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.