Combination of GleevecR and HydreaR Offers Promise for Glioblastoma Multiforme

[Guest guest]

Glioblastoma Multiforme is a very aggressive form of brain cancer with a

very poor prognosis for patients. I think some members of this list and the

other list had been asking if IM works on this type of cancer. The results

of this study seem really promising.

Best,

Cheryl-Anne

Combination of GleevecR and HydreaR Offers Promise for Glioblastoma

Multiforme

According to a study published in the ls of Oncology, treatment of

progressive glioblastoma multiforme with imatinib (GleevecR) and hydroxyurea

(HydreaR) was well tolerated and resulted in tumor shrinkage in 20% of

patients.

Approximately 17,500 people are diagnosed with primary brain cancer in the

US each year. Primary brain cancer is cancer that originates in the brain

(as opposed to cancer that has spread to the brain from elsewhere in the

body). Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most common and fatal types of

primary brain cancer. It develops from the glial cells, which are the most

abundant cells in the nervous system. Glial cells provide supportive

functions that facilitate the work of neurons (cells that transmit impulses

between the brain, spinal column, and nerves).

Standard treatment options for glioblastoma multiforme consist of surgical

removal of the cancer when possible, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

However, even with the most aggressive treatment available, many patients

will survive less than one year after diagnosis. Due to this poor prognosis,

researchers are attempting to develop more effective treatment strategies to

improve survival of glioblastoma multiforme patients. Treatment strategies

being explored include new combinations of chemotherapy drugs.

A factor that may play a role in the development of glioblastoma multiforme

is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling. Clinical trials of

Gleevec, a drug that inhibits PDGF receptors, suggest that Gleevac alone is

often not effective against glioblastoma, but it's possible that combining

Gleevec with other drugs will improve effectiveness.

In order to assess the effect of treatment with Gleevac and Hydrea in a

small group of patients, researchers in Germany conducted a study in 30

patients with grade IV progressive glioblastoma multiforme. All patients had

stopped responding, or had never responded, to standard chemotherapy and

radiation therapy.

Combination therapy with Gleevec and Hydrea resulted in complete or partial

disappearance of the tumor in 20% of patients. Half of the patients survived

for at least 19 weeks. Thirty-two percent of patients survived for six

months without a worsening of their tumor, and 16% survived for two-years.

The researchers conclude that the combination of Gleevec and Hydrea offers

promise for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. This treatment

combination resulted in tumor shrinkage in some patients with glioblastoma

multiforme and produced no serious toxic effects.

Patients with glioblastoma multiforme may wish to talk with their doctor

about the risks and benefits of participating in a clinical trial further

evaluating therapeutic approaches. Two sources of information regarding

ongoing clinical trials include the National Cancer Institute

(www.cancer.gov <http://www.cancer.gov/> ) and www.cancerconsultants.com

<http://www.cancerconsultants.com/> .

Reference: Dresemann G. Imatinib and hydroxyurea in pretreated progressive

glioblastoma multiforme: a patient series. ls of Oncology.

2005;16:1702-1708.

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<http://patient.cancerconsultants.com/brain_cancer_news.aspx?id=34821>

Glioblastoma

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