BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and possible toxicity of the combination of temozolomide (TMZ) with whole-brain irradiation (WBI) in the treatment of brain metastases from solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 33 patients with brain metastases were included in the study and treated with TMZ 60 mg/m2/day (days 1-16) concomitantly with WBI (36 Gy/12 fractions given in 16 days). One month after the end of radiotherapy, 6 cycles of TMZ were administered as adjuvant treatment (200 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days every 28 days). RESULTS: Responses were assessed using computed tomography at the end of the 3rd and 6th cycle of chemotherapy. The objective response rate was 54.5% and 57.6% after the 3rd and the 6th cycle, respectively. The median overall survival was 12 months. In patients with metastases from lung cancer the objective response rate was 11/14 (78.6%) after both the 3rd and the 6th cycle of treatment. The most common side effects were anemia (24.2%), thrombocytopenia (18.2%), as well as nausea and vomiting (18.2%). The high incidence of hepatotoxicity (45.5%) might be related to concomitantly administered antiepileptic drugs and not to TMZ. CONCLUSION: WBI combined with TMZ as concomitant and adjuvant treatment is effective in treating brain metastases, with acceptable mild side effects.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and possible toxicity of the combination of temozolomide (TMZ) with whole-brain irradiation (WBI) in the treatment of brain metastases from solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 33 patients with brain metastases were included in the study and treated with TMZ 60 mg/m2/day (days 1-16) concomitantly with WBI (36 Gy/12 fractions given in 16 days). One month after the end of radiotherapy, 6 cycles of TMZ were administered as adjuvant treatment (200 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days every 28 days). RESULTS: Responses were assessed using computed tomography at the end of the 3rd and 6th cycle of chemotherapy. The objective response rate was 54.5% and 57.6% after the 3rd and the 6th cycle, respectively. The median overall survival was 12 months. In patients with metastases from lung cancer the objective response rate was 11/14 (78.6%) after both the 3rd and the 6th cycle of treatment. The most common side effects were anemia (24.2%), thrombocytopenia (18.2%), as well as nausea and vomiting (18.2%). The high incidence of hepatotoxicity (45.5%) might be related to concomitantly administered antiepileptic drugs and not to TMZ. CONCLUSION: WBI combined with TMZ as concomitant and adjuvant treatment is effective in treating brain metastases, with acceptable mild side effects.
Authors: Taofeek K Owonikoko; Jack Arbiser; Amelia Zelnak; Hui-Kuo G Shu; Hyunsuk Shim; Adam M Robin; Steven N Kalkanis; Timothy G Whitsett; Bodour Salhia; Nhan L Tran; Timothy Ryken; Michael K Moore; Kathleen M Egan; Jeffrey J Olson Journal: Nat Rev Clin Oncol Date: 2014-02-25 Impact factor: 66.675
Authors: Tom Mikkelsen; Joe Anderson; Thomas J Doyle; David Croteau; Rita Avedissian; Sam Ryu; Lonni Schultz Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2010-04-30 Impact factor: 4.130
Authors: Marco Ronald Hassler; Wolfgang Pfeifer; Thomas Hendrik Knocke-Abulesz; Klaus Geissler; Gabriele Altorjai; Karin Dieckmann; Christine Marosi Journal: Wien Klin Wochenschr Date: 2013-08-02 Impact factor: 1.704
Authors: Jeffrey J Olson; Nina A Paleologos; Laurie E Gaspar; Paula D Robinson; Rachel E Morris; Mario Ammirati; David W Andrews; Anthony L Asher; Stuart H Burri; Charles S Cobbs; Douglas Kondziolka; Mark E Linskey; Jay S Loeffler; Michael McDermott; Minesh P Mehta; Tom Mikkelsen; Roy A Patchell; Timothy C Ryken; Steven N Kalkanis Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2009-12-03 Impact factor: 4.130