Methadone

Property	Information
Drug Name	Methadone (D,L-methadone)
FDA Approval	Yes (for pain management and replacement therapy for addiction)
Used for	Investigational use in glioblastoma treatment for its chemosensitizing effects
Clinical Trial Phase	Preclinical studies and a retrospective safety and tolerability study in glioma patients
Clinical Trial Explanation	Not specified
Common Side Effects	Nausea, constipation (obstipation); side effects commonly resolved after one month of therapy
OS without	Not specified in provided details
OS with	In a study with newly diagnosed GBM patients, progression-free survival at 6 months was 91% when methadone was added to the standard of care
PFS without	Not specified
PFS with	Significant in the context of preliminary findings from retrospective studies
Usefulness Rating	3
Usefulness Explanation	Not specified
Toxicity Level	2
Toxicity Explanation	The toxicity level for Methadone, when used for investigational purposes in treating glioblastoma, is relatively low. It is well-established for its use in pain management and replacement therapy for addiction, known to have common side effects such as nausea and constipation, which usually resolve after one month. It has been found to have potential as a chemosensitizer in glioma cells, meaning that it makes the cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy. However, this use is currently in the research and investigative stage. It's important to note that the side effects may vary among individuals, and adequate supervision from healthcare providers is necessary during administration of this treatment.

Notes: Methadone, primarily known for severe pain management and opioid replacement therapy, has demonstrated potential as a chemosensitizer in glioma cells through in vitro studies and mouse models. It exhibits this effect by inhibiting the activity of the DNA-repair enzyme MGMT and sensitizing cells to chemotherapy, along with blocking adenyl cyclase leading to decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins. Early clinical data suggest a positive impact on progression-free survival in glioblastoma patients when combined with standard treatments, although further research is needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.

From Ben Williams Book: Not specified

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