Intraarterial infusion of carboplatin in the treatment of malignant gliomas: a phase II study.

Twenty-three previously treated patients with malignant gliomas were included in this phase II study of carboplatin (400 mg/m2) given as an intraarterial infusion every 4 weeks. Five patients (26% of 19 evaluable) achieved a partial response for 3 to 10 months and 5 patients presented a stabilization for 2 to 7 months. Toxicity was mild in most patients, with nausea, vomiting and myelosuppression being the most frequent side-effects. No renal or auditory toxicity was observed. One patient developed central nervous toxicity and another one a reversible fall in visual acuity. Finally, carboplatin infused by the intraarterial route seems to be an active drug, less toxic than cisplatin, in malignant gliomas, and further trials are warranted.