Extended adjuvant temozolamide as prognostic factor of longer overall and progression-free survival in glioblastoma multiforme

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumour, has significant morbi-mortality. The aim is to determine prognostic factors (PF) of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with Stupp protocol.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of GBM patients ≥18 years, diagnosed from March 2004 to December 2014, treated with radiotherapy (RT) plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (aTMZ). OS and PFS were assessed by Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis (MA) was performed using Cox regression.

Results

A total of 213 patients completed concomitant TMZ-RT and were included in final analysis. Majority were males (n = 134), with median age of 61 years old (24-84) and 43.1% ECOG performance status 0. Gross total resection (GTR) was possible in 46.9%, partial resection in 33.3% and stereotactic biopsy (SB) in 19.7%. 197 patients proceeded to aTMZ: 107 suspended

Conclusions

Our results suggest an OS and PFS benefit of extended aTMZ beyond standard 6 cycles, with stronger impact in OS with >12 cycles. The retrospective study design limits conclusions and further validation is necessary in prospective randomized studies.

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

N/A

Funding

N/A

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.