A pilot protocol to treat recurrent glioblastoma was developed using fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery with concurrent intravenous Taxol as a radiation sensitizer.
Methods: The treatment outcome was analyzed in two groups of patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Group 1 was analyzed retrospectively, and consisted of 9 patients with a median tumor volume of 9.2 cm3 treated with single-fraction stereotactic radiosurgery alone (mean radiation dose of 19.2 Gy). In group 2, prospectively analyzed, were 14 patients treated with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and concurrent Taxol.
Results: The median survival in group 2 was 14.2 months versus 6.3 months in group 1 (p < 0.04). One-year survival for patients who received fractionated radiotherapy with Taxol was 50% compared to 11% for those treated with single-fraction radiotherapy only (p = 0.05).
Conclusions: Survival for group 2 patients was significantly better compared to those treated with single-fraction radiotherapy alone. These data should stimulate the investigation of both fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy and the development of radiation sensitizers to further enhance treatment.