Vincristine in high-grade glioma.

AIM: Numerous chemotherapeutics are used in the treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic value of vincristine (VCR) in the treatment of HGGs.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A meta-analysis of HGG studies was performed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs using observed and predicted median overall survival and survival gain as previously described.

RESULTS

Patient cohorts treated with VCR-containing-regimens had a significant survival gain advantage over cohorts treated with other chemotherapy drugs (p<0.0001). VCR was most effective in treating newly diagnosed adult (p<0.0001) and elderly (p=0.0001) patients. When VCR was combined with nimustine, carmustine, cytarabine or etoposide, the effect was antagonistic, but when VCR was combined with lomustine, procarbazine, cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, hydroxyurea, or cisplatin it was synergistic.

CONCLUSION

Results from this study suggest that VCR should be included in chemotherapy regimens for patients being treated for newly diagnosed or recurrent HGG.