TMZ and PCV in unresectable high grade gliomas: a retrospective comparison between two common schedules

1580 Backgrond: Treatment of unresectable high grade gliomas still remains a controversal item. After surgery and radiotherapy, chemotherapy is the only chance for these patients (pts) even though benefits are unclear in spite of significant side effects. In this retrospective study we compared in terms of response rate, toxicity, time to progression and survival two regimens commonly used in this setting. Methods: We evaluated 52 pts, 31 male and 18 female; median age was 46 years (range 21–71). Sixteen of them had histologic diagnosis of anaplastic astrocytoma (AA), 14 of glioblastoma multiforme (GM) and 19 of oligodendroglioma (ODG). PS ECOG was 0 to 3. Thirtyone pts received temozolomide (TMZ) p.o. 200 mg/m2, days 1 to 5 every 28; 18 received chemotherapy according to PCV schedule (Lomustine 110 mg/m2 p.o. day 1, Procarbazine 60 mg/m2 p.o. days 2 to 8, Vincristine 1,4 mg/m2 i.v. days 8 and 29). Treatment was interrupted in case of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: We observed no c...