Phase 2 Study of Radiation Therapy Plus Low-Dose Temozolomide Followed by Temozolomide and Irinotecan for Glioblastoma: NRG Oncology RTOG Trial 0420.

purposeTo evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) and irinotecan (CPT-11) for 12 months after concurrent chemoradiation in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Trial RTOG 04-20, a single-arm, multi-institutional phase 2 trial, was designed to determine the efficacy and toxicity of concomitant TMZ and radiation therapy (RT) followed by adjuvant TMZ combined with CPT-11 given for 12 cycles compared with historical controls of adjuvant TMZ alone given for 6 cycles.

resultsA total of 170 patients were enrolled, 152 of whom were eligible. Adjuvant CPT-11 combined with TMZ was more toxic than expected. A higher rate of hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities was more frequently noted with the combination regimen compared with adjuvant TMZ alone. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity was 38% compared with 14% reported in the Stupp trial. After an early interim analysis, the adjuvant CPT-11 dose was reduced to 100 mg/m

conclusionsAlthough irinotecan and TMZ for 12 cycles given after chemoradiation for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma significantly improved median survival compared with historical control data at the time the study was conducted, the historical control median survival time of 13.7 months does not represent the current benchmark for this patient population. Treatment intensification does prolong overall survival compared with the current standard.