Successful treatment of multiple intracranial meningiomas with the antiprogesterone receptor agent mifepristone (RU486).

BACKGROUND

Meningiomas are the most frequent primary brain tumor in adults. Evidence suggests that female sex hormones play a role in the meningioma tumorigenesis. In particular, progesterone, has a receptor (PR) that is highly expressed in the majority of grade I meningiomas. Multiple meningiomas (diffuse meningiomatosis) are less frequent, but have a higher female predominance and a higher PR expression. They are, therefore, attractive candidates for anti-PR therapy.

METHODS

We treated three consecutive women with multiple meningiomas with mifepristone (RU 486). It is a synthetic steroid with high affinity for both progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors.

RESULTS

The treatment was well tolerated, and we observed an important and long-lasting clinical (3/3) and radiological response (2/3) or stabilisation. All the three patients are now stable after five to nine years of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These encouraging results strongly support a prospective clinical trial in this preselected population.