[Temozolomide in patients with melanoma brain metastases treated with whole brain irradiation].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Whole brain irradiation (WBRT) remains a recommended treatment for patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma. Temozolomide (TMZ) displays efficacy for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Our objective was to evaluate the potential benefit of TMZ administered along with WBRT.

PATIENTS AND METHOD:

We have conducted a retrospective study in a group of 26 patients comparing WBRT (n = 10) (20 Gy/5 fr) with WBRT+TMZ (n = 16) administered as a single chemotherapeutic agent (200 mg/m2) or in combination with chemoimmunotherapy (150 mg/m2).

RESULTS:

The median survival of the total group (n = 26) was 3 months (CI 95%, 2-4 months). The median survival of the WBRT+TMZ group was 6 months (CI 95%, 0-12 months), while the median survival of the WBRT group was 1 month (CI 95%, 1-2 months) (p < 0.0001). The analysis of survival at different time intervals (90, 180 and 270 days) showed a clear benefit for the group treated with WBRT + TMZ (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggests a benefit of TMZ added to WBRT in terms of long-term survival for patients with melanoma brain metastases.

• Authors: Carlos Conill, Jaime Fernández-Ibiza, Josep Malvehy, Susana Puig, Marcelo Sánchez, Teresa Castel
• Journal: Medicina clinica (Med Clin (Barc)) Vol. 122 Issue 11 Pg. 413-5 (Mar 27 2004) ISSN: 0025-7753 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Temozolomida en pacientes con metástasis cerebrales de melanoma tratados con irradiación holocraneal.
• PMID: 15066248 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
• Dacarbazine
• Temozolomide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating (therapeutic use)
• Brain Neoplasms (drug therapy, mortality, radiotherapy, secondary)
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Dacarbazine (analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Melanoma (drug therapy, mortality, radiotherapy, secondary)
• Middle Aged
• Retrospective Studies
• Survival Rate
• Temozolomide