Temozolomide in Mixed Gliomas: Cedars-Sinai Study

LOS ANGELES—Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute are conducting a clinical trial of temozolomide (Temodar) in patients with mixed gliomas or oligodendroglial tumors. They expect to enroll about 60 patients over a 30-month period.

According to Paul Zeltzer, MD, lead investigator, when mixed glioma brain tumors are treated with procarbazine, CCNU, and vin-cristine (PCV) after surgery and radiotherapy, 7-year survival rates are 50% to 70%. However, longer-term survival rates remain low, since the tumors tend to return.

The researchers hope that by treating newly diagnosed patients first with temozolomide, then with PCV, tumor growth will be arrested earlier and recurrence rates will be reduced. Patients will receive temozolomide capsules daily for 6 weeks, followed by a 4-week rest period. Cycles may be repeated once, depending on tumor response. For information, call the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute at 310-423-7900.