Neuro-Oncology

Penicillamine is an oral agent used to treat intracerebral copper overload in Wilson’s disease. Copper is a known regulator of angiogenesis; copper reduction inhibits experimental glioma growth and invasiveness. This study examined the feasibility, safety, and effi cacy of creating a copper defi ciency in human glioblastoma multiforme. Forty eligible patients with newly diagnosed glioblas-toma multiforme began radiation therapy (6000 cGy in 30 fractions) in conjunction with a low-copper diet and escalating doses of penicillamine. Serum copper was mea-sured at baseline and monthly. The primary end point of Phase 2 trial of copper depletion and penicillamine as antiangiogenesis therapy of glioblastoma1,