Phase I/II study of dianhydrogalactitol in patients with recurrent malignant glioma or progressive secondary brain tumor.

2093 Background: Recurrent glial tumors of the brain continue to be one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, and median survival for patients with recurrent disease is approximately 6 months for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The front-line therapy for GBM - temozolomide (TMZ) - is subject to resistance by DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), leading to poor prognoses for patients with recurrent GBM. Dianhydrogalactitol (VAL-083)is a first-in-class bi-functional N7 DNA alkylating agent shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, accumulate in brain tissue, and have activity against GBM. Studies suggest that VAL-083 overcomes MGMT-driven drug resistance in vitro and targets cancer stem cells. The purpose of this study is to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) of VAL-083 in patients with recurrent GBM or progressive secondary brain tumor, and explore the safety, pharmacokinetics and tumor responses to treatment. Methods: Open-label phase I/II dose-escalation study o...