A sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic treatment for patients with malignant gliomas: a phase II pilot study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of a sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic treatment on the basis of an earlier report by The Johns Hopkins Oncology Center.

Materials and methods: Eighteen patients with histologically diagnosed malignant gliomas entered the study. Fifteen patients had glioblastoma multiforme (83%). BCNU (40 mg/sqm/die) and Cisplatin (40 mg/sqm/die) were administered concurrently for 3 days every 3-4 weeks. Radiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy whole cranial irradiation plus a 15 Gy boost on the preoperative volume.

Results: Thirteen patients had measurable disease and were evaluable for response. After chemotherapy we obtained 3 CRs (complete remission) and 4 PRs (partial remission) (RR (response rate 54%). Three PRs were converted to CRs after radiotherapy, for a complete remission rate of 46% (6/13). The median duration of response was 10 months. The median survival of the entire patients population was 9 months with 33% survival rates at 1 year. Hematological toxicity grade 4 in one patient and grade 3 in two patients were the major complications due to chemotherapy.

Conclusions: Our sequential chemo-radiotherapeutic regimen appears to have significant activity in adults with newly diagnosed high-grade gliomas.