Temozolomide in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma and Mixed Oligoastrocytoma
Temozolomide in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma and Mixed Oligoastrocytoma
Rationale:

 Standard therapy for anaplastic oligodendrogliomas and mixed oligoastrocytomas includes
 radiation and chemotherapy. However, due to the potential long-term central nervous system
 toxicity from radiation, researchers speculate that it may be better to reserve radiation
 therapy for progressive disease. In addition, some patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma
 and mixed oligoastrocytoma have unusually chemosensitive tumors. Previous research indicates
 that brain tumor patients with a deletion of the 1p chromosome have a higher response to the
 chemotherapy drug temozolomide.
Temozolomide has demonstrated clinical antitumor efficacy against malignant gliomas at both
 relapse and initial diagnosis. This drug appears to have less adverse effects compared to
 other drugs used against brain tumors. Therefore, temozolomide is often better tolerated in
 brain tumor patients compared to other brain tumor drugs. The current study builds on
 previous research to test the efficacy of chemotherapy alone in patients with anaplastic
 oligodendroglioma and mixed oligoastrocytoma.

 Purpose:

 This study will evaluate response rate, or how the disease size changes in patients, and
 survival without disease growth, in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma and mixed
 oligoastrocytoma treated with temozolomide. Quality of life will also be assessed in this
 patient population treated with the study regimen.

 Treatment:

 Study participants will be treated with the drug temozolomide. This drug will be administered
 in oral pills. Temozolomide will be taken for seven consecutive days followed by seven days
 without the drug. This treatment schedule of seven days on temozolomide followed by seven
 days off will continue throughout the study. Several tests and exams will be given to closely
 monitor patients. MRI scans will be performed every 8 weeks to measure disease response.
 Temozolomide as a study drug will be given to study participants for a total of 8 week four
 cycles. However, treatments will be discontinued due to disease growth or unacceptable
 adverse events.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  anaplastic oligodendroglioma or mixed oligoastrocytoma

 -  age > 18

 -  Karnofsky status > 70%

 -  adequate bone marrow, liver and renal function

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  prior chemotherapy or cranial irradiation