arsenic trioxide + temozolomide

Arsenic trioxide + temozolomide is an investigational combination therapy composed of two small molecule drugs, arsenic trioxide and temozolomide. Arsenic trioxide is an FDA-approved agent for acute promyelocytic leukemia that induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in various tumor types, including gliomas. Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent widely used as standard chemotherapy for malignant gliomas such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The combination has been studied primarily in the context of high-grade gliomas, especially GBM, often alongside radiation therapy. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest that the combination may have synergistic antitumor effects by enhancing DNA damage and apoptosis in tumor cells. However, clinical trials to date have not demonstrated a significant improvement in overall survival compared to standard regimens with temozolomide alone[1][6][4]. The regimen remains under investigation for its potential benefit in specific molecular subtypes of GBM.