Neurologic Manifestations of Glioblastoma Multiforme Medication

  • Author: ABM Salah Uddin, MD; Chief Editor: Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Apr 19, 2010
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Alkylating agents

Class Summary

This oral alkylating agent has been approved for newly diagnosed GBM and recurrent anaplastic astrocytomas.

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Temozolomide (Temodar)

 

Oral alkylating agent converted to MTIC at physiologic pH; 100% bioavailable; approximately 35% crosses blood-brain barrier. Indicated for GBM combined with radiotherapy. Significant overall survival was demonstrated in patients treated with temozolomide and radiation compared with radiotherapy alone.

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Cytotoxic agents

Class Summary

Local chemotherapy with carmustine (BCNU) wafers (Gliadel wafers) significantly prolongs survival in patients with newly diagnosed primary malignant glioma.

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Carmustine

 

Gliadel is a small wafer that contains the chemotherapeutic drug carmustine, or BCNU. The wafer is designed to release the drug slowly over a period of 2-3 wk after placed in tumor bed. Up to 8 Gliadel wafers are implanted in the cavity, slowly delivering BCNU directly to tumor site.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

ABM Salah Uddin, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Internal Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital

ABM Salah Uddin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Tambi Jarmi, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Carraway Methodist Medical Center

Tambi Jarmi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Amy A Pruitt, MD  Associate Professor of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania; Attending Neurologist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Amy A Pruitt, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Jorge Kattah, MD  Head, Program Director, Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria

Jorge Kattah, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Neurological Association, and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Biogen Honoraria Consulting; Bayer Corporation Honoraria Consulting

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa General Hospital

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Chief Editor

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA  Professor of Neurology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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T1-weighted axial gadolinium-enhanced MRI demonstrates an enhancing tumor of the right frontal lobe. Image courtesy of George Jallo, MD.
T2-weighted image demonstrates notable edema and midline shift. This finding is consistent with a high grade or malignant tumor. Image courtesy of George Jallo, MD.
Histopathologic slide demonstrating a glioblastoma multiforme.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy is representative of a glioblastoma multiforme.
 
 
 
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