A phase II study of thalidomide and irinotecan for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.

Purpose: Irinotecan is a cytotoxic agent with activity against gliomas. Thalidomide, an antiangiogenic agent, may play a role in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). To evaluate the combination of thalidomide and irinotecan, we conducted a phase II trial in adults with newly-diagnosed or recurrent GBM.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor of the spine in an adult: case report and review of the literature.

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs) are rare, malignant brain tumors which occur almost exclusively in infants and young children. There have been only 17 cases of AT/RT in adults reported in the medical literature and the rarity of this tumor makes the diagnosis in adults difficult. We describe a case of an AT/RT of the spinal cord in an adult.

Long-term response of pituitary carcinoma to temozolomide. Report of two cases.

Pituitary carcinoma is a rare tumor characterized by poor responsiveness to therapy, leading to early death. Reported responses to standard chemotherapy have only been anecdotal, with no single agent or combination demonstrating consistent efficacy in the treatment of patients with this disease. The authors report rare examples of a persistent response to cytotoxic chemotherapy in two patients with pituitary carcinoma.

Docetaxel/Gemcitabine followed by gemcitabine and external beam radiotherapy in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains highly lethal. Previous attempts with neoadjuvant therapy in this disease have been inconclusive, but a potential for benefit exists. We conducted a phase II trial of dose-intense docetaxel and gemcitabine followed by twice-weekly gemcitabine and external beam radiotherapy in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

A Phase II trial of paclitaxel and topotecan with filgrastim in patients with recurrent or refractory glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma.

Purpose: Therapy for high-grade gliomas remains unsatisfactory. Paclitaxel and topotecan have separately demonstrated activity against gliomas. We conducted a Phase II trial of these agents in combination with filgrastim (G-CSF) in patients with recurrent or refractory glioblastoma multiforme or anaplastic astrocytoma.

Agranulocytosis associated with lamotrigine in a patient with low-grade glioma.

Purpose: To report agranulocytosis associated with lamotrigine (LTG) in a patient with a brain tumor.

Methods: A 59-year-old woman with a low-grade glioma and difficult-to-control partial seizures developed agranulocytosis between 9 and 14 weeks after starting LTG. The patient underwent chemotherapy 2 years previously.