Long-term survival of patients with glioblastoma treated with radiotherapy and lomustine plus temozolomide

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate long-term survival in a prospective series of patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma and treated with a combination of lomustine (CCNU), temozolomide (TMZ), and radiotherapy. Patients and Methods Thirty-nine patients received radiotherapy of the tumor site only (60 Gy) and CCNU/TMZ chemotherapy (n = 31 received standard-dose CCNU, 100 mg/m2 on day 1 and TMZ 100 mg/m2/d on days 2 to 6; n = 8 received intensified-dose CCNU 110 mg/m2 on day 1 and TMZ 150 mg/m2 on days 2 to 6) for up to six courses. Results In the whole cohort, the median overall survival (mOS) was 23.1 months; 47.4% survived for 2 years, and 18.5% survived for 4 years. After a median follow-up of 41.5 months, mOS had not been reached in the intensified group and was significantly higher than in the standard group (22.6 months; P = .024). In the intensified group, four of eight patients survived for at least 56 months, two of them without recurrence. O6- methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promotor methylation in the tumor tissue was associated with significantly longer mOS (methylated, 34.3 months v nonmethylated, 12.5 months). A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model revealed MGMT status (methylated vnonmethylated; relative risk [RR] of death, 0.43; P = .003) and chemotherapy dose (intensified v standard; RR, 0.37; P= .012) as independent prognostic factors. WHO grade 4 hematoxicity was observed more frequently in the intensified group (57% v 16%). Conclusion The combination of radiotherapy, CCNU, and TMZ yielded promising long-term survival data in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Intensification of CCNU/TMZ chemotherapy may add an additional survival benefit, albeit with greater acute toxicity. Copyright © 2009 by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.