Promising outcome of patients with recurrent glioblastoma after Gamma Knife-based hypofractionated radiotherapy.

Background: The role of Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in recurrent glioblastoma remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of GKRS in a group of patients with recurrent glioblastoma, focusing on survival and safety.

Methods: Patients undergoing GKRS for recurrent glioblastoma between September 2014 and April 2019 were included in this study.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Modulates micro-RNA Levels in Patients with Brain Metastasis.

Background: The relation between micro-RNA (miRNA) modulation and immune cell activity in high-dose radiation settings is not clearly understood.

Objective: To investigate the role of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in (i) the regulation of tumorsuppressor and oncogenic miRNAs as well as (ii) its effect on specific immune cell subsets in patients with metastatic brain tumors (MBT).

Methods: 9 MBT patients who underwent gamma knife-based stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS) and 8 healthy individuals were included.

Malignant intracerebral nerve sheath tumor in a patient with Noonan syndrome: illustrative case.

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) within the neuroaxis are rare, usually arising from peripheral and cranial nerves. Even more scarce are cranial subclassifications of MPNSTs termed "malignant intracerebral nerve sheath tumors" (MINSTs). These tumors are aggressive, with a strong tendency for metastasis.

Thirteen-year long-term follow-up in a rare case of anaplastic astroblastoma: What makes the difference?

Background: Astroblastomas are uncommon neuroepithelial tumors of the central nervous system with a distinct, yet, controversial radiological, histological, and molecular profile. Debatable differences between low- and high-grade astroblastoma have been reported in the medical literature; indeed, despite the increasing relevance of molecular genetic profiling in the realm of astroblastoma, its application is still in its early stages. As a result, the diagnostic criteria for astroblastoma remain undecided with yet no real consensus on the most ideal management.

Improving on whole-brain radiotherapy in patients with large brain metastases: A planning study to support the AROMA clinical trial.

Purpose: To develop a novel dose-escalated volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) strategy for patients with single or multiple large brain metastases which can deliver a higher dose to individual lesions for better local control (LC), and to compare dosimetry between whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), hippocampal-sparing whole brain radiotherapy (HS-WBRT) and different VMAT-based focal radiotherapy approaches.

Methods And Materials: We identified 20 patients with one to ten brain metastases and at least one lesion larger than 15 cm who had received WBRT as part of routine care. For each patient, we designed and evaluated five radiotherapy treatment plans, including WBRT, HS-WBRT and three VMAT dosing models.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: synchronous presentations in the lung.

A 59-year-old male active smoker presented with a 6-month history of cough and breathlessness and was found to have a right upper lobe mass. Histology revealed this to be an adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lung, while local lymph node dissection revealed a synchronous diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The connection between CLL and solid organ malignancy is well documented, but the reporting of ACC in this context is novel.

An integrated disease-specific graded prognostic assessment scale for melanoma: contributions of KPS, CITV, number of metastases, and BRAF mutation status.

Background: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) remains a mainstay therapy in the treatment of melanoma brain metastases (BM). While prognostic scales have been developed for melanoma patients who underwent SRS treatment for BM, the pertinence of these scales in the context of molecularly targeted therapies remains unclear.

Methods: Through a multi-institutional collaboration, we collated the survival patterns of 331 melanoma BM patients with known BRAF mutation status treated with SRS.

Rare case of clear cell renal cell carcinoma presenting as a unilateral tonsil lesion.

A 70-year-old man presented with gradually worsening throat discomfort. He had no prior diagnosis of cancer and no travel history of note. Examination revealed a right-sided painless neck lump.

Considerations for future novel human-infecting coronavirus outbreaks.

Up until, June 13, 2020, >7,500,000 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and >400,000 deaths, across 216 countries, have been confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). With reference to the two previous beta-CoV outbreaks (SARS-CoV and middle east respiratory syndrome [MERS]), this paper examines the pathophysiological and clinical similarities seen across all three CoVs, with a special interest in the neuroinvasive capability and subsequent consequences for patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors. More widely, we examine the lessons learned from the management of such large-scale crises in the past, specifically looking at the South Korean experience of MERS and the subsequent shift in disaster management response to SARS-CoV-2, based on prior knowledge gained.

Integrating navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation motor mapping in hypofractionated and single-dose gamma knife radiosurgery: A two-patient case series and a review of literature.

Background: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) in preoperative gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) planning of motor eloquent brain tumors.

Case Description: The first case was a 53-year-old female patient with metastatic breast cancer who developed focal epileptic seizures and weakness of the left hand. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrated a 30 mm metastasis neighboring the right precentral gyrus and central sulcus.

Adaptive radiosurgery based on two simultaneous dose prescriptions in the management of large renal cell carcinoma brain metastases in critical areas: Towards customization.

Background: The long-term benefits of local therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have been widely documented. In this context, single fraction gamma knife radiosurgery (SF-GKRS) is routinely used in the management of brain metastases. However, SF-GKRS is not always feasible due to volumetric and regional constraints.

A challenging case of concurrent multiple sclerosis and anaplastic astrocytoma.

Background: Cases of gliomas coexisting with multiple sclerosis (MS) have been described over the past few decades. However, due to the complex clinical and radiological traits inherent to both entities, this concurrent phenomenon remains difficult to diagnose. Much has been debated about whether this coexistence is incidental or mirrors a poorly understood neoplastic phenomenon engaging glial cells in the regions of demyelination.

Pituitary carcinomas: Rare and challenging.

Background: Pituitary carcinomas (PCs) are defined as adenohypophyseal tumors with metastatic activity within and outside the boundaries of the central nervous system (CNS). The condition is rare and therefore seldom reported; most lesions are hormone producing and have a tendency for complex evolution. As such, the management of PCs remains difficult.

Adaptive hypofractionated gamma knife radiosurgery in the acute management of brainstem metastases.

Background: Intrinsic brainstem metastases are life-threatening neoplasms requiring rapid, effective intervention. Microsurgery is considered not feasible in most cases and systemic treatment seldom provides a successful outcome. In this context, radiation therapy remains the best option but adverse radiation effects (ARE) remain a major concern.

Correction: Identification of neoepitopes recognized by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from patients with glioma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24955.

The concept of rapid rescue radiosurgery in the acute management of critically located brain metastases: A retrospective short-term outcome analysis.

Background: Adaptive hypofractionated gamma knife radiosurgery has been used to treat brain metastases in the eloquent regions while limiting the risk of adverse radiation effect (ARE). Ablative responses might be achieved within days to weeks with the goal to preserve the neurological function. The application of this treatment modality in selected acute/subacute settings has been termed Rapid Rescue Radiosurgery (RRR) in our department.

Cytokine Networks and Survivin Peptide-Specific Cellular Immune Responses Predict Improved Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Purpose: We investigated serum cytokine and T-cell responses directed against tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) in association with survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Patients And Methods: Peripheral blood from 205 treatment-naïve patients with glioma (GBM = 145; non-GBM = 60) was obtained on the day of surgery to measure (i) circulating T-cells reacting to viral antigens and TAAs, in the presence or absence of cytokine conditioning with IL-2/IL-15/IL-21 or IL-2/IL-7, and (ii) serum cytokine levels (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17A). Patients were followed-up for at least 1000 days post-surgery.

Identification of neoepitopes recognized by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from patients with glioma.

Neoepitope-specific T-cell responses have been shown to induce durable clinical responses in patients with advanced cancers. We explored the recognition patterns of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most fatal form of tumors of the central nervous system. Whole-genome sequencing was used for generating DNA sequences representing the entire spectrum of 'private' somatic mutations in GBM tumors from five patients, followed by 15-mer peptide prediction and subsequent peptide synthesis.

Gamma knife radiosurgery in the management of endolymphatic sac tumors.

Background: Although widely regarded as rare epithelial tumors with a low grade of malignancy, endolymphatic sac tumors (ELST) often lead to disabling petrous bone destruction and significantly impairing symptoms at the time of primary diagnosis and/or recurrence. ELST is not uncommon in von Hippel Lindau (VHL) patients. Although open surgery is regarded as the best treatment option, recurrence remains a challenge, particularly when gross tumor resection (GTR) is deemed unachievable due to topographic conditions.

Mesothelin as a novel biomarker and immunotherapeutic target in human glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) presents the most malignant form of glioma, with a 5-year survival rate below 3% despite standard therapy. Novel immune-based therapies in improving treatment outcomes in GBM are therefore warranted. Several molecularly defined targets have been identified mediating anti-GBM cellular immune responses.

Cumulative Intracranial Tumor Volume Augments the Prognostic Value of Diagnosis-Specific Graded Prognostic Assessment Model for Survival in Patients with Melanoma Cerebral Metastases.

Background: The diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment scale (ds-GPA) for patients with melanoma brain metastasis (BM) utilizes only 2 key prognostic variables: Karnofsky performance status and the number of intracranial metastases. We wished to determine whether inclusion of cumulative intracranial tumor volume (CITV) into the ds-GPA model for melanoma augmented its prognostic value.

Objective: To determine whether or not CITV augments the ds-GPA prognostic scale for melanoma.

Mesothelin-specific Immune Responses Predict Survival of Patients With Brain Metastasis.

Background: Patients with advanced malignancies, e.g. lung cancer, ovarian cancer or melanoma, frequently present with brain metastases.

Salvage gamma knife radiosurgery in the management of dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors: Long-term outcome in a single-institution case series.

Background: Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT/DNET) are rare epileptogenic tumors. Microsurgery remains the best treatment option, although case reports exist on the use of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in selected cases. We investigated the long-term outcome of GKRS-treated DNTs at our institution in the context of current diagnostic and treatment options.