Chemotherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: ifosfamide versus temozolomide

Purpose: Despite the progress made in neurosurgery and radiotherapy, the prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme (GB) is poor, due to the lack of an effective salvage therapy. In vitro analysis revealed activity for ifosfamide and temozolomide. The usefulness of these agents in recurrent disease was investigated. Methods: Six adult patients with recurrent GB received one to four courses of 1,500 mg/m² ifosfamide given over 5 days intravenously. Furthermore, temozolomide (100–200 mg/m²) was given orally over 5 days to 14 patients. Results: After ifosfamide treatment, one partial response and two cases of stable disease were observed. The median survival time was 24 weeks (range of 9–52 weeks). Toxicity analysis revealed one paranoid reaction, three grade III leukocytopenia, and one grade I–II nausea, anemia, and hematuria. Temozolomide therapy resulted in three partial responses and four cases of stable disease. The median survival time (Kaplan-Meier) was 21 weeks (range 4–64 weeks). The major toxicities were grade I–II nausea and hematological side effects (one case of grade IV leuko- and thrombocytopenia). Conclusions: Ifosfamide treatment might be a feasible approach, but it necessitates hospitalization. Temozolomide showed promising results. Due to its oral application, the patient's quality of life (time out of hospital) is favorable. Subgroups with improved survival were observed. Received: 7 December 1998 / Accepted: 21 January 1999