Second line chemotherapy with docetaxel in patients with recurrent malignant glioma: a phase II study

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of docetaxel in recur rent supratentorial malignant gliomas. The sample size of the study was det ermined by the Gehan's method for a response rate of 20% and a beta error o f 5%. In the first step 14 patients (age 27-69, median 50; Karnofsky index 50-90, median 75) with recurrent malignant glioma after surgery, radiothera py and nitrosourea, were enrolled (12 glioblastomas, 2 anaplastic astrocyto mas). Docetaxel at the initial dose of 80 mg/m(2) was administered every 3 weeks until progression or unacceptable toxicity. A total of 41 cycles was administered. Patients received a median of two cycles (range 1-6). No comp lete or partial response was observed. Therefore, according to the design o f the study, no additional patients were enrolled and the trial was termina ted. Two stabilizations were observed (14 and 15 weeks). Median TTP was 7 w eeks (44 days). Median overall survival from recurrence was 26.5 weeks (6.4 months). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was observed in 8 patients (57%) but no lif e-threatening toxicity was observed. Other toxicities were uncommon and mil d. Dose reduction was performed in 5 patients. This study suggests that doc etaxel displayed no significant activity in patients with malignant recurre nt gliomas.