Phase II study of nimustine, carboplatin, vincristine, and interferon-β with radiotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme: experience of the Kyoto Neuro-Oncology Group

Abstract

Object This Phase II study was performed to determine the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of combining nimustine (ACNU)–carboplatin-vincristine-Interferon-β (IFNβ) chemotherapy. Methods Ninety-seven patients with Karnofsky Performance Scale scores of 50 or greater were enrolled in the study. Nimustine (60 mg/m2), carboplatin (110 mg/m2), vincristine (0.6 mg/m2), and IFNβ (10 μg) were administered on Day 1 concomitant with radiotherapy (63 Gy); vincristine (0.6 mg/m2) and IFNβ (10 μg) on Days 8 and 15; and IFNβ alone (10 μg) three times per week throughout the course of radiotherapy. Fifty-six days after radiotherapy ended, the time schedule for chemotherapy was reset and ACNU, carboplatin, vincristine, and IFNβ were again administered on the new Day 1 and vincristine and IFNβ on the new Days 8 and 15. This course was repeated every 56 days. Instances of nonhematological toxicity were rare and mild. During the course of radiotherapy, the percentages of patients who experienced Grade 3 toxicity were 14% with neurocytopenia and 7% with thrombocytopenia. Seven percent of all adjuvant chemotherapy cycles following radiotherapy were associated with Grade 3 toxicity, as manifested in neurocytopenia or thrombocytopenia. No instance of Grade 4 toxicity was observed. The median duration of progression-free survival was 10 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 8–12 months) and the median duration of overall survival was 16 months (95% CI 13–20 months). Conclusions The combination of ACNU-carboplatin-vincristine-IFNβ chemotherapy and radiotherapy is safe and well tolerated, and may prolong survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.