The impact of sequential vs. combined radiochemotherapy with temozolomide, resection and MGMT promoter hypermethylation on survival of patients with primary glioblastoma--a single centre retrospective study.

Background: The benefit of the introduction of alkylating chemotherapy in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients has been demonstrated by comparing radiotherapy with concomitant plus intermittent temozolomide (iTMZ) to radiation therapy. The isolated impact of the concomitant part of this protocol on survival was not investigated. We were therefore interested in the impact of the effect of the concomitant therapy part on survival.

Glioblastoma multiforme of the elderly: the prognostic effect of resection on survival.

According to recent developments the best treatment options for glioblastoma (GBM) consist in maximum safe resection and additional adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy (RT) and alkylating chemotherapy (CHX). These options have been evaluated for populations with a median age of approximately 58 years. We therefore addressed the issue of whether elderly patients (>65 years) could also benefit from cytoreductive surgery (CS) and adjuvant treatment using alkylating chemotherapy.

Computer-based assessment of cognitive functions in brain tumor patients.

NeuroCogFX is a short yet comprehensive computer-based neuropsychological battery of tests developed to investigate neurological patients for cognitive dysfunction after potentially neurotoxic therapy. NeuroCogFX had been standardized in a group of 242 healthy controls (Fliessbach et al., Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 74:643-650, 2006).

Prognostic significance of molecular markers and extent of resection in primary glioblastoma patients.

Purpose: Despite multimodal aggressive treatment glioblastoma patients still face a rather poor prognosis. Recent data indicate that certain molecular markers, in particular MGMT promoter hypermethylation, are associated with response to alkylating chemotherapy and longer survival. The clinical significance of other glioblastoma-associated molecular aberrations and their relationship to MGMT promoter hypermethylation is still poorly understood.