Guilford's Wafer Implants Improve Survival of Brain Cancer Patients

BALTIMORE, Md--The results of a phase III double-blind trial ofGuilford Pharmaceutical Inc.'s Gliadel have been published inLancet (April 22, 1995). In patients with malignant brain tumors,6-month median survival rates increased from 23 weeks with placeboto 31 weeks with Gliadel treatment, the company said. For patientswith glioblastoma multiforme, the increase was from 20 weeks to28 weeks, a 55% improvement.

Gliadel is a biodegradable polymer wafer containing carmustinein the polymer matrix. Up to eight wafers are implanted into thecavity created by tumor removal, thus overcoming the limitationsof IV carmustine.

The trial, led by Henry Brem, MD, of Johns Hopkins, involved 222patients at 27 centers.