Procarbazine 50mg capsules

INTRODUCTION: Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are rare diffuse gliomas. Although radiotherapy (RT) combined with procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) has been the historical standard, temozolomide (TMZ) has been increasingly used. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of RT combined with PCV versus RT combined with TMZ in adult with anaplastic oligodendroglioma. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted up to March 2025. Eligible studies included patients with 1p/19q-codeleted anaplastic oligodendroglioma treated with RT + PCV, RT + TMZ, or RT alone. Studies comparing RT alone to RT + PCV or RT + TMZ were used to create indirect comparisons, with RT as a common comparator. A frequentist network meta-analysis with a random-effects model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Risk of bias was assessed with RoB 2 and ROBINS-I. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251012169). No funding was received. RESULTS: Eight studies comprising 2,416 patients were included. The network meta-analysis, compared with RT alone, RT + PCV significantly improved OS (HR: 0.617; 95% CI 0.465-0.819; p = 0.0009), and PFS (HR: 0.547; 95% CI 0.415-0.721; p < 0.0001), while RT + TMZ showed a trend toward improved OS (HR: 0.913; 95% CI 0.666-1.252; p = 0.421) and PFS (HR: 1.270; 95% CI 0.870-1.855; p = 0.215), without statistical significance. In the comparison between RT + PCV and RT + TMZ, RT + PCV demonstrated superior OS (HR: 0.676; 95% CI, 0.585-0.781; p < 0.0001) and better PFS (HR: 0.431; 95% CI, 0.325-0.570; p < 0.0001). Limitations include the small number of randomized trials directly comparing key outcomes, and the fact that most studies predated current molecular diagnostic criteria, with toxicity data often reported in heterogeneous populations. CONCLUSION: In patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma, RT combined with PCV provides superior survival outcomes compared to radiotherapy combined with TMZ.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

BACKGROUND: Older primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) patients have an inferior prognosis compared to younger patients because available evidence on best treatment is scarce and treatment delivery is challenging due to comorbidities and reduced performance status. High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HCT-ASCT) after high-dose methotrexate (MTX)-based immuno-chemotherapy has become an increasingly used treatment approach in eligible elderly PCNSL patients with promising feasibility and efficacy, but has not been compared with conventional chemotherapy approaches. In addition, eligibility for HCT-ASCT in elderly PCNSL is not well defined. Geriatric assessment (GA) may be helpful in selecting patients for the best individual treatment choice, but no standardized GA exists to date. A randomized controlled trial, incorporating a GA and comparing age-adapted HCT-ASCT treatment with conventional chemotherapy is needed. METHODS: This open-label, multicenter, randomized phase III trial with two parallel arms will recruit 310 patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL > 65 years of age in 40 centers in Germany and Austria. The primary objective is to demonstrate that intensified chemotherapy followed by consolidating HCT-ASCT is superior to conventional chemotherapy with rituximab, MTX, procarbazine (R-MP) followed by maintenance with procarbazine in terms of progression free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints include overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS), (neuro-)toxicity and quality of life (QoL). GA will be conducted at specific time points during the course of the study. All patients will be treated with a pre-phase rituximab-MTX (R-MTX) cycle followed by re-assessment of transplant eligibility. Patients judged transplant eligible will be randomized (1:1). Patients in arm A will be treated with 3 cycles of R-MP followed by maintenance therapy with procarbazine for 6 months. Patients in arm B will be treated with 2 cycles of MARTA (R-MTX/AraC) followed by busulfan- and thiotepa-based HCT-ASCT. DISCUSSION: The best treatment strategy for elderly PCNSL patients remains unknown. Treatments range from palliative to curative but more toxic therapies, and there is no standardized measure to select patients for the right treatment. This randomized controlled trial will create evidence for the best treatment strategy with the focus on developing a standardized GA to help define eligibility for an intensive treatment approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German clinical trials registry DRKS00024085 registered March 29, 2023.

Abstract licence: CC BY

A randomized, multicentre, open-label, phase II study compared temozolomide (TMZ), an oral second-generation alkylating agent, and procarbazine (PCB) in 225 patients with glioblastoma multiforme at first relapse. Primary objectives were to determine progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months and safety for TMZ and PCB in adult patients who failed conventional treatment. Secondary objectives were to assess overall survival and health-related quality of life (HRQL). TMZ was given orally at 200 mg/m(2)/day or 150 mg/m(2)/day (prior chemotherapy) for 5 days, repeated every 28 days. PCB was given orally at 150 mg/m(2)/day or 125 mg/m(2)/day (prior chemotherapy) for 28 days, repeated every 56 days. HRQL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30 [+3]) and the Brain Cancer Module 20 (BCM20). The 6-month PFS rate for patients who received TMZ was 21%, which met the protocol objective. The 6-month PFS rate for those who received PCB was 8% (P = 0.008, for the comparison). Overall PFS significantly improved with TMZ, with a median PFS of 12.4 weeks in the TMZ group and 8.32 weeks in the PCB group (P = 0.0063). The 6-month overall survival rate for TMZ patients was 60% vs. 44% for PCB patients (P = 0.019). Freedom from disease progression was associated with maintenance of HRQL, regardless of treatment received. TMZ had an acceptable safety profile; most adverse events were mild or moderate in severity.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-SA