Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent malignant glioma: analysis of a case series

Oncology. 2007;72(5-6):302-7. doi: 10.1159/000113052. Epub 2008 Jan 14.

Abstract

Background: Recurrent malignant glioma has a dismal prognosis, and therapeutic options are scarce. After previous potentially encouraging reports on liposomal pegylated doxorubicin (PEG-DOX) in this setting, PEG-DOX was applied to patients with recurrent malignant glioma in an institutional series.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis, 49 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma (WHO III, n = 18; WHO IV, n = 31) were treated with PEG-DOX (days 1 and 14/28, 20 mg/m(2), n = 26) alone or in combination with temozolomide (days 1-5/28, 200 mg/m(2), n = 23). The response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival were evaluated.

Results: The rate of progression-free patients at 6 months after initiation of therapy was 27% (WHO III, 33%; WHO IV, 23%). The median overall survival (mOS) after initiation of PEG-DOX (monotherapy and combination therapy) was 8 months (WHO III, 16 months; WHO IV, 7 months). The mOS after initiation of PEG-DOX monotherapy was 8 months, and after initiation of combination therapy, 10 months. Both regimens were well tolerated, with the main side effect being hematologic toxicity (grade 1-2, 8%; grade 3-4, 18%).

Conclusion: These data demonstrate the safety and moderate efficacy of PEG-DOX +/- temozolomide therapy in recurrent malignant glioma. The potential of this nonalkylating chemotherapy should be further explored.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Doxorubicin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Glioma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use*
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • liposomal doxorubicin
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Doxorubicin