Temozolomide in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma and Mixed Oligoastrocytoma

• Determine progression free survival and response rate in patients with newly diagnosed AO and MOA of Temozolomide given every other week. [ Time Frame: 2007-20011 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

• Assess the quality of life in this patient population using validated quality of life instruments. [ Time Frame: 2007-2011 ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  

Drug: Temozolomide

p.o.(by mouth), 150 mg/m2/d x days 1-7 and 15-21, given every 28 days [i.e., 7 days on/7 days off] using a standardized dosing range.

Administration: Temozolomide will be administered on an empty stomach (i.e., 1 hour before or 2 hours after any oral intake).

Temozolomide has demonstrated clinical antitumor efficacy against malignant gliomas at both relapse and initial diagnosis. This drug appears to have less adverse effects compared to other drugs used against brain tumors. Therefore, temozolomide is often better tolerated in brain tumor patients compared to other brain tumor drugs. The current study builds on previous research to test the efficacy of chemotherapy alone in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma and mixed oligoastrocytoma.

Purpose:

This study will evaluate response rate, or how the disease size changes in patients, and survival without disease growth, in patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma and mixed oligoastrocytoma treated with temozolomide. Quality of life will also be assessed in this patient population treated with the study regimen.

Treatment:

Study participants will be treated with the drug temozolomide. This drug will be administered in oral pills. Temozolomide will be taken for seven consecutive days followed by seven days without the drug. This treatment schedule of seven days on temozolomide followed by seven days off will continue throughout the study. Several tests and exams will be given to closely monitor patients. MRI scans will be performed every 8 weeks to measure disease response. Temozolomide as a study drug will be given to study participants for a total of 8 week four cycles. However, treatments will be discontinued due to disease growth or unacceptable adverse events.