How effective is temozolomide for treating pituitary tumours and when should it be used?
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Halevy, Carmel
Whitelaw, Benjamin C.
Check for full-text access
Issue Date
2017
Type
Article
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) has been shown as an effective treatment option in aggressive pituitary adenomas and carcinomas. This review analyses the published case series and demonstrates 42 % of patents show a radiological response and 27 % experience stable disease following TMZ. Prolactinomas and corticotroph tumours respond best to TMZ, showing approximately a 50 % response rate, with non-functioning tumours responding only half as frequently. Other factors that may predict the tumour's TMZ response include MGMT and MSH status, but neither is sufficiently robust to determine treatment decisions. TMZ has an accepted role in treating pituitary carcinoma and adenomas if radiation and surgery have failed to control tumour growth. To use TMZ on the basis of anticipated future aggression, as a primary therapy, or in preference to radiotherapy remains controversial.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Journal
Pituitary
Volume
20
Issue
2