Glioblastoma management in the temozolomide era: have we improved outcome?

Temozolomide (TMZ) during and after radiotherapy (RT) is recommended for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM). We analyzed the adoption of this new standard of care for GBM in an academic cancer centre in Canada and assessed its impact on survival. GBM patients registered with Cancer Care Ontario between 2004 and 2008 were identified. Those ≥ 16 years age, newly diagnosed, treated at our institution, had confirmed pathology and complete records were included. Demographics, treatments, toxicity and outcome were captured. For survival analysis patients were stratified by age, ECOG, and treatment modalities including total cycles of TMZ. Descriptive statistics were used for early progressors and long term survivors. Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were used for survival analyses. At a median follow-up of 28 months, we compared our outcome to updated EORTC-NCIC CE 3 results. Of 517 patients 433 were included for analysis. Majority were male (63 %), ECOG 0-1 (66 %), and ≤ 65 years (55 %). 44 % received CRT followed by TMZ, 13 % had CRT only, 30 % had RT only and 13 % had best supportive care. 10 % were early progressors and 9 % survived beyond 2 years. Comparison of our results to NCIC CTG CE.3 study data showed median survival was 15.8 versus 14.6 months, 2 year survival rate for CRT plus TMZ was 35 versus 26 %, and for RT alone 0 versus 10 %, respectively. <50 % of GBM patients complete CRT with TMZ in the real-world setting. Prognosis for most patients with GBM remains dismal particularly if they are not suitable for RT and CRT.