Glioblastoma · Radiation Oncology
Stupp / EORTC-NCIC
Does adding concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide to postoperative radiotherapy improve survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma?
Population
573 adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma or gliosarcoma after surgery
2-year OS
26.5% vs 10.4%
Absolute improvement 16.1 points; NNT 7
Median OS
14.6 vs 12.1 months
HR 0.63
Grade 3–4 haematologic toxicity
7% vs 0%
NNH 15
Absolute Effect
NNT: 7, based on 2-year overall survival. Approximately one additional patient was alive at two years for every seven treated with temozolomide plus radiotherapy.
NNH: 15, based on grade 3–4 haematologic toxicity. The severe-haematologic toxicity increment was about seven percentage points.
Clinical interpretation
The Stupp regimen transformed postoperative glioblastoma treatment. The absolute two-year survival gain is large enough to establish concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide as a foundational treatment rather than a marginal statistical improvement.
Primary source
Stupp R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:987–996.