Phase I evaluation of radiation combined with recombinant interferon alpha-2a and BCNU for patients with high-grade glioma

S. Vincent Rajkumar, Jan C. Buckner, Paula J. Schomberg, Terrence L. Cascino, Patrick A. Burch, Robert P. Dinapoli

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: A Phase I study to determine the safety, toxicity, and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of carmustine (BCNU) and interferon alpha-2a (IFN-a) when combined with radiation as initial therapy in high-grade glioma. Methods and Materials: Patients with newly diagnosed Grade 3 or 4 astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma, or gliosarcoma were enrolled after surgery. All received radiation therapy to the brain (64.8 Gy/36 fractions), combined with a single dose of BCNU (200 mg/m2) at the start of radiation. Chemotherapy after completing radiation consisted of BCNU 150 mg/m2 once every 7 weeks, and IFN-a 12 x 106 units/m2 subcutaneously Days 1-3 each week of a 7-week cycle. Subsequent dose modification was based on constitutional symptoms for IFN-a and on myelosuppression for BCNU. Results: Fifteen patients were entered on the study. Four were excluded because they did not receive IFN-a (3 refused treatment and 1 patient left the study due to multiple medical problems). Eleven were evaluable for toxicity and efficacy. Nonhematological toxicity, mainly lethargy and flu-like symptoms, were dose-limiting for IFN- a. After the first 6 patients were treated per the initial protocol, the frequency of IFN-a administration was decreased to Days 1-3 on weeks 1, 3, and 5 of the 7-week cycle for 5 additional patients. Lethargy, fever, chills, myalgias, alopecia, and anorexia occurred in all patients. Other toxicities included nausea and vomiting (91%), central-nervous-system depression or mood changes (64%), headaches (55%), and elevation of liver enzymes (36%). Grade 3-4 leukopenia occurred in 4 (45%) of 11 patients, and Grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in 3 (27%) of 11 patients. Due to myelosuppressive effects, BCNU dose was not escalated. Median survival of the cohort was 44 months. Objective responses occurred in 5 (56%) of 9 patients and median duration of response was 33 months. The MTD of this combination after radiation therapy is IFN-a 12 x 106 units/m2 Days 1-3, on Weeks 1, 3, and 5 of a 7-week cycle and BCNU 150 mg/m2 Day 1, every 7 weeks. Conclusions: Treatment with radiation, IFN-a, and BCNU is feasible and effective in patients with high- grade gliomas, although constitutional symptoms from IFN-a are substantial.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)297-302
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
Volume40
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 1998

Keywords

  • Brain tumors
  • Chemotherapy
  • Interferons

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cancer Research

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