A. A. Brandes

A prospective study on glioblastoma in the elderly

Elderly patients (age > 65 years) with glioblastoma multiforme frequently are excluded from clinical studies, and prospective trials for patients with this age group do not exist to date.

First-line chemotherapy with cisplatin plus fractionated temozolomide in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: a phase II study of the Gruppo Italiano Cooperativo di Neuro-Oncologia

PURPOSEnCisplatin and temozolomide (TMZ) are active in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), with different profiles of toxicity. A bid regimen of TMZ achieves a strong inhibition of O(6)-alkylguanine DNA-alkyl transferase (AGAT), and cisplatin reduces AGAT activity in vitro, suggesting a possible synergic interaction. The primary end point of the present multicenter phase II study was progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (PFS-6); secondary end points included response, toxicity, and overall survival.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnChemotherapy-naive patients with GBM who experienced disease recurrence or progression after surgery and standard radiotherapy were eligible. Chemotherapy cycles consisted of cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 1, TMZ 130 mg/m(2) bolus followed by nine doses of 70 mg/m(2) every 12 hours (total of 5 days) from day 2 every 4 weeks. In the absence of hematologic toxicity, TMZ was escalated to 1,000 mg/m(2) in 5 days.nnnRESULTSnA total of 50 patients (median age, 53.4 years; range, 27 to 70 years; median Karnofsky performance status, 80; range, 60 to 100) were accrued in the study. PFS-6 was 34% (95% CI, 23% to 50%), and PFS-12 was 4% (95% CI, 0.3% to 16%). Median PFS was 18.4 weeks (95% CI, 13 to 25.9 weeks). Among 49 assessable patients, one complete response and nine partial responses were obtained, with an overall response rate of 20.4% (95% CI, 7.7% to 33%). Among 203 treatment cycles delivered, the most common grade 3 or grade 4 events included granulocytopenia in 7.9% of cycles, thrombocytopenia in 4%, and neurologic toxicity in three patients (6%).nnnCONCLUSIONnThe new cisplatin plus bid TMZ regimen appears active in chemotherapy-naive patients with recurrent GBM and incurs an acceptable toxicity.

Chemotherapy in patients with recurrent and progressive central neurocytoma.

Recurrent central neurocytoma is very rare and to the authors knowledge data regarding its response to chemotherapy currently are not available.

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Adrenal Masses in Noncancer Patients Clinicoradiologic and Histologic Correlations in Functioning and Nonfunctioning Tumors

Image‐guided, fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is performed currently in patients with malignant disease who have suspected adrenal metastases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of FNA cytology in patients with incidental adrenal masses and functioning tumors.

Carboplatin and teniposide concurrent with radiotherapy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

The outcome after treatment for glioblastoma remains poor. Therefore, the authors evaluated the long term efficacy and toxicity of treatment with radiotherapy and concurrent carboplatin plus teniposide followed by three cycles of carmustine in patients who underwent resection for glioblastoma.