The Use of Chemotherapy Plus Radiotherapy Plus Azidothymidine in Patients With AIDS-Related Lymph Node Cancer

Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, and Azidothymidine for AIDS-Related Primary CNS Lymphoma

To determine the safety and toxicity of high-dose systemic methotrexate (MTX) and dexamethasone (DEX) combined with zidovudine (AZT) and brain irradiation in patients with AIDS-related primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma and to determine response rates and survival of treated patients. Also to determine if the treatment inhibits HIV replication in patients who are HIV culture and/or antigen positive and to assess the incidence of opportunistic infection in these patients Results of radiation given to patients with AIDS-related high-grade CNS lymphoma have been disappointing, with short survival times due to infection complications. However, complete response has been documented after radiation in some patients. High-dose MTX will be used to improve the possibility of a greater antineoplastic response than that obtained by radiation alone. Since the underlying immunodeficiency state is not affected by therapy directed against the lymphoma, patients are still prone to life-threatening opportunistic infections or relapse of lymphomatous disease within the CNS. Accordingly, AZT will also be used in an attempt to alter the overall natural history of the disease.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Results of radiation given to patients with AIDS-related high-grade CNS lymphoma have been disappointing, with short survival times due to infection complications. However, complete response has been documented after radiation in some patients. High-dose MTX will be used to improve the possibility of a greater antineoplastic response than that obtained by radiation alone. Since the underlying immunodeficiency state is not affected by therapy directed against the lymphoma, patients are still prone to life-threatening opportunistic infections or relapse of lymphomatous disease within the CNS. Accordingly, AZT will also be used in an attempt to alter the overall natural history of the disease.

Radiation begins on day 1 of therapy. Patients receive dexamethasone orally (PO) or by intravenous injection (IV) on days 1-10. MTX IV over 6 hours weekly for a total of 4 doses starts 1 week after completion of the cranial radiation. Leucovorin (LCV) IV or PO begins 6 hours after MTX has been completed over 6 hours for 8 doses. AZT while awake starts on day 1 of therapy and continues for 52 weeks. Patients are reevaluated with computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain at conclusion of radiation therapy and systemic treatment, 6 and 10 weeks respectively. If there is a complete or partial response (CR or PR), patient will remain on study and continue to receive AZT; if stable disease or no response, patient will be taken off study. Reevaluation at 16 weeks from start of study will be done. If CR or PR, the patient will continue AZT for 1 year. If there is no change or progression of disease, or if the patient develops evidence of systemic lymphomatous disease, patient will be taken off study.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

45

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Louisiana
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, 70112
        • Tulane Med. Ctr. - Charity Hosp. of New Orleans, ACTU

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria

  • Patient must have negative titers for toxoplasmosis or other infectious etiology for CNS disease.

Prior Medication:

Allowed:

  • Zidovudine may be continued per protocol specifications.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Pathologic diagnosis of lymphoma in central nervous system (CNS) must be confirmed but no previous treatment is allowed. In participating institutions where CNS biopsies cannot be obtained, the patient may be considered eligible if space-occupying lesions have been demonstrated on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging with negative titers for toxoplasmosis or negative response to empiric therapy for intracerebral toxoplasmosis and negative workup for other infectious etiology of CNS disease.

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following are excluded:

  • Positive titers for toxoplasmosis. Positive titers for other infectious etiology of CNS disease. Acute intercurrent infection. A second active tumor other than nonmelanomatous skin cancer or Kaposi's sarcoma. Lymphomatous meningitis alone without a mass lesion in the brain.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

  • Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory agents, and corticosteroids other than dexamethasone.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

  • Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and corticosteroids other than dexamethasone.
  • Excluded within 2 weeks of study entry:
  • Immunomodulating agents.
  • Excluded within 30 days of study entry:
  • Any investigational agent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Levine AM

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Completion (Actual)

March 1, 1990

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 2, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2001

First Posted (Estimate)

August 31, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

October 28, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 27, 2021

Last Verified

October 1, 2021

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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