Parallel Multichannel Assessment of Rotationally Manipulated Magnetic Nanoparticles.

Background: Rotational manipulation of chains or clusters of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offers a means for directed translation and payload delivery that should be explored for clinical use. Multiple MNP types are available, yet few studies have performed side-by-side comparisons to evaluate characteristics such as velocity, movement at a distance, and capacity for drug conveyance or dispersion.

Purpose: Our goal was to design, build, and study an electric device allowing simultaneous, multichannel testing (e.

Soft Capsule Magnetic Millirobots for Region-Specific Drug Delivery in the Central Nervous System.

Small soft robotic systems are being explored for myriad applications in medicine. Specifically, magnetically actuated microrobots capable of remote manipulation hold significant potential for the targeted delivery of therapeutics and biologicals. Much of previous efforts on microrobotics have been dedicated to locomotion in aqueous environments and hard surfaces.

Harnessing cerebrospinal fluid circulation for drug delivery to brain tissues.

Initially thought to be useful only to reach tissues in the immediate vicinity of the CSF circulatory system, CSF circulation is now increasingly viewed as a viable pathway to deliver certain therapeutics deeper into brain tissues. There is emerging evidence that this goal is achievable in the case of large therapeutic proteins, provided conditions are met that are described herein. We show how fluid dynamic modeling helps predict infusion rate and duration to overcome high CSF turnover.

Targeted sonodynamic destruction of glioblastoma cells using antibody-titanium dioxide nanoparticle conjugates.

We present data on sonodynamic therapy (SDT) against glioblastoma cells utilizing titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles conjugated to anti-EGFR antibody. TiO nanoparticles were bound to anti-EGFR antibody to form antibody-nanoparticle conjugates (ANCs), then characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cells underwent ultrasound and assessment on viability, reactive oxygen species and apoptosis were performed.

Etoposide-Bound Magnetic Nanoparticles Designed for Remote Targeting of Cancer Cells Disseminated Within Cerebrospinal Fluid Pathways.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have potential for enhancing drug delivery in selected cancer patients, including those which have cells that have disseminated within cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathways. Here, we present data related to the creation and use of new two-part MNPs consisting of magnetic gold-iron alloy cores which have streptavidin binding sites, and are coated with biotinylated etoposide. Etoposide was chosen due to its previous use in the CSF and ease of biotinylation.

Cerebral Microdialysis as a Tool for Assessing the Delivery of Chemotherapy in Brain Tumor Patients.

The development of curative treatment for glioblastoma has been extremely challenging. Chemotherapeutic agents that have seemed promising have failed in clinical trials. Drugs that can successfully target cancer cells within the brain must first traverse the brain interstitial fluid.

Rotating Magnetic Nanoparticle Clusters as Microdevices for Drug Delivery.

Background: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) hold promise for enhancing delivery of therapeutic agents, either through direct binding or by functioning as miniature propellers. Fluid-filled conduits and reservoirs within the body offer avenues for MNP-enhanced drug delivery. MNP clusters can be rotated and moved across surfaces at clinically relevant distances in response to a rotating magnet.

An in vitro Model System for Evaluating Remote Magnetic Nanoparticle Movement and Fibrinolysis.

Background: Thrombotic events continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and other thrombotic disorders. Use of tPA is limited by its narrow therapeutic time window, hemorrhagic complications, and insufficient delivery to the location of the thrombus.

Tumor Development and Angiogenesis in Adult Brain Tumor: Glioblastoma.

Angiogenesis is the growth of new capillaries from the preexisting blood vessels. Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors are highly vascularized tumors, and glioma growth depends on the formation of new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a complex process involving proliferation, migration, and differentiation of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) under the stimulation of specific signals.

MicroRNAs in glioblastoma pathogenesis and therapy: A comprehensive review.

Glioblastoma (GBM), also known as grade IV astrocytoma, is the most aggressive primary intracranial tumor of the adult brain. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNA species, have critical functions across various biological processes. A great deal of progress has been made recently in dissecting miRNA pathways associated with the pathogenesis of GBM.

Association between hospital volume and receipt of treatment and survival in patients with glioblastoma.

The relation between hospital volume and outcomes for patients with glioblastoma is unknown. We undertook this study to determine the effect of hospital volume on treatment received and its effect on survival in patients with glioblastoma. We included patients from the National Cancer Database diagnosed with a glioblastoma from 2006 to 2013.

Intramedullary amputation neuroma: a case report and review of the literature.

Background And Importance: Amputation neuromas consist of non-neoplastic collections of myelinated axons and Schwann cells and typically arise in injured peripheral nerves. Rarely, however, neuromas occur within the spinal cord. Intramedullary amputation neuromas have been described both with and without a history of trauma within the peripheral nervous system.

A fractional motion diffusion model for grading pediatric brain tumors.

Objectives: To demonstrate the feasibility of a novel fractional motion (FM) diffusion model for distinguishing low- versus high-grade pediatric brain tumors; and to investigate its possible advantage over apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and/or a previously reported continuous-time random-walk (CTRW) diffusion model.

Materials And Methods: With approval from the institutional review board and written informed consents from the legal guardians of all participating patients, this study involved 70 children with histopathologically-proven brain tumors (30 low-grade and 40 high-grade). Multi--value diffusion images were acquired and analyzed using the FM, CTRW, and mono-exponential diffusion models.

An analysis of prognostic factors associated with recurrence in the treatment of atypical meningiomas.

Background: There has been increased reporting of atypical meningioma (grade II) since the World Health Organization reclassification in 2000, and the use of postoperative radiation therapy (RT) in the treatment of these tumors is controversial. We evaluated patients treated at our institution to identify patient subgroups with increased risk of recurrence that may benefit from adjuvant RT.

Methods And Materials: We retrospectively assessed 50 patients treated for World Health Organization grade II meningiomas between March 2000 and February 2013.

Maintenance Therapy With Tumor-Treating Fields Plus Temozolomide vs Temozolomide Alone for Glioblastoma: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Glioblastoma is the most devastating primary malignancy of the central nervous system in adults. Most patients die within 1 to 2 years of diagnosis. Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are a locoregionally delivered antimitotic treatment that interferes with cell division and organelle assembly.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors: a review of current and future treatment strategies.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors have low incidence rates but are associated with difficult treatment options. The majority of patients with these tumors can be initially treated with an attempted resection. Unfortunately, those patients who cannot undergo gross-total resection or have subtotal resection are left with few treatment options, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Current status of intratumoral therapy for glioblastoma.

With emerging drug delivery technologies becoming accessible, more options are expected to become available to patients with glioblastoma (GBM) in the near future. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with the underlying mechanisms and limitations of intratumoral drug delivery, and direction of recent research efforts. Tumor-adjacent brain is an extremely complex living matrix that creates challenges with normal tissue intertwining with tumor cells.

Response assessment of NovoTTF-100A versus best physician's choice chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma.

The NovoTTF-100A device emits frequency-tuned alternating electric fields that interfere with tumor cell mitosis. In phase III trial for recurrent glioblastomas, NovoTTF-100A was shown to have equivalent efficacy and less toxicity when compared to Best Physician's Choice (BPC) chemotherapy. We analyzed the characteristics of responders and nonresponders in both cohorts to determine the characteristics of response and potential predictive factors.

Delayed response and survival from NovoTTF-100A in recurrent GBM.

We present a 48-year-old male with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) who was enrolled in the NovoTTF-100A landmark phase III study and has been on device for >6 years. During this time, his magnetic resonance images demonstrated initial growth followed by a slow decrease in enhancement with continued residual disease. Long-term survivors in patients with recurrent GBM are rare, especially in the absence of definitive local treatment such as surgery or radiosurgery.

Primary CNS germ cell tumors in Japan and the United States: an analysis of 4 tumor registries.

Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are relatively rare. Their incidence has been considered to be higher in East Asia than in the United States. This study estimates the incidence of CNS GCTs in Japan and the United States, investigates gender discrepancies in each country, and describes treatment outcomes.

NovoTTF-100A versus physician's choice chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma: a randomised phase III trial of a novel treatment modality.

Purpose: NovoTTF-100A is a portable device delivering low-intensity, intermediate frequency electric fields via non-invasive, transducer arrays. Tumour Treatment Fields (TTF), a completely new therapeutic modality in cancer treatment, physically interfere with cell division.

Methods: Phase III trial of chemotherapy-free treatment of NovoTTF (20-24h/day) versus active chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Unusual CNS presentation of thyroid cancer.

As advanced therapies allow cancer patients to live longer, disease failure in the central nervous system increases from limited therapeutic penetration. Primary thyroid malignancies rarely metastasize to the brain and have a small number of investigations in literature on the subject. The majority of brain metastases involve the brain parenchyma, reflecting the mass and blood distribution within the brain and central nervous system.

Clinical presentation, histology, and treatment in 430 patients with primary tumors of the spinal cord, spinal meninges, or cauda equina.

OBJECT Patients having a primary tumor of the spinal cord, spinal meninges or cauda equina, are relatively rare. Neurosurgeons encounter and treat such patients, and need to be aware of their clinical presentation, tumor types, treatment options, and potential complications. The purpose of this paper is to report results from a series of 430 patients with primary intraspinal tumors, taken from a larger cohort of 9661 patients with primary tumors of the CNS.