A phase II study of paclitaxel in chemonaive patients with recurrent high-grade glioma

Background: The prognosis of malignant gliomas remains poor. In recurrent d isease, chemotherapy can be considered. Patients and methods: In this phase II study we determined the anti-tumour efficacy of paclitaxel 200 mg/m(2) in a three-hour intravenous infusion eve ry three weeks in chemonaive patients with recurrent high-grade glioma in t erms of response, survival, and quality of life. Results: In 17 patients (14 glioblastoma multiforme, 3 anaplastic astrocyto ma) 69 paclitaxel cycles were administered. Partial or complete responses w ere not observed. Stable disease for four to six months was observed in fiv e patients (29%). Median time to progression and median survival were two a nd 10 months, respectively. Toxicity due to paclitaxel was as to be expecte d and minor in most cases. Quality of life and mood estimates appeared rath er stable over time. Conclusions: We conclude that three-weekly 200 mg/m(2) paclitaxel chemother apy for patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas did not lead to major co mplications or adverse effects on quality of life and mood. However, this t herapy is of only very limited value in terms of response and survival in s uch patients.