Purpose: Standard, intravenous chemotherapy regimens for neuroendocrine tumors have been associated with limited response rates and significant toxicity. We evaluated the efficacy of an oral regimen of temozolomide and thalidomide in patients with metastatic carcinoid, pheochromocytoma, or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Patients and methods: Twenty-nine patients were treated with a combination of temozolomide, administered at a dose of 150 mg/m2 for 7 days, every other week, and thalidomide at doses of 50 to 400 mg daily. Patients were followed for evidence of toxicity, biochemical response, radiologic response, and survival.
Results: Treatment with temozolomide and thalidomide was associated with an objective biochemical (chromogranin A) response rate of 40%, and a radiologic response rate of 25% (45% among pancreatic endocrine tumors, 33% among pheochromocytomas, and 7% among carcinoid tumors). The median duration of response was 13.5 months, 1-year survival was 79%, and 2-year survival was 61%. The median administered dose of temozolomide was 150 mg/m(2), and the median administered dose of thalidomide was 100 mg daily. Grade 3-4 toxicities were uncommon, with the exception of grade 3-4 lymphopenia, which developed in 69% of the patient population. Opportunistic infections occurred in three patients (10%) during the time of lymphopenia, and included single cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, disseminated varicella zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus.
Conclusion: Orally administered temozolomide and thalidomide seems to be an active regimen for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors. In this 29-patient study, this regimen appeared more active in pancreatic endocrine tumors than in carcinoid tumors.