Regimen of Radiotherapy, Temodar®, Avastin®, and Camptosar® Effective for Glioblastoma (11/17/2009)
Researchers from Duke University have reported that a regimen of radiotherapy (RT), Temodar® (temozolomide), and Avastin® (bevacizumab) followed by Camptosar® (irinotecan), Temodar, and Avastin after RT was well tolerated and effective for treating patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. The details of this Phase II study were presented at the 2009 meeting of the American Society of Radiation Therapy and Oncology (ASTRO) in the first week of November.

Oncophage® Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Recurrent Glioblastoma (11/9/2009)
Researchers from the Brain Tumor Research Center at the University of California, San Francisco, have reported that Oncophage® (vitespen), a cancer vaccine, may improve survival of patients with recurrent or progressive high-grade glioblastoma. The details of this Phase II clinical trial were presented at the 2009 Joint Meeting of the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO) and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/CNS section on tumors on October 24.

Anticonvulsants May Improve Survival of Patients with Glioblastoma (11/4/2009)
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have reported that patients with glioblastoma who are receiving enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant (EIAC) drugs may have improved outcomes compared with similar patients with glioblastoma not taking such drugs. The details of this study appeared in the October 13, 2009 issue of Neurology.

Stereotactic Radiosurgery Alone is Preferred Treatment for Patients with One to Three Brain Metastases (10/15/2009)
Researchers from the MD Anderson Cancer Center have reported that patients with one to three brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plus whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) have significant neurocognitive losses after treatment, and that treatment with SRS alone is recommended. The details of this randomized study were published early online in Lancet Oncology on October 8, 2009.

Avastin® Alone or with Camptosar® Effective for Recurrent Gliomas (10/14/2009)
Researchers affiliated with a US multicenter randomized trial have reported that Avastin® (bevacizumab) alone or combined with Camptosar® (irinotecan) was effective for the treatment of recurrent high-grade gliomas. The details of this study were published in the October 1, 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.