has a Clear but Modest Benefit Over Radiation Alone (4/17/2002)
Malignant gliomas are among the least treatable malignancies usually producing severe and progressive disability with death occurring in most cases. Standard treatment is generally cytoreductive surgery followed by radiotherapy. Following this treatment, the median survival time is 9 months and only 5-10% of patients survive 2 years or more. Adjuvant chemotherapy, usually with nitrosoureas, has been extensively explored but the degree of improvement has been unclear. Since the effects of chemotherapy were not clear, the UK Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Unit and the Glioma Meta-analysis Trialists (GMT) group performed a meta-analysis of all current data on this subject. The results were published in a recent issue of the
Lancet.
Concomitant Radiation Plus Temodal® Followed by Adjuvant Temodal® Shows Promising Survival for Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiforme (3/6/2002)
Temodal®, a novel oral alkylating agent, has recently been approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurrent brain tumors. Temodal® has demonstrated efficacy as second-line therapy for patients with recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). After oral administration, Temodal® is rapidly and almost completely absorbed. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and achieves effective concentrations in the central nervous system (CNS). In a large randomized phase II trial in patients with recurrent GBM, Temodal® was found to be more effective than procarbazine. Recently, researchers in Switzerland performed a phase II trial to determine the safety, tolerability and efficacy of concomitant radiation plus Temodal® therapy followed by adjuvant Temodal® therapy in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.
|
|
Patient Home
