Clinical significance of FBXO17 gene expression in high-grade glioma.

Background: High-grade gliomas (HGGs) exhibit marked heterogeneity in clinical behavior. The purpose of this study was to identify a novel biomarker that predicts patient outcome, which is helpful in HGG patient management.

Methods: We analyzed gene expression profiles of 833 HGG cases, representing the largest patient population ever reported.

MiR-138 exerts anti-glioma efficacy by targeting immune checkpoints.

Background: Antibody therapeutic targeting of the immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated molecule 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) has demonstrated marked tumor regression in clinical trials. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate multiple gene transcripts including possibly more than one immune checkpoint and could be exploited as immune therapeutics.

Methods: Using online miRNA targeting prediction algorithms, we searched for miRNAs that were predicted to target both PD-1 and CTLA-4.

PD-L1 expression and prognostic impact in glioblastoma.

Background: Therapeutic targeting of the immune checkpoints cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4) and PD-1/PD-L1 has demonstrated tumor regression in clinical trials, and phase 2 trials are ongoing in glioblastoma (GBM). Previous reports have suggested that responses are more frequent in patients with tumors that express PD-L1; however, this has been disputed. At issue is the validation of PD-L1 biomarker assays and prognostic impact.

Clinical and prognostic features of adult patients with gangliogliomas.

Background: Gangliogliomas (GGs) represent <1% of primary brain tumors in adults. Little is known regarding prognostic features, clinical characteristics, or the impact of treatment on patient outcomes.

Methods: Our neuro-oncology longitudinal database was screened for patients with GG from 1992 to 2012.

Phospho-histone H3 (pHH3) immuno-reactivity as a prognostic marker in non-functioning pituitary adenomas.

Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA) are typically benign neoplasms that can cause significant morbidity through local mass effects. MIB-1/Ki-67 and p53 immuno-reactivity are used to predict aggressive behavior but have known limitations. No marker to date is widely used to reliably predict tumor progression.

Imaging and spectroscopic findings in meningioangiomatosis.

Meningioangiomatosis (MA) is an uncommon brain tumor. The role of imaging techniques is underscored in cases where the tumor location makes resection (or even biopsy) dangerous. We report the case of a child with an MA tumor located deep in the right sylvian fissure.

The 2007 WHO classification of tumors of the nervous system: controversies in surgical neuropathology.

Controversy surrounds the recent 2007 WHO Classification of Tumours of the Nervous System. A number of nosologic issues remain to be resolved, some a reflection of conceptual disagreement, others the result of inadequate data to permit their definitive resolution. Among these and discussed herein are (i) the nosologic place of highly anaplastic oligoastrocytic tumors, (ii) the forms and significance of microvascular changes in high-grade gliomas, (iii) the makeup of the glioneuronal tumors category, (iv) the subclassification of pineal parenchymal tumors of intermediate type, and (v) the classification of principle forms of mesenchymal neoplasms, specifically hemangiopericytoma and solitary fibrous tumor.

Survival prediction in patients with glioblastoma multiforme by human telomerase genetic variation.

Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive glioma with the poorest survival. Use of biomarkers for screening patients with GBM may be used to modify treatments and improve outcomes. The level of human telomerase (hTERT) expression is an independent predictor of outcome of many cancers, and a functional variant of hTERT MNS16A (shorter tandem repeats or short [S] allele) is associated with increased hTERT mRNA expression.

Pathologically proven cavernous angiomas of the brain following radiation therapy for pediatric brain tumors.

Lesions consistent with cavernous angiomas (CAs) of the brain are sometimes seen on MRI scans of the brains of patients who received radiation therapy for brain tumors as children. The lesions appear years later within brain tissue that was included in radiation fields. It is unclear whether these MRI-detected lesions are true CAs or a pathological variant.