International collaboration helps EORTC NCIC glioblastoma trial meet accrual target

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the NCIC Clinical Trials Group (NCI CTG) are pleased to announce that the intergroup EORTC 26062-22061 NCIC CTG CE6 trial has met its accrual target of 560 elderly patients with glioblastoma (GBM). An international and intergroup collaboration was essential in meeting this accrual target for this rare cancer and in an elderly population. Among the 562 randomized patients, 249 patients were recruited by the EORTC, 199 patients by NCIC CTG in Canada, 97 patients by the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group in Australia, and 17 patients in Japan.

The objective of this international intergroup trial is to compare the overall survival rates between short-course radiation therapy alone and short-course radiation therapy given together with temozolomide in newly diagnosed patients with GBM who are older than 65 years of age and are not fit for standard treatment.

This NCIC CTG led study under the direction of Dr Normand Laperriere and Dr James Perry, NCIC CTG study chairs, was chaired for the EORTC by Dr. Alba Brandes of the Ospedale Bellaria in Bologna, Italy and Dr Johan Menten of the U.Z. Leuven – Campus Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium. According to Dr. Brandes, “Evidence from clinical research suggests that age is an extremely important predictor of outcome for patients with GBM. We know that elderly patients tolerate high dose radiotherapy less well than younger patients, and shorter course radiotherapy has been shown to be effective in older patients. Results from a phase III trial showed an advantage in combining temozolomide with radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with GBM, and we would like to see if this advantage extends to an older patient population.”

The intergroup EORTC 26062-22061 NCIC CTG CE6 trial is coordinated by the NCIC Clinical Trials Group in collaboration with the EORTC Brain Tumor and Radiation Oncology Groups. The NCIC CTG is a cancer clinical trials cooperative group that conducts phase I-III trials testing anti-cancer and supportive therapies across Canada and internationally. It is one of the national programs and networks of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI), and is supported by the CCSRI with funds raised by the Canadian Cancer Society (Grant #021039 and #015469). The trial is supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharpe & Dohme. Results are expected in one and one half years.

For more information about the EORTC intergroup 26062-22061 CE6 trial please contact: www.eortc.org/contact

John Bean, PhD
EORTC, Medical Science Writer