Dramatic clinical response in the treatment of small cell glioblastoma multiforme

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022 Jun;47(6):832-834. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13608. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

Abstract

What is known and objective: Small cell glioblastoma (scGBM) is a rare subtype of primary glioblastoma, which typically behave more aggressively compared with classical glioblastoma (GBMs). They are generally associated with poor responses to treatment, and optimal treatment is not known.

Case summary: We present the case of a 51-year-old woman with scGBM with O6 -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation, demonstrating an unexpected dramatic clinical response to chemoradiotherapy.

What is new and conclusion: This case highlights that treatment with temozolomide-based chemoradiotherapy is justified in patients with scGBM, despite their poor prognosis. MGMT methylation may be associated with clinical responses.

Keywords: chemoradiotherapy; small cell glioblastoma multiforme; temozolomide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • DNA Methylation
  • Dacarbazine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Glioblastoma* / drug therapy
  • Glioblastoma* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / genetics
  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / metabolism
  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase / therapeutic use
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Dacarbazine
  • O(6)-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase

Grants and funding