Temozolomide chemotherapy for oligodendroglial tumors

Abstract

Abstract Oligodendrogliomas are relatively uncommon primary brain tumors that comprise roughly 4%–15% of all gliomas, and are typically classified as grade II or grade III by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the modern era, most oligodendroglial tumors that require chemotherapy will be treated with temozolomide or the combination regimen procarbazine, 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU), and vincristine (PCV). In this chapter, we will review the extensive literature that is available for the use of Temozolomide for newly diagnosed and recurrent low-grade oligodendrogliomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. There is definite evidence for the activity of Temozolomide in this tumor type, including patients who can have objective responses on neuro-imaging follow-up, as well as extended progression-free and overall survival.