Intra-arterial bromodeoxyuridine radiosensitization of malignant gliomas.

Abstract

In the 1950's it was first observed that mammalian cells exposed to the halogenated deoxyuridines were more sensitive to ultraviolet light and radiation than untreated cells. This prompted early clinical trials with bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) which showed mixed results. More recently, several Phase I studies, while establishing the feasibility of continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of BUdR, have reported significant dose limiting skin and bone marrow toxicities and have questioned the optimal method of BUdR delivery. To exploit the high mitotic activity of malignant gliomas relative to surrounding normal brain tissue, we have developed a permanently implantable infusion pump system for safe, continuous intraarterial (IA) internal carotid BUdR delivery. Since July 1985, 23 patients with malignant brain tumors (18 grade 4, 5 grade 3) have been treated in a Phase I clinical trial using IA BUdR (400-600 mg/m2/day X 8 1/2 weeks) and focal external beam radiotherapy (59.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy/day in 6 1/2 weeks). Following initial biopsy/surgery the infusion pump system was implanted; BUdR infusion began 2 weeks prior to and continued throughout the 6 1/2 week course of radiotherapy. There have been no vascular complications. Side-effects in all patients have included varying degrees of anorexia, fatigue, ipsilateral forehead dermatitis, blepharitis, and conjunctivitis. Myelosuppression requiring dose reduction occurred in one patient. An overall Kaplan-Meier estimated median survival of 20 months has been achieved. As in larger controlled series, histologic grade and age are prognostically significant. We have shown in a Phase I study that IA BUdR radiosensitization is safe, tolerable, may lead to improved survival, and appears to be an efficacious primary treatment of malignant gliomas.

• Authors: T J Hegarty, A F Thornton, R F Diaz, W F Chandler, W D Ensminger, L Junck, M A Page, S S Gebarski, T W Hood, P L Stetson
• Journal: International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics (Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys) Vol. 19 Issue 2 Pg. 421-8 (Aug 1990) ISSN: 0360-3016 [Print] United States
• PMID: 2168357 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents
• Bromodeoxyuridine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Astrocytoma (drug therapy, epidemiology, radiotherapy)
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy, epidemiology, radiotherapy)
• Bromodeoxyuridine (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Female
• Glioblastoma (drug therapy, radiotherapy)
• Humans
• Infusion Pumps
• Infusions, Intra-Arterial
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Radiation-Sensitizing Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Survival Analysis
• United States (epidemiology)