A small proportion of glioblastoma patients are probably eligible for concomitant/adjuvant temozolomide.

摘要

Sir - Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a World Health Organisation (WHO) grade [V brain tumour with a median survival of 9-12 months. Standard treatment is maximal possible debulking surgery followed by radical radiotherapy. Recent published trials have shown a benefit in using the oral chemotherapy drug temozolomide concomitantly with radiotherapy and cyclically for 6 months afterwards. Patients treated in this way have a 2-year survival of 26% compared with 10% for the standard treatment of postoperative radiotherapy alone.The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will publish their recommendations regarding the availability of concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide in selected GBM patients in mid-2007. Preliminary guidance published in December 2006 suggests its use in GBM patients of WHO performance status (PS) 0 or 1 only .