β-Elemene treatment of glioblastoma: a single-center retrospective study

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignancy in the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of beta-elemene (ELE) treatment in patients with newly diagnosed GBM who received concomitant chemoradiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide. Our results indicated that compared with control, patients who received ELE showed significantly longer median progression-free survival (PFS) (8 months vs 11 months; P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (18 months vs 21 months; P < 0.001). Despite the O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status, ELE treatment could significantly prolong the PFS (P=0.038) and OS (P=0.016). In multivariate analysis, ELE was a significant prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.34; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.15-0.62; P=0.011) and OS (HR, 0.31; 95% CI: 0.14-0.69; P=0.006). Furthermore, ELE could significantly reduce the hematologic toxicities induced by chemoradiotherapy. In conclusion, ELE might provide a survival benefit in patients with GBM. Further study for verification might be needed.