Efficacy of single-bolus vs. frequent low-dose treatment with nitrosourea in experimental gliomas.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Malignant glioma remains a fatal disease. Continuous or frequent low-dose (FLD) chemotherapy with nitrosoureas reportedly causes fewer side-effects than single-bolus therapy without decreasing the antitumour effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To study the effect of FLD treatment with nimustine (ACNU) in rats with glioma, we intracerebrally inoculated with C6 glioma cells. We began the ACNU treatment 5 or 8 days later (total dose, 25 or 40 mg/kg) i.p. as either one bolus or smaller doses spread over 5 days week.

RESULTS:

At a total dose of 25 mg/kg beginning at day 8, survival duration did not differ between untreated controls and the FLD group, while the bolus significantly prolonged survival; the FLD group showed some improvement beyond control survival at 40 mg/kg (each p <0.001). Beginning treatment after 5 rather than 8 days prolonged survival somewhat further.

CONCLUSION:

FLD treatment with ACNU is less effective against experimental glioma in rats than bolus treatment.

• Authors: C M Wu, T Inamura, K Ikezaki, A Nakamizo, S Inoha, F Yaosaka, M Fukui
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2001 May-Jun Vol. 21 Issue 3B Pg. 1835-8 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 11497267 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Nimustine

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Glioma (drug therapy)
• Male
• Neoplasm Transplantation
• Nimustine (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Time Factors