Clinical studies for improving radiotherapy with 2-deoxy-D-glucose: present status and future prospects.

Higher rates of glucose usage generally correlate with poor prognosis in several types of malignant tumours. Experimental studies (both in vitro and in vivo) have shown that 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a glucose analog and glycolytic inhibitor, enhances radiation-induced damage selectively in tumor cells while protecting normal cells, thereby suggesting that 2-DG can be used as a differential radiomodifier to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. Clinical trials undertaken to study the feasibility, safety, and validity of this suggested approach will be described.

Optimizing cancer radiotherapy with 2-deoxy-d-glucose dose escalation studies in patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Background And Purpose: Higher rates of glucose utilization and glycolysis generally correlate with poor prognosis in several types of malignant tumors. Own earlier studies on model systems demonstrated that the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) could enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in a dose-dependent manner by selectively sensitizing cancer cells while protecting normal cells. Phase I/II clinical trials indicated that the combination of 2-DG, at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg body weight (BW), with large fractions of gamma-radiation was well tolerated in cerebral glioma patients.

Neuroendoscope-assisted evacuation of large intracerebral hematomas: introduction of a new, minimally invasive technique. Preliminary report.

Object: The aim of this study was to describe a new, minimally invasive technique for the endoscopic evacuation of intracerebral hematomas (ICHs) and the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients who underwent the procedure. The authors used a multifunctional three-in-one endoscopic instrument that combines a 0 degrees, 4-mm rigid telescope, an irrigation cannula, and a cautery electrode.

Methods: In 13 patients a small keyhole craniotomy was made through noneloquent cortex to gain access to the hematoma.

A multifunctional, modified rigid neuroendoscopic system: clinical experience with 83 procedures. Technical note.

The authors combined a monopolar electrode and a suction/irrigation channel with a 0 degrees, 4-mm Hopkins rigid telescope into a single multifunctional unit. This three-in-one instrument is inserted through a lightweight 7.5-mm outer sheath, which is fixed separately.

Gamma-linolenic acid therapy of human gliomas.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of intratumoral administration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in human gliomas.

Methods: We evaluated the effect of the administration of 1 mg of GLA for 7 d via a cerebral reservoir placed into the tumor bed or by direct intratumoral delivery in nine patients who had grade 4 disease and recurrent glioma after surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

Results: There was some, but not dramatic, improvement in patients' survival.