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Temozolomide for Brain Tumors

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Last Modified: September 24, 2006

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

My friend has very recently been diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastoma. She begins radiation therapy (XRT) next week on a palliative basis. Is there any evidence that the use of the drug Temodar (temozolomide) would improve her survival, and if there is, what would a course of this drug entail?

Robert Lustig MD FACR, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, responds:

Glioblastoma multiforme is a grade IV (out of IV) astrocytoma, which is a very aggressive primary cancer of the brain. The drug temozolomide, or Temodar, is now part of the standard of care in glioblastoma treatment. It is given daily at a dose of 75 mg/m 2 (based on body size) starting on day one of radiation and continuing until the last day. After a one month rest, temozolomide is then restarted at a higher dose for 5 days, followed by a 3-week rest, and continued in this way until disease progression.