Temozolomide as salvage treatment for recurrent intracranial ependymomas of the adult: a retrospective study |
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Authors: | Roberta Rudà Chiara Bosa Michela Magistrello Federica Franchino Alessia Pellerino Valentina Fiano Morena Trevisan Paola Cassoni Riccardo Soffietti |
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Institution: | Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, Torino,, Italy (R.R., C.B., M.M., F.F., A.P., R.S.); Department of Clinical Epidemiology, University and City of Health and Science University Hospital, Torino, Italy (V.F., M.T.); Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, Torino 10126, Italy (P.C.) |
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Abstract: | BackgroundFew data are available on temozolomide (TMZ) in ependymomas.We investigated the response, survival, and correlation with MGMT promoter methylation in a cohort of patients with adult intracranial ependymoma receiving TMZ as salvage therapy after failure of surgery and radiotherapy.Patients and MethodsWe retrieved clinical information from the institutional database and follow-up visits, and response to TMZ on MRI was evaluated according to the MacDonald criteria.ResultsEighteen patients (median age, 42 y), with either WHO grade III (10) or grade II (8) ependymoma were evaluable. Tumor location at diagnosis was supratentorial in 11 patients and infratentorial in 7. Progression before TMZ was local in 11 patients, local and spinal in 6 patients, and spinal only in one patient. A median of 8 cycles of TMZ (1–24) was administered. Response to TMZ consisted of complete response (CR) in one (5%) patient, partial response (PR) in 3 (17%) patients, stable disease (SD) in 7 (39%) patients, and progressive disease (PD) in 7 (39%) patients. Maximum response occurred after 3, 10, 14, and 15 cycles, respectively, with neurological improvement in 2 patients. All 4 responding patients were chemotherapy naïve. Both anaplastic (2) and grade II (2) tumors responded. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 9.69 months (95% CI, 3.22–30.98) and 30.55 months (95% CI, 12.85–52.17), respectively. MGMT methylation was available in 11 patients and was not correlated with response or outcome.ConclusionTMZ has a role in recurrent chemo-naïve adult patients with intracranial ependymoma, regardless of tumor grade and MGMT methylation. We suggest that, after failure of surgery and radiotherapy, TMZ should be considered as a possible first-line treatment for recurrent ependymoma. |
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Keywords: | adult ependymomas MGMT methylation recurrence temozolomide |
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