Key result
Doxorubicin treatment in glioma patients resulted in overall survival ranging from 6 to 18.5 months, with liposomal and PEGylated forms showing potential for improved outcomes.
Why the study?
Glioma has few effective treatment options, and although doxorubicin is effective in other cancers, its role in glioma is complicated by the blood-brain barrier.
Does doxorubicin improve survival and quality of life in glioma patients?
Systematic Review (n=366)
Does doxorubicin improve survival and quality of life in glioma patients?
Doxorubicin, particularly in advanced delivery forms, shows promise in prolonging survival and slowing progression in glioma patients, though further standardized research is needed.
May warrant cautious use of liposomal DOX in select glioma cases; leaves open need for standardized RCTs to confirm survival benefits.
BACKGROUND: Glioma is still one of the most aggressive and common types of brain and central nervous system cancer, with few effective treatment options. Despite progress in therapy, there is a requirement for new methods to enhance patient outcomes. Doxorubicin (DOX), a type of anthracycline that has been proven to be effective in different cancers, encounters difficulties in treating glioma because of the blood-brain barrier. This systematic review is intended to assess the effects of DOX on the survival and quality of life of glioma patients. METHODS: We conducted a thorough search and found 1576 records, from which 10 studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies, published between 1973 and 2023, were examined for overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), median time to progression (mTTP), response rate, and toxicity profiles. RESULTS: The studies included in the analysis showed that OS ranged from 6 to 18.5 months, indicating potential improved outcomes with liposomal and PEGylated forms of DOX. PFS rates varied from 15 to 58%, and mTTP ranged from 11 to 39.83 weeks. Response rates varied from 19 to 88%, and while DOX was generally well-tolerated, some hematological and non-hematological toxicities were observed. DOX shows promise in prolonging survival and slowing glioma progression, especially with advanced delivery methods. CONCLUSIONS: However, variations in research, small sample sizes, and lack of uniformity highlight the need for further investigation. Overcoming these limitations in future studies is crucial to maximize DOX's effectiveness in glioma treatment and improve patient outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mondanizadeh et al. (2025) conducted a systematic review in Glioma (n=366). Doxorubicin was evaluated on Overall survival. Doxorubicin treatment in glioma patients resulted in overall survival ranging from 6 to 18.5 months, with liposomal and PEGylated forms showing potential for improved outcomes.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: