Phase II Trial of Chemotherapy With Temodar With Topotecan for CNS Metastasis of Solid Tumors

The long-term objective of this research project is to develop chemotherapy-based approach to the treatment of brain metastases. The specific purpose of this study is to obtain data on safety and efficacy of combination chemotherapy with temozolomide and topotecan in patients with central nervous system (CNS) metastases of solid tumors. Patients with brain metastases of solid tumors have a poor prognosis, despite improvements in survival achieved with modern neurosurgical and radiation techniques. Chemotherapy does not play any significant role in this disease, but may have application in salvage of patients who have failed radiation therapy. In patients who are not surgical candidates, do not require immediate XRT to relieve symptoms and have controlled systemic disease, effective chemotherapy as an alternative to XRT might decrease the risk of radiation induced neurotoxicity. Recent advances in treatment of systemic disease with the use of modern chemotherapy and pathobiologic agents have significantly improved overall survival of cancer patients, putting them at risk for CNS metastases and radiation induced neurotoxicity. Both, temozolomide and topotecan have good blood-brain barrier penetration and have shown activity in CNS malignancies. Preclinical studies suggest synergy of this drug combination. This is a single-arm, open-label phase II drug study. All patients will receive the chemotherapy combination. Up to 35 patients will be accrued over 2-3 years and followed for up to 5 years. Patients will receive up to 8 cycles of chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is the rate of radiologic response of brain metastases and secondary endpoints are median overall survival, progression-free survival, time to progression of brain metastases and toxicity. The study is expected to provide data to be used in generating further research hypotheses.