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Title: Phase II study of accelerated fractionation radiation therapy with carboplatin followed by vincristine chemotherapy for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Texas, Houston, TX (United States); and others

The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a Phase II one-arm study to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy combined with intravenous carboplatin for patients with previously untreated glioblastoma multiforme tumors. Between 1988 and 1992, 83 patients received 1.9-2.0 Gy radiation three times a day with 2-h infusions of 33 mg/m{sup 2} carboplatin for two 5-day cycles separated by 2 weeks. Seventy-four of the 83 patients (89%) received one or more courses of PCV; their median survival was 55 weeks. Total resection was performed in 20% (15 of 74), subtotal resection in 69% (51 or 74), and biospy in 11% (8 of 74); reoperation (total or subtotal resection) was performed in 28 patients (37%). Survival was worst for those {ge} 61 year old (median 35 weeks). Fits of the Cox proportional hazards regression model showed covariated individually predictive of improved survival were younger age (p <0.01), smaller log of radiation volume (p = 0.008), total or subtotal resection vs. biopsy (p = 0.056), and higher Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.055). A multivariate analysis showed that age (p = 0.013) and extent of initial surgery (p = 0.003) together were predictive of a better survival with no other variables providing additional significance. Only 8.4% (7 of 83) of patients had clinically documented therapy-associated neurotoxicity ({open_quotes}radiation necrosis{close_quotes}). When comparable selection criteria were applied, the survival in this study is similar to the results currently attainable with other chemoradiation approaches. The relative safety of accelerated fractionated radiotherapy, as used in this study with carboplatin, enables concomitant full-dose administration of chemotherapy or radiosensitizing agents in glioblastoma multiforme patients. 42 refs., 3 figs., 5 tabs.

OSTI ID:
437128
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 33, Issue 2; Other Information: PBD: 30 Sep 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English