LONG-TERM RESPONSE TO CRISNATOL MESYLATE IN PATIENTS WITH GLIOMA

A total of 26 patients (6 with anaplastic astrocytoma; 20 with gliobla stoma) were treated with crisnatol mesylate. All patients had residual or progressive disease following surgery and standard radiotherapy; n ine patients had prior chemotherapy. Crisnatol was administered as a 7 2-hour infusion every 21 days at a starting dose of 2250 mg/m(2) Two p atients who had not received prior chemotherapy achieved a complete re sponse and remain in continuous complete remission over seven and six years, respectively, post-diagnosis. Two other patients remained stabl e on crisnatol for 10 months before disease progression. One patient w ith mixed oligodendroglioma/glioblastoma progressed after 12 months on crisnatol. He survives at 7 years post-diagnosis, with Karnofsky Perf ormance Status of 60 following other therapies. One patient with anapl astic astrocytoma stopped treatment by request after 10 months and rem ains stable 64 months post diagnosis. Seventeen evaluable patients, in cluding nine patients with prior chemotherapy, progressed after 2-9 co urses of therapy. Median survival is 9.25 months, with a one year surv ival rate of 30% and 2 years survival rate of 17%. Neurotoxicity was a cute and dose-limiting. Side effects were tolerable and limited to dur ation of infusion, Two complete, long-lasting responses to crisnatol m esylate in patients with progressive malignant glioma are encouraging results and warrant further investigation.