Intrathecal methotrexate in combination with systemic chemotherapy in glioblastoma patients with leptomeningeal dissemination: A retrospective analysis

Table 2 Patients’ characteristics at the time of the leptomeningeal disease diagnosis

Variable	N (%)
Patient	26 (100)
Time from GBM diagnosis to develop of LMD (months)
Median (range)	9.3 (0.7-41.4)
KPS at LMD diagnosis
≤ 60	12 (46.2)
> 60	14 (53.8)
Common presenting symptoms
Headache	12 (46.2)
None	6 (23.1)
Backache	4 (15.4)
Lower extremity weakness	3 (11.5)
Visual changes	1 (3.8)
MRI positive characteristics
Subarachnoid and ventricular Spinal cord	10 (38.5)16 (61.5)
CSF cytology for malignant cells
Yes	13 (50)
No	13 (50)
The content of total protein in the CSF (mg/fL)a
Median (range)	149.2 (21.6-1600.3)
15-45	2 (7.7)
> 45	21 (80.8)
Ommaya reservoir implant
Yes	20 (76.9)
No	6 (23.1)
Intrathecal injection chemotherapy
MTX	26 (100)
Systemic chemotherapy
TMZ	5 (19.2)
TMZ + DDP	8 (30.8)
vp-16 + CBP	13 (50)
Bevacizumab
Yes	8 (28.6)
No	18 (71.4)
Cycles of intrathecal injection and systemic chemotherapy
Median (range)	4 (1-8)
< 4	13 (50)
≥ 4	13 (50)
Gastrointestinal toxicity (grade)b
1	17 (65.4)
2	7 (26.9)
3	2 (7.7)
Myelotoxicity
< 3	19 (73.1)
3-4	7 (26.9)

^aThree patients CSF protein dates were lost. The tumors were within 1 cm of the ventricular system, or the ventricular system was open during the operation.

^bToxicity was determined by grading standard for toxic and side effects of chemotherapy drugs.

GBM: Glioblastoma; CSF: Cerebral spinal fluid; LMD: Leptomeningeal disease; KPS: Karnofsky performance status; MTX: Methotrexate; DDP: Cisplatin; CBP: Carboplatin; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging.