Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW: RECENT FINDINGS: A critical review of these studies suggests that temozolomide, as currently used, has limited efficacy in treating refractory malignant infiltrative brain tumors, and survival benefit is, at best, a few weeks longer than that with procarbazine. There is enthusiasm about the activity of temozolomide in the treatment of recurrent low-grade gliomas and advanced malignant melanomas. Temozolomide has activity and a favorable safety profile in all dosing schedules tested. Nevertheless, the trials evaluating the efficacy of temozolomide suffer from being uncontrolled, with short follow-up periods. SUMMARY: Despite the advantages of a favorable safety profile and oral administration, temozolomide has yet to realize its initial promise and full potential. Studies of temozolomide combined with novel drug resistance-modifying agents will likely improve disease control while minimizing toxicities, leading to improved survival benefit. Larger, randomized trials comparing temozolomide with standard therapy are needed to confirm the suggested benefit from temozolomide in malignant brain tumors. Temozolomide will continue to be attractive as an agent in the treatment of brain tumors because of its desirable features and safety.
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Authors | R Nagasubramanian, M Eileen Dolan |
Journal | Current opinion in oncology
(Curr Opin Oncol)
Vol. 15
Issue 6
Pg. 412-8
(Nov 2003)
ISSN: 1040-8746 [Print] United States |
PMID | 14624222
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)
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Chemical References |
- Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
- Dacarbazine
- Temozolomide
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Topics |
- Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
(therapeutic use)
- Brain Neoplasms
(drug therapy)
- Central Nervous System Neoplasms
(drug therapy)
- Dacarbazine
(adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
(drug effects)
- Glioma
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Temozolomide
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