Treatment Information

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Brain – Glioblastoma Multiforme treatment details. Radiation, Biologic therapy.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:4City/State/Province:Boston, MA
Treatments:Radiation, Biologic therapyHospital:Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Sep 2006

Description:

Patients: This phase II study involved 12 children with newly diagnosed brain stem gliomas and 1 with glioblastoma multiforme. The median age was 6 years old, ranging from 2-14 years old.

Treatment: All patients received radiation therapy followed by thalidomide. Thalidomide is an anti-angiogenic drug.

Toxicity: One grade 4 toxicity occurred (thrombosis). Grade 3 toxicities included lymphopenia, thrombosis, constipation, hydrocephalus, motor neuropathy, infection, abnormal liver function tests, and hypersensitivity. The authors state that ‘there was some suggestion that combining focal radiation and thalidomide was more toxic than treating patients with radiation alone’.

Results: The median survival time was 9 months. No patient completed all the planned thalidomide treatments, and all have died from disease progression.

Support: The costs of data management were supported by Celgene Pharmaceuticals Corporation.

Correspondence: Dr. Christopher Turner





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