A Phase II Trial of Temozolomide for Patients with Recurrent or Progressive Brain Metastases

Background: Treatment options for patients with recurrent brain metastases are extremely limited. This study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of temozolomide in the treatment of recurrent or progressive brain metastases. Patients and methods: Forty-one patients (11 men, 30 women) with a median KPS of 80 were treated with temozolomide 150mg/m²/day (200mg/m²/day if no prior chemotherapy) for 5 days; treatment cycles were repeated every 28 days. Primary tumor types included 22 non-small cell lung, 10 breast, three melanoma, two small cell lung, two rectal, one ovarian and one endometrial cancer. Results: There were five episodes of grade 3 thrombocytopenia and one grade 4 leukopenia. Significant non-hematologic toxicity possibly related to temozolomide included pneumonitis [2], constipation [1], and elevated liver enzymes [2]. Thirty-four patients were assessed for radiographic response; two had a partial response, 15 stable disease and 17 progressed. Both objective responses were seen in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Overall median survival was 6.6 months. Conclusions: Single agent temozolomide achieved disease control (PR or SD) in 41% of patients with recurrent brain metastases from a variety of primary malignancies with minimal toxicity. Therefore, temozolomide may be a reasonable treatment option for some patients with recurrent brain metastases.     

Intra-arterial Cisplatin Plus Oral Etoposide for the Treatment of Recurrent Malignant Glioma: A Phase II Study

Twenty-five adults with recurrent malignant glioma were enrolled into a phase II clinical study. All patients had undergone surgical resection and had failed radiotherapy and first-line treatment with nitrosourea-based chemotherapy; five had failed second-line chemotherapy. Our objective was to test the efficacy of combining intra-arterially (IA) infused cisplatin and oral etoposide. Using conventional angiographic technique to access anterior/posterior cerebral circulation, cisplatin 60mg/m² was administered by IA infusion on day 1 of treatment. Oral etoposide 50mg/m²/day was given days 1–21, with a 7day rest interval between courses. Response to treatment was evaluated in 20 patients. Two patients with anaplastic astrocytoma had partial responses (PR) and six patients experienced stable disease (SD) for an overall response rate (PR + SD) of 40%. The median time to disease progression (MTP) following treatment for the responder subgroup was 18weeks. The median survival time from treatment (MST) for the responders (n=8) and non-responders (n=12) was 56.5weeks and 11weeks, respectively. Combined IA cisplatin and oral etoposide was well-tolerated, but produced an objective response in only a minority of patients. Those considered responders (PR + SD) experienced significant survival advantage when compared to the non-responders. Nonetheless, IA delivery of chemotherapy is an expensive and technologically burdensome treatment for most patients to access, requiring proximity to a major center with neuro-oncological and neuroradiological clinical services. This is of special concern for patients suffering recurrent disease with progressive neurological symptoms at a time in their course when quality of life must be safeguarded and palliation of symptoms should be the therapeutic goal. Despite the efforts of previous investigators to use this combination of agents to treat recurrent malignant glioma, we cannot recommend the use of IA chemotherapy for salvage treatment of thisbreak disease.     

Phase II Trial of Pre-irradiation KRN8602 (MX2) in Malignant Glioma Patients

KRN8602 (MX2) is a newly developed morpholino anthracycline that crosses the blood–brain barrier where it becomes distributed in brain tissue after intravenous administration. This morpholino anthracycline has been found to be effective against human glioma cells and the intracerebrally transplanted tumors in vivo.We performed a phase II trial using KRN8602 as a single agent in malignant glioma patients who had not received prior adjuvant therapy.The 13 patients (5 glioblastomas, 7 anaplastic astrocytomas and 1 malignant oligodendroglioma) enrolled received at least 1 cycle of KRN8602 at 35mg/m²/day in 3–4 week intervals by intravenous bolus. Ten of these patients could be evaluated for response, and 13 for toxicity. Three patients (1 glioblastoma and 2 anaplastic astrocytomas) demonstrated a complete response (3/10, 30%).Concerning side effects, myelosuppression was moderately severe, with 30.7% of patients developing grade 3 leukopenia. Severe nausea/vomiting was observed in 69% of the patients, however, cardiotoxicity was not observed.The results indicate that KRN8602 demonstrated modest activity against malignant glioma with relatively severe, but manageable toxicity. Further assessment of the efficacy and toxicity of KRN86O2 against malignant glioma may be worthwhile.     

Second Line Chemotherapy with Docetaxel in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma: A Phase II Study

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of docetaxel in recurrent supratentorial malignant gliomas. The sample size of the study was determined by the Gehan's method for a response rate of 20% and a error of 5%. In the first step 14 patients (age 27–69, median 50; Karnofsky index 50–90, median 75) with recurrent malignant glioma after surgery, radiotherapy and nitrosourea, were enrolled (12 glioblastomas, 2 anaplastic astrocytomas). Docetaxel at the initial dose of 80mg/m² was administered every 3 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 41 cycles was administered. Patients received a median of two cycles (range 1–6). No complete or partial response was observed. Therefore, according to the design of the study, no additional patients were enrolled and the trial was terminated. Two stabilizations were observed (14 and 15 weeks). Median TTP was 7 weeks (44 days). Median overall survival from recurrence was 26.5 weeks (6.4 months). Grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 8 patients (57%) but no life-threatening toxicity was observed. Other toxicities were uncommon and mild. Dose reduction was performed in 5 patients. This study suggests that docetaxel displayed no significant activity in patients with malignant recurrent gliomas.     

Phase II Study of Weekly Dose-intensified Cisplatin Chemotherapy with Oral Etoposide in Recurrent Glioma

Background. In most patients with recurrent glioma chemotherapy is the only remaining treatment option. In general results of chemotherapy in these patients are poor, and trials on new regimens are indicated. Because relatively good results have been achieved with combinations of platin compounds and etoposide, we investigated a dose-intensified cisplatin regimen with oral etoposide.Methods. Eligible patients, with recurrent glioma after surgery and radiation therapy were treated with two four week-cycles with cisplatin 70 mg/m² on days 1, 8 and 15, combined with oral etoposide 50 mg daily on days 1–15. In responding or stabilized patients, treatment was continued with six four week-cycles of oral etoposide 50 mg/m² on days 1–21. Toxicity was assessed using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria, a 50% decrease in contrast enhancing area on MRI scan was considered a partial response. Time to progression was measured from the start of chemotherapy.Results. Sixteen patients were included, 11 were progressive during or immediately after the induction cycles. Two patients achieved a partial response with a time to progression of 42 and 58 weeks. Three patients were stable for 11, 14 and 15 weeks respectively. Toxicity was modest.Discussion. This dose-intensified cisplatin regimen did not result in a significant number of objective responses and even the number of stable disease was small. Given the low response rate of this intensive treatment, we consider this intensive regimen inappropriate for these patients.     

替莫唑胺联合放射治疗复发性恶性脑胶质瘤的临床疗效

目的探讨替莫唑胺联合放射治疗复发性恶性脑胶质瘤的临床疗效。方法选取52例复发性恶性脑胶质瘤患者为研究对象,随机将患者分为对照组和实验组,每组26例,给予对照组患者三维适形放射治疗,实验组在对照组的基础上给予口服150 mg/(m^2·d)替莫唑胺治疗,分析比较2组患者的临床疗效及不良反应,并对2组患者进行为期1年的随访,记录患者生存状态。结果实验组患者临床治疗有效率为73.08%,明显高于对照组的46.15%(P<0.05)。治疗后实验组患者的卡氏评分及生活质量改善率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。2组临床均未见治疗性死亡患者,主要临床不良反应表现为中轻度白细胞计数减少、放射性脑水肿、恶心呕吐、发热、骨髓抑制及贫血等症状(P>0.05)。实验组患者1年随访生存率为92.31%,明显高于对照组的84.62%;复发率(3.85%)明显低于对照组的15.38%(P<0.05)。结论替莫唑胺联合放射治疗是复发性恶性脑胶质瘤较为理想的治疗方式,对于改善患者生活质量、提高患者生存率有积极作用,值得临床推广应用。     

替莫唑胺治疗复发性胶质瘤的疗效分析

目的观察并评价替莫唑胺对复发性胶质瘤的临床疗效。方法35例复发性胶质瘤患者,14例首次使用替莫唑胺治疗（F组）,10例再次或多次使用替莫唑胺治疗（R组）,11例从未使用（N组）,定期临床随访、分析所有纳入病例的治疗反应。结果疗效评价指标包括完全缓解(complete response,CR),部分缓解(partial response,PR),稳定(stable disease,SD),进展(progressive disease,PD)及肿瘤进展时间（time of tumor progression, TTP）,半年肿瘤无进展数比和半年生存数比。其中F组的PR+SD较R组与N组高且差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,F组的半年生存例数比为13/15,显著高于R组的5/10（P<0.05）和N组的4/11（P<0.01）。结论替莫唑胺化疗对初次用药的复发性胶质瘤有效,但对再次使用替莫唑胺治疗组中的病例疗效不明显。     

A Randomized Phase II and Pharmacokinetic Study of Dacarbazine in Patients with Recurrent Glioma

We conducted a randomized phase II study to determine the efficacy of dacarbazine (DTIC) in recurrent gliomas. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either DTIC 750mg/m²IV day 1 every 28 days (Arm A) or DTIC 200mg/m²IV days 1–5 every 28 days (Arm B). Pharmacokinetics were studied in 6 patients on each arm using HPLC analysis. Thirty-nine patients (30 male, 9 female), ages 27–67 years (median 53) were entered on the study (20 on Arm A, 19 on Arm B). No objective responses were seen. Median time to progression was 3 months. Median survival was 8 months. Treatment was generally well tolerated. Major toxicities were grade 1–2 nausea (33%), lethargy (28%), diarrhea (15%), alopecia (15%), and grade 3 neutropenia (8%). Four patients on Arm A had mild self-limited episodes of intravascular hemolysis occurring immediately after drug infusion, the mechanism of which is unknown. Mean AUC for DTIC, HMMTIC (5-[3-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-1-triazeno] imidazole-4-carboxamide), and MTIC (5-[3-methyl-1-triazeno] imidazole-4-carboxamide), in Arm A were 14.8, 0.17, and 1.15mMmin, respectively. Corresponding values for Arm B (on day 1 of 5) were 1.7, 0.06, and 0.29mMmin, respectively. The predicted HMMTIC and MTIC exposure over 5 days for Arm B, based on the day 1 data, is higher than with Arm A. We conclude that DTIC is well tolerated but does not have activity in patients with recurrent gliomas. The 5-day schedule appears less toxic, and pharmacokinetic studies show that it provides greater exposure to MTIC and HMMTIC compared to the one-day schedule.     

Phase I Trial of Cisplatin,Pemetrexed, and Imatinib Mesylate in Chemonaive Patients With Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

BackgroundWe conducted a phase I trial of cisplatin/pemetrexed/imatinib mesylate, an oral platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) inhibitor, in chemonaive patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).MethodsA standard 3 + 3 dose-escalating trial was used with the end points of maximum tolerated dose (MTD), response rate, survival, safety/toxicity, and tumor PDGFR levels.ResultsSeventeen patients with MPM were enrolled. The most common (any grade) side effects were nausea, fatigue, hypomagnesemia, and anemia. The MTD was established at dose level 3 (imatinib 600 mg) with a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of nausea and vomiting. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 7.9 months and the median overall survival (OS) was 8.8 months. Patients with a sarcomatoid subtype had worse PFS (P = .01) and OS (P = .009), whereas they had a better Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) of 0-1 predicted for improved OS (P = .001) and PFS (P = .013). The 6 patients who completed all 6 treatment cycles had better OS (P = .006); the median PFS was 9.6 months and the OS was 22.4 months. In the translational studies, 14 patients had adequate tumor tissue that could be assessed for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Patients with higher than median p-PDGFRα IHC expression had a better OS (P = .013). When assessed as a continuous variable, higher p-PDGFRα in tumor cells correlated with an improved OS (P = .045). None of the other 4 IHC biomarkers were predictive or prognostic for survival. Twelve patients had successful PDGFRB FISH results, but none met the criteria of ≥ 4 copies of the PDGFRB gene; thus a correlation with clinical outcomes could not be done.ConclusionThe cisplatin/pemetrexed/imatinib mesylate combination had clinical benefit in some patients with MPM but was not well tolerated. Further investigation into alternative antiangiogenic agents, including PDGFRα inhibitors, is warranted.     

A Phase II Study of KRN8602(MX2), a Novel Morpholino Anthracycline Derivative,in Patients with Recurrent Malignant Glioma

KRN8602(MX2) is a newly developed morpholino-anthracycline that has been found to cross the blood–brain barrier and be distributed in brain tissue after intravenous administration and to be effective against human glioma cells and the intracerebrally transplanted tumors in vivo. In order to confirm these promising preclinical observations clinically, we performed a phase II trial of KRN8602 in patients with recurrent malignant glioma.The 44 patients enrolled received at least 2 cycles of KRN8602 35mg/m2/day at 3–4 week intervals by intravenous bolus. Of the 44 patients, 37 could be evaluated for response, and 39 for toxicity. One patient with anaplastic astrocytoma had a complete response (1/37, 3%), and 2 patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and 1 with brain stem glioma had a partial response (3/37, 8%). The overall response rate was 11% (4/37). All patients who responded had received prior chemotherapy that included nitrosoureas. No response was observed in the patients with glioblastoma.Myelosuppression was moderately severe, with 72% of patients developing grade 3 or 4 leukopenia. Severe nausea/vomiting was observed in 31% of the patients. No severe cardiotoxicity was observed.The results indicate that KRN8602 has modest activity against recurrent malignant glioma with relatively severe, but manageable toxicity. It seems to be worthwhile to further assess the efficacy and toxicity of KRN8602 against malignant glioma, which is generally less sensitive to chemotherapy.     

Phase II Trial of Topotecan in Malignant Melanoma

Topotecan (S-9-dimethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin hydrochloride SKF 104864-A) is a semisynthetic analog of the alkaloid camptothecin and, similar to the parent compound, a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase I. The cytotoxicity induced by topotecan appears due to interference with the normal breakage reunion reaction of topoisomerase I leading to DNA damage and cell death. Since preclinical studies of topotecan suggested antitumor activity against refractory solid tumors, a phase II trial of the drug was initiated in melanoma patients with recurrent and/or metastatic disease. Topotecan 1.5 mg/m² was given as a daily 30-min infusion for 5 days and repeated every 21-28 days. Seventeen patients were entered into the treatment program with all evaluablefor toxicity but 1 patient, inevaluable for response. There were no objective responses. Toxicity was predominantly severe myelosuppression, which occurred in 12 of 17 (70%) patients. Topotecan in this dose and schedule is inactive in malignant melanoma.     

Phase II Study of Concurrent Continuous Temozolomide (TMZ) and Tamoxifen (TMX) for Recurrent Malignant Astrocytic Gliomas

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of response and toxicity in adults with recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma (AA) or glioblastoma multiforme (GM) treated with concurrent continuous TMZ and TMX. METHODS: In addition to histology, eligibility included age > 18 years, Karnovsky score > or = 60, normal laboratory parameters, no radiotherapy (RT) for 4 weeks, measurable disease and normal EKG. The chief exclusions were: previous TMZ, TMX or dacarbazine (DTIC); nitrosourea within 6 weeks; history of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary emboli. All patients (pts) had received prior RT. TMZ was given at 75 mg/M2/day for 6 weeks, repeated every 10 weeks, maximum 5 cycles. Four pts received 60 mg/M2/day for 6 weeks due to extensive prior chemotherapy exposure. TMX was started at 40 mg twice daily (b.i.d.) for 1 week and then was increased in three successive weeks to 60, then 80, then 100 mg b.i.d. Response was assessed before every cycle with MRI +/- gadolinium (Gd). RESULTS: Sixteen pts enrolled: GM 10, AA 6; female 6, male 10; median age 48 (21-58); prior chemotherapy 7. There was one partial response and one stable disease. Eleven pts progressed by the end of cycle 1; three pts failed due to toxicity before completing cycle 1. Median time to treatment failure was 10 weeks. The main toxicities were: transaminitis, pancytopenia, 1st division herpes zoster, deep vein thrombosis and fatigue. The study was closed due to the low response rate and frequency of toxicity.