Brain Tumors Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Brain Tumors, including details on symptoms, benign and malignant tumors, gliomas, screening, treatment.

Phase II study of temozolomide plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of brain metastases from solid tumours.

Caraglia M, Addeo R, Costanzo R, Montella L, Faiola V, Marra M, Abbruzzese A, Palmieri G, Budillon A, Grillone F, Venuta S, Tagliaferri P, Del Prete S

Oncology Department, S.Giovanni di Dio Hospital, ASL Napoli 3 Via Giovanni XXIII, 80028 Frattaminore, Naples, Italy. michele.caraglia@fondazionepascale.it

OBJECTIVE: A combination regimen of temozolomide (TMZ) and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has been evaluated in the treatment of brain metastases from solid tumours. STUDY DESIGN: Nineteen consecutive patients (pts) have been enrolled in a prospective phase II trial and treated with TMZ 200 mg/m2 (days 1-5) and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 35 mg/m2 (day 1) every 28 days. The study was prospectively projected according to the Simon's two-stage optimal design. RESULTS: Major toxicities have been grade III neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in one patient (pt) and grade III erythrodisesthesia in two pts. Three pts achieved a complete response (CR) and four a partial response (PR), for an overall response rate of 36.8% (95% CI: 19.1-59.2), which exceeded the target activity in the study design. A significant improvement in quality of life was demonstrated by FACT-G analysis. The median Progression Free Survival (PFS) was 5.5 (95% CI: 2.7-8.2) months while the median Overall Survival (OS) was 10.0 months (95% CI: 6.3-13.7). CONCLUSIONS: The TMZ/pegylated liposomal doxorubicin regimen was well tolerated with an encouraging activity in brain metastases from solid tumours.

Published 25 November 2005 in Cancer Chemother Pharmacol, 57(1): 34-9.
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