Higher incidences of thrombocytopaenia, lymphocytopaenia and leukopaenia observed in glioblastoma patients treated with more than six cycles of adjuvant-phase temozolomide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Six cycles of temozolomide is the standard adjuvant-phase therapy for patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma after surgery and concomitant chemo-radiotherapy . Nevertheless, if well-tolerated, adjuvant-phase temozolomide is often continued beyond six cycles. While it remains inconclusive whether prolonged adjuvant-phase temozolomide improves survival, the haematological toxicities associated with lengthening the adjuvant therapy remained understudied.