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Topotecan in combination with radiotherapy in unresectable glioblastoma: a phase 2 study

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Abstract

Improving glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment with radio-chemotherapy remains a challenge. Topotecan is an attractive option as it exhibits growth inhibition of human glioma as well as brain penetration. The present study assessed the combination of radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fractions/40 days) and topotecan (0.9 mg/m2/day on days 1–5 on weeks 1, 3 and 5) in 50 adults with histologically proven and untreated GBM. The incidence of non-hematological toxicities was low and grade 3–4 hematological toxicities were reported in 20 patients (mainly lymphopenia and neutropenia). Partial response and stabilization rates were 2% and 32%, respectively, with an overall time to progression of 12 weeks. One-year overall survival (OS) rate was 42%, with a median OS of 40 weeks. Topotecan in combination with radiotherapy was well tolerated. However, while response and stabilization concerned one-third of the patients, the study did not show increased benefits in terms of survival in patients with unresectable GBM.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to GlaxoSmithKline, Marly-Le-Roi, France, for providing the Topotecan and for logistic assistance, and to Biotrial, Rennes, France, for their contribution to the realization of the study. The authors wish to thank Hervé Bismut who provided editorial assistance in the preparation of the manuscript

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Eugène Marquis, CS44229, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France

    Thierry Lesimple, Mohamed Ben Hassel & Daniel Gédouin

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France

    Laurent Riffaud, Abderrahmane Hamlat & Yvon Guégan

  3. Department of Neuro-Oncology, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France

    Didier Frappaz

  4. Department of Radiotherapy, Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France

    Mohamed Ben Hassel

  5. Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Jean Perrin, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Jacques-Olivier Bay

  6. Department of Medical Oncology, CHU Bretonneau, Tours, France

    Claude Linassier

  7. Oncology Unit, Clinique Les Ormeaux, Le Havre, France

    Gilles Piot

  8. Department of Medical Oncology, Centre Val d’Aurelle, Montpellier, France

    Michel Fabbro

  9. Neuropathology Unit, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France

    Stéphan Saïkali

  10. Neuroradiology Unit, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France

    Béatrice Carsin

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  1. Thierry Lesimple
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Correspondence to Thierry Lesimple.

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Lesimple, T., Riffaud, L., Frappaz, D. et al. Topotecan in combination with radiotherapy in unresectable glioblastoma: a phase 2 study. J Neurooncol 93, 253–260 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9774-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-008-9774-3

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