Can Temozolomide cure glioma?

Malignant gliomas (glioblastoma multiforme and anaplastic astrocytoma) are more common than other types of primary central nervous system tumors, and even with aggressive treatment such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the reported median survival is less than1 year. Temozolomide is a new drug that has shown promise in treating malignant gliomas and other difficult-to-treat tumors, with efficacy similar to or better than nitrosourea regimens in treating malignant gliomas at initial diagnosis and first recurrence.

Temozolomide is a p.o. imidazotetrazine second-generation alkylating agent and the main compound in a new class of chemotherapy drugs that enter the cerebrospinal fluid and do not require hepatic metabolism for activation. In vitro, temozolomide has demonstrated regimen-dependent antitumor activity against highly drug-resistant malignancies, including high-grade gliomas. In clinical studies, temozolomide has consistently demonstrated reproducible linear pharmacokinetics, approximately 100% oral bioavailability, rapidly reversible non-cumulative minimal myelosuppression, and activity against a variety of solid tumors in children and adults. Preclinical studies evaluated temozolomide in combination with other alkylating agents and inhibitors of the DNA repair protein O6-alkylguanine alkyltransferase to overcome resistance to chemotherapy in malignant glioma and malignant metastatic melanoma.

The original drug temozolomide has been launched in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. Common specificationsThe price of 100mg*1 tablet*5 bags per box may be around 2,000 yuan. The generic drugs of temozolomide marketed overseas are relatively low-priced, and their drug ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drug of temozolomide. For example, the price of a box of 100mg*5 produced by a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical factory may be around a few hundred yuan (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates).