Aktuelle Neurologie 2009; 36 - P652
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1238745

First-line temozolomide therapy and MGMT status in elderly patients with primary CNS lymphoma

M Glas 1, D Kurzwelly 1, P Roth 1, K Rasch 1, E Weimann 1, H Lohner 1, A Waha 1, M Stuplich 1, M Simon 1, M Schabet 1, G Reifenberger 1, M Weller 1, U Herrlinger 1
  • 1Bonn; Zürich, CH; Ludwigsburg, Rosenheim, Düsseldorf

Objective: This series explores temozolomide monotherapy in elderly patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) and severe comorbidities.

Patients and methods: We reviewed the charts of four German Medical Centers to identify PCNSL patients treated with primary TMZ chemotherapy, and analyzed toxicity, response to therapy, survival parameters and MGMT promotor methylation status in these patients.

Results: In 17 patients (62–90 years old), complete response rate was 47%, median progression-free survival was 5 months and median overall survival was 21 months. Five of 17 patients (29.4%) had prolonged responses for at least 12 months and survived for more than 24 months. Three of these patients had a methylated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter while the MGMT status was not assessable in the remaining two patients.

Conclusion: Temozolomide monotherapy appears to be effective in a subgroup of elderly PCNSL patients and deserves further evaluation.