Comparing Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Oligodendrogliomas
Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results
3.1. Study Selection
3.2. Treatment Efficacy Profiles
3.2.1. Evidence Profile of IDH Inhibitors
3.2.2. Evidence Profile of PCV Chemotherapy
3.3. Current Treatment Guidelines
3.4. Treatment Toxicity Profiles
3.4.1. Toxicity Profile of IDH Inhibitors
3.4.2. Toxicity Profile of PCV Chemotherapy
3.5. Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes
3.6. Resistance Mechanisms and Clinical Implementation
3.6.1. IDH Inhibitors
3.6.2. PCV Chemotherapy
3.7. Limitations of Current Evidence
4. Discussion
4.1. Efficacy Contextualization
4.2. Impact of Study Design Heterogeneity on Interpretation
4.3. Toxicity and Patient-Reported Outcome Gaps
4.4. Biomarker-Driven Selection
4.5. Our Clinical and Scientific Recommendations Based on Existing Data
4.5.1. Clinical Decision Framework
- For MGMT methylated tumors in patients with a good performance status: PCV plus radiation remains strongly recommended per the 2025 ASCO-SNO guidelines given the proven OS benefit.
- For patients where radiation/chemotherapy has been deferred and not indicated postoperatively: Vorasidenib may be offered (conditional recommendation 1.2.1) based on INDIGO trial.
- For MGMT unmethylated tumors or patients with poor PCV tolerance: Consider IDH inhibitor, acknowledging uncertain long-term benefits.
- For non-enhancing disease meeting the INDIGO criteria: Discuss both options, emphasizing PCV’s proven OS versus IDH inhibitor’s tolerability.
- For patients with enhancement or grade 3 disease: No vorasidenib recommendation; PCV plus radiation remains standard.
- For progression post-PCV: IDH inhibitor reasonable given different mechanism of action.
- For progression post-IDH inhibitor: Limited data; consider PCV if previously untreated.
4.5.2. Agenda for Future Research
- Head-to-head randomized trial comparing IDH inhibitors versus PCV (phase III, n = 500, primary endpoint OS, projected completion 2032).
- Standardized PRO collection using EORTC QLQ-C30/BN20 in all trials (implementation feasible immediately).
- Optimal sequencing trial: upfront IDH inhibitor→PCV versus PCV→IDH inhibitor (phase II, n = 200, projected completion 2030).
- Biomarker-driven patient selection beyond MGMT status (multi-institutional discovery cohort, n = 1000, validation n = 500).
- Long-term neurocognitive outcomes (longitudinal cohort with annual testing, n = 300, 10-year follow-up).
- Cost-effectiveness modeling incorporating quality-adjusted life year analyses (decision analysis study).
- Combination strategies (phase I/II dose-finding, multiple arms).
- Enhancement status validation as predictive biomarker (imaging-stratified trial, n = 150).
- Resistance mechanism characterization from clinical samples (translational study embedded in trials).
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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| Study | Treatment | Population (Gliomas) | Median PFS | Median OS | ORR | DCR | Study Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellinghoff et al., 2023 [10] | Vorasidenib vs. Placebo | n = 331 (Oligo = 172) | 27.7 vs. 11.1 mo | NR | 10.7% vs. 2.5% | 94.0% vs. 91.4% | Phase III RCT (ongoing) | Included both oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma patients; efficacy consistent across histologies. |
| Mellinghoff et al., 2021 [11] | Vorasidenib | n = 52 (Oligo = 16) (22 non-enh; 30 enh) | 36.8 mo (non-enh); 3.6 mo (enh) | NR | ORR: 18.2% (non-enh); 0% (enh) | non-enh: 90.9%; enh: 56.7% | Phase I | Non-enhancing tumors had better outcomes. |
| Mellinghoff et al., 2020 [12] | Ivosidenib | n = 66 total (Oligo ≥ 3) (35 non-enh; 31 enh) | 13.6 mo (non-enh); 1.4 mo (enh) | NR | 2.9% (non-enh) 0% (enh) | 88.6% (non-enh) 45.2% (enh) | Phase I | Non-enhancing tumors had better outcomes. |
| Lanman et al., 2024 [13] | Ivosidenib | n = 74 total (Oligo = 39) | 31 mo | NR | 7.7% | 82% | Retrospective | Non-enhancing better outcomes. |
| Cairncross et al., 1994 [14] | PCV | n = 24 oligo | 16.3 mo | NR | 75% | 92% | Prospective phase II | High initial response rate. |
| EORTC 26951 [15] | RT vs. RT + PCV | Phase III; n = 368 anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors (1p/19q-codeleted = 80) | 13.2 vs. 24.3 | 30.6 vs. 42.3 | NR | NR | Phase III RCT | Long-term survival benefit. |
| RTOG 9402 [16] | RT vs. RT + PCV | n = 291 AO/AOA (known codeleted: 59) | 2.9 vs. 8.4 y (specifically codeleted) | 7.3 y vs. 14.7 y | NR | NR | Phase III RCT | Codeleted subgroup favored PCV. |
| Weller et al., 2021 [17] | PCV, TMZ, Surgery, or Wait and Scan | n = 142 Oligos (PCV n = 30) | PCV: 9.1 y | NR | NR | ~100% (PCV) | Retrospective cohort | PCV group showed the longest PFS. |
| Kacimi et al., 2025 [18] | RT + PCV vs. RT + TMZ | n = 305 Oligo | 10 yr PFS: 67% (PCV) vs. 35% (TMZ) | 10 yr OS: 72% (PCV) vs. 60% (TMZ) | NR | NR | Prospective observational | PCV/RT significantly improved OS and PFS. |
| Gonzalez-Aguilar et al., 2018 [19] | RT + PCV vs. RT + TMZ | n = 48 Oligo | PCV: 7.2 y; TMZ: 6.1 y | PCV: 10.6 y; TMZ: 9.2 y | PCV: 80.9%, TMZ: 70.3% | NR | Retrospective | PCV/RT significantly improved OS and PFS. |
| Wick et al., 2016 (NOA-04) [20] | Initial RT vs. initial PCV vs. initial TMZ | n = 274 anaplastic gliomas (Oligo = 68) | RT: 8.67 y; PCV: 9.4 y; TMZ: 4.46 y | RT: n/r (9.95–n/r); PCV: n/r (8.19–n/r) y; TMZ: 8.09 y | NR | NR | Phase III RCT | In IDH-mut/1p19q-codel tumors, PCV showed longer PFS than TMZ. |
| Study | Treatment | Population Gliomas | Grade ≥ 3 AE Rate | Common AEs | Discontinuation Rate | Evidence Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellinghoff et al., 2023 [10] | Vorasidenib vs. Placebo | Oligo n = 172 | 22.8% vs. 13.5% | LT ↑, AST ↑, GGT ↑ | 31.5% (Vora) vs. 57.1% (Placebo) | Phase III RCT | Mostly liver enzyme elevations |
| Mellinghoff et al., 2020 [12] | Ivosidenib | n = 66 total (Oligo ≥ 3) (35 non-enh; 31 enh) | 19.7% overall | Headache, Nausea, Fatigue, Vomiting, etc. | 77.3% | Phase I | Most stopped due to progression |
| De La Fuente et al., 2022 [22] | Olutasidenib | n = 26 (Oligo = 6) | 42% | Nausea, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Vomiting, etc. | 77% | Phase Ib/II Prospective clinical trial | 50% dropped out of study due to death |
| Natsume et al., 2022 [23] | DS-100 | n = 47 (Oligo = 15) | 42.6% | Skin hyperpigmentation, diarrhea, pruritus, etc. | 83% | Phase I dose-escalation | Many discontinued due to progression |
| Lanman et al., 2024 [13] | Ivosidenib | n = 74 (Oligo = 39) | 8% | Elevated CK, QTc prolongation, diarrhea, transaminitis | 1% | Retrospective | Well tolerated |
| EORTC 26951 [15] | RT vs. RT + PCV | Phase III; n = 368 anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors (1p/19q-codeleted = 80) | Greater than or equal to 32% | Neutropenia, Thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea, etc. | 52% PCV discontinued | Phase III RCT | Phase III RCT |
| RTOG 9402 [16] | RT vs. RT + PCV | n = 291 AO/AOA (known codeleted: 59) | 65% | Acute myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia), cognitive or mood change, peripheral/autonomic neuropathy, intractable vomiting, hepatic dysfunction, and severe allergic rash | 70% PCV discontinued | Phase III RCT | Phase III RCT |
| Rincon-Torroella et al., 2024 [24] | RT + PCV vs. RT + TMZ vs. RT | n = 277 oligodendroglioma | NR | Peripheral neuropathy, thrombocytopenia leukopenia, rash | 0% fully discontinued (PCV) | Retrospective cohort | Many modifications but no full discontinuations in PCV group. ~75% required PCV dose adjustment |
| Tabouret et al., 2015 [25] | PCV | n = 89 (Oligo = 64) | 46% | Anemia Thrombocytopenia Neutropenia | 61.8% | Retrospective | Toxicity-driven discontinuation negatively impacted survival (HR = 5.09) |
| Gonzalez-Aguilar et al., 2018 [19] | RT + PCV vs. RT + TMZ | n = 48 Oligo | PCV: 42.8% vs. TMZ: 11.1% | Leukopenia thrombocytopenia, etc. | PCV: 57.2%, TMZ: 19.8% | Retrospective | PCV group had higher hematologic toxicity, leading to lower completion rate |
| Ahn et al., 2022 [26] | PC vs. PCV | n = 59, Oligo = 9) | PCV: ≥70.4% vs. PC: ≥20% | Anemia, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy (only in PCV group), etc. | PCV: 68.2% vs. PC: 26.7% | Single-institution retrospective | Lower toxicity with PC vs. PCV, but also potential efficacy differences |
| Study | Treatment | Population | Resistance Factor | Evidence Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellinghoff et al., 2021 [11] | Vorasidenib | Phase I; n = 52 total (Oligo = 16) | Possible isoform switching or incomplete 2-HG suppression | Early-phase clinical data | PFS differed by tumor enhancement status |
| Mellinghoff et al., 2020 [12] | Ivosidenib | Phase I; n = 66 total (Oligo ≥ 3) | Co-mutations in cell-cycle genes shorten PFS in non-enhancing gliomas | Exploratory biomarker analysis | Non-enhancing tumors fared better |
| Natsume et al., 2022 [23] | DS-1001 | Phase I; n = 47 gliomas (15 Oligo) | Not clearly identified secondary mutation; drug retained 2-HG suppression | Phase I trial w/correlative data | Partial data on resistance |
| Spitzer et al., 2024 [27] | Ivosidenib/Vorasidenib | Preclinical and translational (n = 7 + in vivo) (3 oligos) | NOTCH1 mutation dampened differentiation response | Preclinical/translational | Astrocytic differentiation rescue overcame partial inhibitor resistance |
| EORTC 26951 [15] | RT vs. RT + PCV | Phase III; n = 368 anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors (1p/19q-codeleted = 80) | Oligodendrogliomas showed little OS/PFS gain→relative resistance to PCV | Phase III RCT | Benefit restricted to codeleted subset; PCV toxicity limited full 6-cycle completion |
| RTOG 9402 [16] | RT vs. RT + PCV | n = 291 AO/AOA (known codeleted: 59) | 1p/19q-intact oligodendrogliomas derived no OS benefit from PCV→RT (OS 2.6 y vs. 2.7 y) | Phase III RCT | Confirms codeletion as predictive; intact tumors relatively resistant |
| NOA-04 (Wick et al., 2016) [20] | PCV vs. TMZ vs. RT | n = 274 anaplastic gliomas (Oligo = 68) | Unmethylated MGMT promoter in IDH-wild-type/CIMP-negative tumors→limited benefit from alkylating chemotherapy | Phase III RCT w/subgroups | Better prognosis in IDH-mut/codel; resistance in IDH-wt/CIMP-neg |
| Van den Bent et al., 1998 [28] | PCV (Standard vs. Intensif.) | Recurrent Oligo/OA post-radiation (n = 52) | Early relapse (<1 yr after initial surgery ± RT)→low CR/PR rate (~25%) to PCV | Retrospective multicenter | Suggests chemo-resistance in early relapse |
| Study | Treatment | Identified Gap/Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| All IDH Inhibitor Trials | Vorasidenib, Ivosidenib, etc. | No direct PCV comparison; long-term OS data lacking; limited resistance data |
| RTOG 9402/EORTC 26951 [8] | RT + PCV | No IDH inhibitors studied; biomarker data limited; focused only on RT + PCV |
| Bell et al., 2020 [37] | RT ± PCV | Focused on high-risk LGG; post hoc IDH/codel analysis; side effect data limited |
| Lanman et al., 2024 [13] | Ivosidenib (retrospective) | Retrospective; possible selection bias; no OS data; inconsistent assessments |
| Tabouret et al., 2015 [25] | PCV (retrospective) | Multicenter; no comparison to TMZ/IDH inhibitors; retrospective toxicity reporting |
| Natsume et al., 2022 [23] | DS-1001 (phase I) | No biomarker analysis for resistance; small sample; early-phase design |
| NOA-04 (Wick et al., 2016) [20] | RT→chemo vs. chemo→RT (PCV/TMZ) | Randomization not specific to Oligo; subgroup lacked power |
| All PCV vs. TMZ Comparisons | PCV ± RT vs. TMZ ± RT | Retrospective; no RCTs in pure 1p/19q-codel, IDH-mut Oligos; toxicity underreported |
| Spitzer et al., 2024 [27] | Preclinical IDH inhibitors | Small tumor line sample |
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Duran, G.; Pichardo-Rojas, D.; Ali, A.H.; Passias, P.; Downes, A.; Ray, W.Z.; Zipfel, G.J.; Shakir, H.J.; Bauer, A.; Jea, A.; et al. Comparing Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Oligodendrogliomas. Cancers 2025, 17, 3880. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17233880
Duran G, Pichardo-Rojas D, Ali AH, Passias P, Downes A, Ray WZ, Zipfel GJ, Shakir HJ, Bauer A, Jea A, et al. Comparing Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Oligodendrogliomas. Cancers. 2025; 17(23):3880. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17233880
Chicago/Turabian StyleDuran, Gerardo, Diego Pichardo-Rojas, Ahmed Hashim Ali, Peter Passias, Angela Downes, Wilson Z. Ray, Gregory J. Zipfel, Hakeem J. Shakir, Andrew Bauer, Andrew Jea, and et al. 2025. "Comparing Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Oligodendrogliomas" Cancers 17, no. 23: 3880. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17233880
APA StyleDuran, G., Pichardo-Rojas, D., Ali, A. H., Passias, P., Downes, A., Ray, W. Z., Zipfel, G. J., Shakir, H. J., Bauer, A., Jea, A., Dunn, I. F., Zuccato, J. A., Graffeo, C. S., & Janjua, M. B. (2025). Comparing Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors with Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Chemotherapy for Oligodendrogliomas. Cancers, 17(23), 3880. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17233880

