Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0017638 (glioma)
 30,880 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In 1985, the EORTC Radiotherapy Co-operative Group launched a randomised phase III study comparing high-dose (59.4 Gy in 6.5 weeks) versus low-dose (45 Gy in 5 weeks) radiotherapy with conventional techniques in patients diagnosed with low-grade cerebral glioma. The primary endpoint of the study was survival. No difference in survival was observed between the two treatment strategies. A quality of life (QoL) questionnaire consisting of 47 items assessing a range of physical, psychological, social, and symptom domains was included in the trial to measure the impact of treatment over time. Patients who received high-dose radiotherapy tended to report lower levels of functioning and more symptom burden following completion of radiotherapy. These group differences were statistically significant for fatigue/malaise and insomnia immediately after radiotherapy and in leisure time and emotional functioning at 7-15 months after randomisation. These findings suggest that for conventional radiotherapy for low-grade cerebral glioma, a schedule of 45 Gy in 5 weeks not only saves valuable resources, but also spares patients a prolonged treatment at no loss of clinical efficacy.
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PMID:Quality of life after radiation therapy of cerebral low-grade gliomas of the adult: results of a randomised phase III trial on dose response (EORTC trial 22844). EORTC Radiotherapy Co-operative Group. 1002 13

We use the ultrasonic surgical system in the treatment of brain tumors such as meningioma, neurinoma, glioma, etc. SONOPET is a useful and safe ultrasonic surgical system for microsurgery. The outer diameter of the tip of ultrasonic surgical systems is usually 2.5 mm and the inner diameter 2.0 mm. However, the outer diameter of the SONOPET is 1.9 mm and the inner diameter 1.5 mm. Even in a deep site, because of the small diameter tip, the operation can be done easily. Further, the very thin outer diameter of the tip flue, 5 mm, makes it easy to operate in the deep site. The maximum amplitude of the distal end tip, which can be an important factor in tissue fragmentation, is 240 microns. It is said that the thinner tip breaks down easily, but by reducing metal fatigue the lifetime of the tip is longer and a larger amplitude can be obtained. As a result, hard tissue fragmentation becomes available even with a thinner tip. The handpiece is very light in weight, approximately 110 g, helping to reduce operator fatigue when in long term use. The weight is approximately one-half of conventional types. Because of the high efficiency of the electricity/vibration energy conversion rate, the handpiece does not heat up during the operation. Also, since water cooling is not necessary, the procedures before and after use are simple. Changing the handpiece during the operation is also easy.
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PMID:Ultrasonic surgical system (SONOPET) for microsurgical removal of brain tumors. 1093 22

In addition to immunomodulatory and cytokine-modulatory properties, thalidomide has antiangiogenic activity. It has been investigated in a number of cancers including multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, gliomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, advanced breast cancer, and colon cancer. Its role has been best explored in myeloma, where, at daily doses of 100 to 800 mg, it is remarkably active, causing clinically meaningful responses in one-third of extensively pretreated patients and in over half of patients treated early in the course of the disease. It also acts synergistically with corticosteroids and chemotherapy in myeloma. Thalidomide produces improvement of cytopenias characteristic of myelodysplastic syndrome, resulting in the reduction or elimination of transfusion dependence in some patients. Responses have also been seen in one-third of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, in a small proportion of patients with renal cell carcinoma and high grade glioma and, in combination with irinotecan, in some patients with colon cancer. Thalidomide is being investigated currently in a number of clinical trials for cancer. Drowsiness, constipation and fatigue are common adverse effects seen in 75% of patients. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and skin rash are seen in 30%. A minority of patients experience bradycardia and thrombotic phenomena. Despite the high frequency of adverse effects, those severe enough to necessitate cessation of therapy are seen in only 10 to 15% of patients. A therapeutic trial of thalidomide should be considered in all patients with myeloma who are unresponsive to or relapse after standard therapy. In other malignant diseases, the most appropriate way to use the drug is in the setting of well designed clinical trials. In the absence of access to such studies, thalidomide could be considered singly or in combination with standard therapy in patients with no meaningful therapeutic options.
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PMID:Thalidomide in cancer: potential uses and limitations. 1143 82

Thalidomide has immunomodulatory and anti-angiogenic properties which may underlie its activity in cancer. After its success in myeloma, it has been investigated in other plasma cell dyscrasias, myelodysplastic syndromes, gliomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, advanced breast cancer, and colon cancer. Thalidomide causes responses in 30-50% of myeloma patients as a single agent, and acts synergistically with corticosteroids and chemotherapy. Thalidomide results in the reduction or elimination of transfusion-dependence in some patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Responses have also been seen in one-third of patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, in a small proportion of patients with renal cell carcinoma and high-grade glioma, and in some patients with colon cancer in combination with irinotecan. The drug is being investigated currently in a number of clinical trials for cancer. Drowsiness, constipation, and fatigue are common side effects, whereas peripheral neuropathy and skin rash are seen in one-third. A minority of patients experience bradycardia. Thrombotic phenomena are especially common when thalidomide is combined with chemotherapy. Adverse effects severe enough to necessitate cessation of therapy are seen in around 20% of patients. A therapeutic trial of thalidomide is essential in all patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. In other cancers, the best way to use the drug is in the setting of clinical trials. In the absence of access to studies or alternative therapeutic options, thalidomide could be considered singly or in combination with standard therapy.
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PMID:Thalidomide in cancer. 1190 8

This phase II study in recurrent high-grade glioma evaluated the response rate, toxicities, and time to treatment failure of high-dose carboplatin modulated by a 24-h infusion of thymidine (75 g/m(2)). The trial was based on preclinical data and a prior phase I study ( J. Clin. Oncol. 17, 2922-2931, 1999); a phase II recurrent high-grade glioma study was initiated in July of 1998. Thymidine was given over 24 h; carboplatin was given over 20 min at hour 20 of the thymidine infusion. The starting dose of carboplatin had a value of 7 for the area under the curve (AUC), with allowance for dose escalation of 1 AUC unit per cycle if grade 2 toxicity was observed. Treatment cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. Accrual as of September 1999 was 45 patients [4 were unevaluable]: 76% with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 20% with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, 2% with mixed type, and 2% with anaplastic astrocytoma. Most patients had prior chemotherapy (78%). As observed in the earlier phase I study (in which carboplatin pharmacokinetics were unaltered by thymidine or antiseizure medications), thymidine was myeloprotective, resulting in a minimal need for dose reduction for patients having a >2 grade toxicity (in only 4% of the courses of treatment). Of 101 total courses, the number of courses (at the AUCs) was 3 (5), 4 (6), 58 (7), 20 (8), 11 (9), and 5 (10). Grade 3 nonhematologic toxicities included headache (4%), altered consciousness (3%), fatigue (1%), and nausea (3%). Responses included 2 partial (1 oligodendroglioma, 1 GBM; 5%); 3 minor (1 anaplastic astrocytoma, 2 GBM; 7.3%); 6 stable disease (14.6%); and 30 progressive disease (73.2%). For GBM patients, median survival was 23 weeks (with a 95% confidence interval of 20 to 50 weeks), and progression-free survival was 8 weeks (with a 95% confidence interval of 7-16 weeks). These results in GBM were comparable to other phase II GBM trials and thus do not represent a therapeutic advance in the treatment of GBM. Taken collectively, however, results are consistent with continued investigation of thymidine in combination with chemotherapeutic agents for high-grade glioma and other malignant diseases. The significant myeloprotection afforded by thymidine may have particular relevance to polychemotherapeutic regimens.
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PMID:A phase II trial of thymidine and carboplatin for recurrent malignant glioma: a North American Brain Tumor Consortium Study. 1191 2

Patients with suprasellar lesions develop profound hypothalamic obesity and listlessness with no effective treatment. We added triiodothyronine (T(3)) supplementation in 3 such patients and present their response. All had previous nutritional counseling without benefit. All were treated for diabetes insipidus (DI) and hypopituitarism; serum free thyroxine (T(4)) level was normal. A 24-year-old woman (pineal tumor and astrocytoma) had weight gain (4.7 kg/yr for 3 years), cold intolerance, fatigue, dry skin, and constipation; after T(3), she lost 14 kg over 27 months and reported overall improvement. Her bone mineral density also improved. A 10.6-year-old boy (optic glioma) was gaining 6 kg/yr for 4 years; after T(3) supplement, he lost 4.3 kg over 11 months. A 12-year-old girl (mixed germ cell tumor) had weight gain (8.3 kg/yr for 3 years) and listlessness; after T(3), she lost 8.1 kg over 16 months and had improved alertness. All patients were asymptomatic despite supraphysiologic T(3) levels. We suggest that T(3) may serve as a simple and effective supplement, which can promote weight loss and improve the well being of these patients with hypothalamic obesity.
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PMID:Triiodothyronine supplementation for hypothalamic obesity. 1240 83

We studied the activity of T138067-sodium in patients with malignant gliomas. T138067-sodium is a unique new chemotherapy agent that inhibits microtubule formation by binding irreversibly and specifically to beta(1), beta(2)and beta(4) isotypes of 3-tubulin, causing cell arrest at G(2)/M and inducing apoptosis. Patients with recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme were treated intravenously with 330 mg/m(2) of T138067-sodium weekly. Treatment was continued until the patient experienced either unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease. Patients had to have histologically proven glioma, have bidimensionally measurable disease at least 1 cm x 1 cm, and have received no more than one prior adjuvant chemotherapy. No chemotherapy or radiotherapy for recurrent disease was permitted. Nineteen patients entered the trial. One patient was found to be ineligible. There were two patients with anaplastic astrocytoma and 16 with glioblastoma multiforme. Only two patients had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy. The first seven patients had full pharmacokinetic sampling. No dose-limiting toxicity was seen, and pharmacokinetic results were consistent with those from nonglioma patients. The most common drug-related effects were fatigue (33%), nausea (28%), neutropenia (28%), and anorexia (17%). No patients stopped the study because of toxicity. No responses were seen in the 15 eligible patients who completed at least one cycle. Three patients had stable disease with a median duration of 2.6 months. Our results suggest that given in this dose and schedule T138067-sodium does not have activity in this population of anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme.
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PMID:Phase 2 study of T138067-sodium in patients with malignant glioma: Trial of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. 1583 Dec 36

The purpose of this study was to define the maximum tolerated dose of erlotinib and characterize its pharmaco-kinetics and safety profile, alone and with temozolomide, with and without enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs), in patients with malignant gliomas. Patients with stable or progressive malignant primary glioma received erlotinib alone or combined with temozolomide in this dose-escalation study. In each treatment group, patients were stratified by coadministration of EIAEDs. Erlotinib was started at 100 mg orally once daily as a 28-day treatment cycle, with dose escalation by 50 mg/day up to 500 mg/day. Temozolomide was administered at 150 mg/m2 for five consecutive days every 28 days, with dose escalation up to 200 mg/m2 at the second cycle. Eightythree patients were evaluated. Rash, fatigue, and diarrhea were the most common adverse events and were generally mild to moderate. The recommended phase 2 dose of erlotinib is 200 mg/day for patients with glioblastoma multiforme who are not receiving an EIAED, 450 mg/day for those receiving temozolomide plus erlotinib with an EIAED, and at least 500 mg/day for those receiving erlotinib alone with an EIAED. Of the 57 patients evaluable for response, eight had a partial response (PR). Six of the 57 patients had a progression-free survival of longer than six months, including four patients with a PR. Coadministration of EIAEDs reduced exposure to erlotinib as compared with administration of erlotinib alone (33%-71% reduction). There was a modest pharmacokinetic interaction between erlotinib and temozolomide. The favorable tolerability profile and evidence of antitumor activity indicate that further investigation of erlotinib is warranted.
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PMID:Phase 1 study of erlotinib HCl alone and combined with temozolomide in patients with stable or recurrent malignant glioma. 1644 50

CPT-11 is a potent inhibitor of topoisomerase I and has shown antitumor activity in brain xenografts and in clinical trials in recurrent/progressive malignant glioma. VM-26 and VP-16 are topoisomerase II inhibitors and have also shown activity in phase II trials. We performed a phase II trial of intravenous CPT-11 (125 mg/m2) followed 24 h later by VM-26 (125 mg/m2). VP-16 (125 mg/m2) was later substituted for VM-26 due to drug shortage. For patients on anticonvulsants, the starting dose for all drugs was 150 mg/m2. Drugs were given weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1-week rest. Twenty-five patients were entered into the study. Three patients (12%) had improvement in CAT/MRI brain scans (95% confidence interval 3-31%). Fatigue and myelosuppression, mainly leukopenia, were the main toxicities. This combination of the topoisomerase I inhibitor CPT-11 followed by the topoisomerase II inhibitor, VM-26 or VP-16, has shown modest antitumor activity comparable to that reported for each drug singly. Myelosuppression is the main toxicity when topoisomerase I and II inhibitors are combined together.
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PMID:Clinical trial of CPT-11 and VM-26/VP-16 for patients with recurrent malignant brain tumors. 1705 17

Atrasentan is an oral selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist that may inhibit cell proliferation and interfere with angiogenesis during glioma growth. We conducted a dose-finding study to assess atrasentan's safety and toxicity and to gather preliminary evidence of efficacy. Patients with recurrent malignant glioma received oral atrasentan at >or=10 mg/day. We increased the dose among cohorts until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was defined. Patients were evaluated for response every 8 weeks and remained on the study until the tumor progressed or toxicities occurred. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, with a median age of 53 years (range, 25-70) and a median KPS of 90% (range, 60-100%). Twenty-two patients had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), 2 had anaplastic astrocytoma, and 1 had an anaplastic oliogodendroglioma; 24 patients had received one prior chemo therapy regimen before being enrolled in the study. The most common atrasentan-related toxicities were grade 1 or 2 rhinitis, fatigue, and edema. One patient developed grade 3 hypoxia and peripheral edema at a dose of 90 mg/day. We observed no dose-limiting toxicities in an expanded cohort of 10 patients at 70 mg/day, which was declared the MTD. Two partial responses (8%) were seen in patients with GBM at the 70- and 90-mg/day dose levels, and 4 patients had stable disease before progressing. Nineteen patients have died, and median survival was 6.0 months (95% confidence interval, 4.2-9.5 months). We conclude that the MTD of daily oral atrasentan in patients with recurrent malignant glioma is 70 mg/day. Further study of atrasentan with radiation therapy and temozolomide in newly diagnosed GBM is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of this novel agent.
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PMID:Phase I safety study of escalating doses of atrasentan in adults with recurrent malignant glioma. 1847 65


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