Eribulin in brain metastases of breast cancer: outcomes of the EBRAIM prospective observational trial.

 Eribulin shows some activity in controlling brain metastasis in breast cancer. This observational, multicenter study evaluated brain disease control rates, survival and safety in patients with brain metastatic breast cancer treated with eribulin in clinical practice.  A total of 34 patients were enrolled (mean age 49 years, 91% with visceral metastases) and 29 were evaluable for brain disease.

Italian consensus and recommendations on diagnosis and treatment of low-grade gliomas. An intersociety (SINch/AINO/SIN) document.

In 2018, the SINch (Italian Society of Neurosurgery) Neuro-Oncology Section, AINO (Italian Association of Neuro-Oncology) and SIN (Italian Association of Neurology) Neuro-Oncology Section formed a collaborative Task Force to look at the diagnosis and treatment of low-grade gliomas (LGGs). The Task Force included neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuro-oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, a neuropsychologist and a methodologist. For operational purposes, the Task Force was divided into five Working Groups: diagnosis, surgical treatment, adjuvant treatments, supportive therapies, and follow-up.

Correction to: Efficacy of initial temozolomide for high‑risk low grade gliomas in a phase II AINO (Italian Association for Neuro‑Oncology) study: a post‑hoc analysis within molecular subgroups of WHO 2016.

The third and fourth authors' affiliation was incorrectly specified in the original publication. It is correctly shown here.

Efficacy of initial temozolomide for high-risk low grade gliomas in a phase II AINO (Italian Association for Neuro-Oncology) study: a post-hoc analysis within molecular subgroups of WHO 2016.

Introduction: The optimal management of high risk WHO grade II gliomas after surgery is debated including the role of initial temozolomide to delay radiotherapy and risk of cognitive defects.

Methods: A post-hoc analysis of a phase II multicenter study on high risk WHO grade II gliomas, receiving initial temozolomide alone, has re-evaluated the long-term results within the molecular subgroups of WHO 2016. The primary endpoint of the study was response according to RANO, being seizure response, PFS and OS secondary endpoints.

The kinase inhibitor SI113 induces autophagy and synergizes with quinacrine in hindering the growth of human glioblastoma multiforme cells.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), due to its location, aggressiveness, heterogeneity and infiltrative growth, is characterized by an exceptionally dismal clinical outcome. The small molecule SI113, recently identified as a SGK1 inhibitor, has proven to be effective in restraining GBM growth in vitro and in vivo, showing also encouraging results when employed in combination with other antineoplastic drugs or radiotherapy. Our aim was to explore the pharmacological features of SI113 in GBM cells in order to elucidate the pivotal molecular pathways affected by the drug.

A multicenter real-world study of bevacizumab in heavily pretreated malignant gliomas: clinical benefit is a plausible end point?

This multicenter, retrospective study evaluates the clinical benefit (CB) of bevacizumab, alone or in combination, in recurrent gliomas (RG).  The CB was measured as a reduction of corticosteroid dosage and an improvement ≥20 points in the Karnofsky Performance Status lasting ≥3 months. We collected data of 197 RG patients.

Comorbidities in elderly patients with glioblastoma: a field-practice study.

Aim: This single-center study evaluated the effect of comorbidities on progression-free and overall survival in elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Patients & Methods: Comorbid conditions were identified in each patient with the modified version of the cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS).

Results:  Total of 118 patients with GBM were enrolled.

A Survey on Pituitary Surgery in Italy.

Background: Pituitary tumors are a heterogeneous group of lesions that are usually benign. Therefore, a proper understanding of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology is mandatory to achieve favorable outcomes. Accordingly, diagnostic tests and treatment guidelines should be determined and implemented.

How is stereotactic brain biopsy evolving? A multicentric analysis of a series of 421 cases treated in Rome over the last sixteen years.

Objective: In recent decades, frame-based (FBB) and frame-less stereotactic brain biopsy (FLB) have played a crucial role in defining the diagnosis and management of expanding intracranial lesions in critical areas. During the same period, there have been significant advances in diagnostic imaging, a shift in surgical strategies towards extensive resection in gliomas and new molecular classification of brain tumors. Taking these advances into account, we have evaluated whether significant changes have occurred over the last sixteen years of our clinical practice in terms of frequency, indications, target selection, and the histologic results of stereotactic brain biopsy (SBB) procedures.

The role of surgical resection in patients with brain metastases.

Purpose Of Review: Treatment of brain metastases represent a critical issue and different options have to be considered according to patients and tumour characteristics; in recent years, new therapeutic strategies have been proposed. In this review, we discuss the role of surgical resection on the basis of patient selection, new surgical techniques and the use of intraoperative adjuncts. The integration with postoperative whole brain radiotherapy will be also outlined because alternative treatment options are currently available.

Overexpression of syndecan-1, MUC-1, and putative stem cell markers in breast cancer leptomeningeal metastasis: a cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry study.

Background: Cancer is a mosaic of tumor cell subpopulations, where only a minority is responsible for disease recurrence and cancer invasiveness. We focused on one of the most aggressive circulating tumor cells (CTCs) which, from the primitive tumor, spreads to the central nervous system (CNS), evaluating the expression of prognostic and putative cancer stem cell markers in breast cancer (BC) leptomeningeal metastasis (LM).

Methods: Flow cytometry immunophenotypic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (4.

Diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases from solid tumors: guidelines from the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO).

The management of patients with brain metastases has become a major issue due to the increasing frequency and complexity of the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In 2014, the European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) created a multidisciplinary Task Force to draw evidence-based guidelines for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors. Here, we present these guidelines, which provide a consensus review of evidence and recommendations for diagnosis by neuroimaging and neuropathology, staging, prognostic factors, and different treatment options.

Monitoring the Response of Hyperbilirubinemia in the Mouse Brain by In Vivo Bioluminescence Imaging.

Increased levels of unconjugated bilirubin are neurotoxic, but the mechanism leading to neurological damage has not been completely elucidated. Innovative strategies of investigation are needed to more precisely define this pathological process. By longitudinal in vivo bioluminescence imaging, we noninvasively visualized the brain response to hyperbilirubinemia in the MITO-Luc mouse, in which light emission is restricted to the regions of active cell proliferation.

Temozolomide low-dose chemotherapy in newly diagnosed low-grade gliomas: activity, safety, and long-term follow-up.

Purpose: To explore the efficacy and toxicity of an extended schedule of temozolomide (50 mg/mq 1 week on/1 week off) in a population of newly diagnosed low-grade gliomas (LGG).

Methods: Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 and 24 months and response rate evaluated with Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Criteria. Secondary endpoints were clinical benefit (reduction of seizures frequency), reduction of steroid, and modifications of Karnofsky Performance Status.

Brain stereotactic biopsy flow cytometry for central nervous system lymphoma characterization: advantages and pitfalls.

Background: Brain stereotactic biopsy (SB) followed by conventional histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the gold standard approach for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) diagnosis. Flow cytometry (FCM) characterization of fine-needle aspiration cytology and core needle biopsies are increasingly utilized to diagnose lymphomas however, no biological data have been published on FCM characterization of fresh single cell suspension from PCNSL SB. The aim of this study was to establish the feasibility and utility of FCM for the diagnosis and characterization of brain lymphomas from a tissue samples obtained by a single SB disaggregation.

A restricted signature of serum miRNAs distinguishes glioblastoma from lower grade gliomas.

Background: Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults and challenging cancers for diagnosis and treatment. They remain a disease for which non-invasive, diagnostic and/or prognostic novel biomarkers are highly desirable. Altered microRNA (miRNA) profiles have been observed in tumor tissues and biological fluids.

Spine Surgery in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Pathologic or iatrogenic symptomatic spinal lesions are common in metastatic breast cancer. Given the longer duration of overall survival provided by modern oncologic therapies, a prompt and effective treatment of such lesions may have a significant impact on patient's quality of life, improving pain and preventing deterioration of neurologic functions.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on patients with breast cancer operated to the spine between 2005 and 2013.

Early biomarkers from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict the response to antiangiogenic therapy in high-grade gliomas.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate whether early changes in tumor volume and perfusion measurements derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) may predict response to antiangiogenic therapy in recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients who received bevacizumab every 3 weeks were enrolled in the study. For each patient, three MRI scans were performed: at baseline, after the first dose, and after the fourth dose of bevacizumab.

The Prognostic Value of Pyrosequencing-Detected MGMT Promoter Hypermethylation in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Glioblastoma.

O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) has emerged as a relevant predictor of therapeutic response and good prognosis in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). Transcriptionally active MGMT rapidly removes the alkyl adducts, preventing the formation of cross-links and thereby causing resistance to alkylating drugs. Studies with pyrosequencing (PSQ) showed that this technique has a higher reproducibility and sensitivity than other techniques.

The Role of PET [18F]FDOPA in Evaluating Low-grade Glioma.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[(18)F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine ([(18)F]-FDOPA) positron-emission tomography (PET) in predicting the risk of radiological progression of disease in patients affected by low-grade glioma.

Patients And Methods: Patients affected by grade II glioma were consecutively enrolled in a prospective observational study at the Department of Neurology of Regina Elena National Cancer Institute in Rome, Italy. At enrolment, all patients underwent PET [(18)F]-FDOPA and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and clinical and radiological assessments with MRI every six months to evaluate the progression of disease.

A differentially expressed set of microRNAs in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) can diagnose CNS malignancies.

Central Nervous System malignancies often require stereotactic biopsy or biopsy for differential diagnosis, and for tumor staging and grading. Furthermore, stereotactic biopsy can be non-diagnostic or underestimate grading. Hence, there is a compelling need of new diagnostic biomarkers to avoid such invasive procedures.

Brain tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV-positive patient: a biopsy-proven case.

The case of an HIV-infected man from Eritrea previously diagnosed with tuberculosis, who presented neurological impairment and cerebral lesion after having voluntarily stopped anti-tubercular and antiretroviral therapies, is here reported. Treatments associated with steroids and mannitol were administered. The patient's condition improved, but neuroimaging showed a continuous worsening of the lesion, while a great immunological reconstitution was observed.

Factors affecting ¹⁸F FDOPA standardized uptake value in patients with primary brain tumors after treatment.

Aim: To investigate the factors affecting (18)F FDOPA uptake in patients with primary brain tumors (PBT) after treatment.

Materials And Methods: 97 patients with PBT (6 were grade I, 40 were grade II, 29 were grade III and 22 were grade IV) underwent (18)F FDOPA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) after treatment. Intervals from surgery, chemotherapy (CHT) and radiotherapy (RT) were 41.

Weight of epilepsy in brain tumor patients.

About 20-40% of patients with brain tumor have seizures; all of whom must be treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that can cause side effects which may influence quality of life (QoL). However, little data are available regarding the weight of epilepsy on QoL in brain tumor (BT) patients, despite the fact that epilepsy is considered the most important risk factor for long-term disability in this patient population. Aim of this study is to explore the weight of epilepsy in BT patients, and to identify which factors might contribute to their epilepsy burden, as expressed by them only at their first visit in a specialized epilepsy center, in order to have a snapshot for that moment in their care cycle.