Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of 1-(4-amino- 2-methyl-5-pyrimidynyl) methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride (ACNU) of pre-treated procarbazine for elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastomas.
Patients and methods: From January 2004 to March 2005, 7 patients with glioblastoma were enrolled. After maximal surgical resection, patients were treated with two to four cycles of procarbazine (100 mg/m(2) for day 1 to 5), ACNU (80 mg/m(2)/day(1) for day 5), cepharantine (70 mg for day 5 and 12) and vincristine (1.4 mg/m(2) for day 5 and 12).
Results: Significant toxicities of this regimen, including infectious toxicities, are described. Among the 7 patients enrolled, there were 6 patients were died, and one was still alive with disease at 13 months. The 6-month progression-free survival and 1-year overall survival are 29% (95% CI, 16% to 73%) and 29% (95% CI, 16% to 73%), respectively.
Conclusion: The chemotherapy regimen is active but too toxic for elderly patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.