Abstract

BACKGROUND

Both radiation and temozolomide (TMZ) have meaningful single-modality anti-tumor activity against low-grade gliomas. ECOG-ACRIN E3F05 tested whether combined therapy with radiation and temozolomide is more effective than radiation alone in patients with grade II gliomas.

METHODS

Patients with grade II gliomas (central pathology review performed post hoc), no prior radiation/chemotherapy, and either age > 40, uncontrolled symptoms/seizures, or progression after initial observation were randomized 1:1 to radiation 50.4 Gy alone in 28 fractions (Arm A) versus radiation 50.4 Gy with concomitant and 12 four-week cycles of post-radiation TMZ (Arm B). Randomization was stratified by 1p/19q codeletion status, age, KPS, pre-operative tumor diameter, and contrast enhancement. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); overall survival (OS), quality of life, cognition, severe toxicities, and impact of codeletion status were secondary objectives.

RESULTS

The trial opened 1/09. Accrual was stopped in 1/14 after RTOG 9802 reported benefit from the addition of PCV chemotherapy to radiation in grade II gliomas. A total of 172 subjects were enrolled. Median age was 44 (range 19-78) and 54% male. 1p/19q codeletion was present in 44%. NCI CTCAE (version 4) grade 3+ toxicity was more common in participants treated with TMZ: thrombocytopenia (11%) and neutropenia (5%) versus none in the radiation alone arm. With a median follow-up of 117 months, OS was superior in Arm B (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.95, stratified log-rank p value 0.03). OS HRs were 0.56 and 0.53 for subjects with and without 1p/19q codeleted tumors, respectively. PFS did not differ between Arms A and B (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.44-1.28, p = 0.30). Five and ten-year OS were 78% and 70% in Arm B versus 70% and 47% in Arm A.

CONCLUSION

The addition of temozolomide to radiation improves overall survival in both co-deleted and non-co-deleted grade II gliomas.

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