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1: Br J Cancer. 2000 Sep;83(5):588-93.Click here to read Links

A phase II study of temozolomide vs. procarbazine in patients with glioblastoma multiforme at first relapse.

Department of Neuro-Oncology, UTMD Anderson Cancer Center, Box 100, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA.

A randomized, multicentre, open-label, phase II study compared temozolomide (TMZ), an oral second-generation alkylating agent, and procarbazine (PCB) in 225 patients with glioblastoma multiforme at first relapse. Primary objectives were to determine progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and safety for TMZ and PCB in adult patients who failed conventional treatment. Secondary objectives were to assess overall survival and health-related quality of life (HRQL). TMZ was given orally at 200 mg/m(2)/day or 150 mg/m(2)/day (prior chemotherapy) for 5 days, repeated every 28 days. PCB was given orally at 150 mg/m(2)/day or 125 mg/m(2)/day (prior chemotherapy) for 28 days, repeated every 56 days. HRQL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30 [+3]) and the Brain Cancer Module 20 (BCM20). The 6-month PFS rate for patients who received TMZ was 21%, which met the protocol objective. The 6-month PFS rate for those who received PCB was 8% (P = 0.008, for the comparison). Overall PFS significantly improved with TMZ, with a median PFS of 12.4 weeks in the TMZ group and 8.32 weeks in the PCB group (P = 0.0063). The 6-month overall survival rate for TMZ patients was 60% vs. 44% for PCB patients (P = 0.019). Freedom from disease progression was associated with maintenance of HRQL, regardless of treatment received. TMZ had an acceptable safety profile; most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Copyright 2000 Cancer Research Campaign.

PMID: 10944597 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Patient Drug Information

  • Procarbazine (Matulane® )

    Your doctor has ordered the drug procarbazine to help treat your illness. The drug is taken by mouth with capsules.

  • Dacarbazine (DTIC-Dome® )

    Your doctor has ordered the drug dacarbazine to help treat your illness. The drug is given by injection into a vein.

  • Temozolomide (Temodar® )

    Your doctor has ordered the drug temozolomide to help treat your illness. This medication is used to treat brain tumors (astrocytoma). The drug is taken by mouth in capsule form. Your full dose may contain two or more di...