scholarly journals The Role of Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Malignant Astrocytomas

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Mathieu ◽  
David Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Cytotoxic Agents ◽  
New Class ◽  
Dismal Prognosis ◽  
Malignant Astrocytomas ◽  
Signal Transduction Inhibitors ◽  
Metalloproteinase Inhibitors ◽  
Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma ◽  
Combination Regimens

ABSTRACT:Malignant astrocytomas are aggressive neoplasms with a dismal prognosis despite optimal treatment. Maximal resective surgery is traditionally complemented by radiation therapy. Chemotherapy is now used on patients as initial therapy when their functional status is congruent with further treatment. The classic agents used are nitrosoureas, but temozolomide has taken the front seat recently, with recent data demonstrating increased survival when this agent is used concurrently with radiation therapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients. A new class of agents, refered to as biological modifiers, are increasingly used in clinical trials in an effort to affect the intrinsic biologic aberrations harboured by tumor cells. These drugs comprise differentiation agents, anti-angiogenic agents, matrix-metalloproteinase inhibitors and signal transduction inhibitors, among others. This article reviews the standard cytotoxic agents that have been used to treat malignant astrocytomas, and the different combination regimens offering promise. In addition, recent advances with biological modifiers are also discussed.

Human interferon beta, nimustine hydrochloride, and radiation therapy in the treatment of newly diagnosed malignant astrocytomas

2005 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takao Watanabe ◽  
Yoichi Katayama ◽  
Atsuo Yoshino ◽  
Chikashi Fukaya ◽  
Takamitsu Yamamoto
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Interferon Beta ◽  
Human Interferon ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Malignant Astrocytomas ◽  
Nimustine Hydrochloride

Cytotoxic agents and radiation therapy: mechanisms of action and clinical applications

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Amanda Marrone ◽  
William T. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Treatment Resistance ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Cytotoxic Agents ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Oncological Diseases ◽  
Health Database

AbstractBackgroundThe combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is rooted in its ability to help achieve locoregional and systemic control, therefore increasing the overall disease-free survival of patients. Understanding the mechanistic actions of cytotoxic agents and their targets on the cell cycle, as well as the governing pharmacokinetic principles can improve treatment delivery. The adjuvant treatment setting can overcome barriers such as hypoxia and genetically driven treatment resistance.PurposeThe purpose of this review is to present theoretical frameworks behind the chemoradiation paradigm and to describe current chemoradiation practices in radiation oncology.MethodologyA review was conducted using the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health database (PubMed) using the following search keywords: chemoradiation, spatial cooperation, chemotherapeutic agents, pharmacokinetics, anti-vascular agents, tumour vasculature and tumour hypoxia.Results and conclusionsCurrent research has reported several rationales for the beneficial combination of radiation and chemotherapy to eradicate oncological diseases. Mechanisms of action and biological approaches are showing that concurrent treatments, as well as novel agents such as anti-vascular and anti-angiogenic agents may benefit improved treatment outcomes by reducing micro hypoxic environments in tumours. In addition, chemotherapy administered in tandem with radiation enhances cell-killing effects by targeting the cell cycle.

Chiasmatic optic glioma treated with chemotherapy

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 862-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Rosenstock ◽  
Roger J. Packer ◽  
Larissa Bilaniuk ◽  
Derek A. Bruce ◽  
Jerri-Lynne Radcliffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Progressive Disease ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Optic Glioma ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Clinical Stabilization

✓ Chiasmatic optic glioma is a rare tumor with an erratic natural history, usually seen in young children. A prior study from this institution demonstrated that these lesions were frequently lethal, despite initial clinical stabilization following radiation therapy, and that visual, intellectual, and late endocrinological disabilities were prevalent. A novel approach was developed in 1977, when an initial clinical response to vincristine was recorded in a child with a recurrent optic glioma. Since then, all children with recurrent optic glioma and all children aged 6 years old and under with newly diagnosed optic glioma have been offered a program of initial therapy with vincristine and actinomycin D for six cycles over 18 months. The four children with recurrent tumor who were treated with that regimen remain clinically stable 13 to 115 months after chemotherapy. Twelve children (eight under 24 months old) with newly diagnosed optic glioma have been treated with this program, and three are still on therapy. Four developed progression while on therapy, and five remain stable from 1 to 60 months posttherapy. The four children who developed progressive disease have been treated with radiation therapy and remain stable. Six of the 12 children showed shrinkage of their tumor on computerized tomography while receiving chemotherapy. This program may serve as an alternative to initial radiation therapy in young children.

2, 3-Diaryl-5-ethylsulfanylmethyltetrahydrofurans as a new class of COX-2 inhibitors and cytotoxic agents

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (15) ◽  
pp. 2706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Palwinder Singh ◽  
Anu Mittal ◽  
Satwinderjeet Kaur ◽  
Wolfgang Holzer ◽  
Subodh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Cytotoxic Agents ◽  
New Class ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Cox 2 Inhibitors
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