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Hypofractionated radiation therapy versus chemotherapy with temozolomide in patients affected by RPA class V and VI glioblastoma: a randomized phase II trial

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Abstract

Introduction

In RPA V-VI glioblastoma patients both hypofractionated radiotherapy and exclusive temozolomide can be used; the purpose of this trial is to compare these treatment regimens in terms of survival and quality of life.

Methods

Patients with histologic diagnosis of glioblastoma were randomized to hypofractionated radiotherapy (RT–30 Gy in 6 fractions) and exclusive chemotherapy (CHT–emozolomide 200 mg/m2/day 5 days every 28 days). Overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were evaluated with Kaplan Maier curves and correlated with prognostic factors. Quality- adjusted survival (QaS) was evaluated according to the Murray model (Neurological Sign and Symptoms–NSS)

Results

From 2010 to 2015, 31 pts were enrolled (CHT: 17 pts; RT: 14pts). Four pts were excluded from the analysis. RPA VI (p = 0.048) and absence of MGMT methylation (p = 0.001) worsened OS significantly. Biopsy (p = 0.048), RPA class VI (p = 0.04) and chemotherapy (p = 0.007) worsened PFS. In the two arms the initial NSS scores were overlapping (CHT: 12.23 and RT: 12.30) and progressively decreased in both group and became significantly worse after 5 months in CHT arm (p = 0.05). Median QaS was 104 days and was significantly better in RT arm (p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The data obtained are limited by the poor accrual. Both treatments were well tolerated. Patients in RT arm have a better PFS and QaS, without significant differences in OS. The deterioration of the NSS score would seem an important parameter and coincide with disease progression rather than with the toxicity of the treatment.

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Acknowledgements

On behalf of Brain Study Group of the Italian Association of Radiation Oncology (AIRO).

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Correspondence to Luca Triggiani.

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Al the authors declared that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Pedretti, S., Masini, L., Turco, E. et al. Hypofractionated radiation therapy versus chemotherapy with temozolomide in patients affected by RPA class V and VI glioblastoma: a randomized phase II trial. J Neurooncol 143, 447–455 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11060-019-03175-2

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