Purpose: Primary gliomas arising within midline structures of the central nervous system are associated with a worse prognosis compared with hemispheric gliomas. In adults, compared to their pediatric counterparts, adult midline gliomas are not as clearly characterized on the clinical behavior, prognostic factors, and treatment approaches for these diseases.
Methods: This retrospective cohort assessed all adult (≥ 18 years) patients from our institution with diffuse gliomas arising from midline structures at time of diagnosis (2014-2020).
Purpose: Current methods for glioma response assessment are limited. This study aimed to assess the technical and clinical feasibility of molecular profiling using longitudinal intracranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with gliomas.
Experimental Design: Adults with gliomas underwent longitudinal intracranial CSF collection via Ommaya reservoirs or ventriculoperitoneal shunts.
Background: Extracranial metastases occur in <2% of cases of glioblastoma (GBM). When metastases do occur, bone is the most common destination. Herein, we review clinical characteristics of GBM patients with osseous metastases and evaluate both potential risk factors and prognostic significance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study aimed to determine whether proton craniospinal irradiation (CSI) decreased the dose to normal tissue and resulted in less toxicity than photon CSI for adult patients.
Methods: This single-institution retrospective analyzed differences in radiation doses, acute toxicity, and cost between proton and CSI for adult medulloblastoma patients.
Results: Of 39 total patients, 20 were treated with photon CSI prior to 2015, and 19 were treated with proton CSI thereafter.
We report a case highlighting key clinical, CSF, and imaging findings of recurrent pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with leptomeningeal spread.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMeasles virus (MV) vaccine strains have shown significant preclinical antitumor activity against glioblastoma (GBM), the most lethal glioma histology. In this first in human trial (NCT00390299), a carcinoembryonic antigen-expressing oncolytic measles virus derivative (MV-CEA), was administered in recurrent GBM patients either at the resection cavity (Group A), or, intratumorally on day 1, followed by a second dose administered in the resection cavity after tumor resection on day 5 (Group B). A total of 22 patients received study treatment, 9 in Group A and 13 in Group B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2)-related schwannomatosis is an autosomal dominant tumor-predisposition syndrome characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS). In patients with VS associated with NF2, vascular endothelial growth factor A inhibitor, bevacizumab, is a systemic treatment option. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate NF2 patient responses to bevacizumab on VS growth and symptom progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: Medulloblastomas are embryonal tumors predominantly affecting children. Recognition of molecularly defined subgroups has advanced management. Factors influencing the management and prognosis of adult patients with medulloblastoma remains poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The objective of this study was to study early-onset radiation-induced neuropathy reviewing neurologic course, steroid response, and available nerve biopsies.
Methods: Patients coded with radiation-induced neuropathy within 6 months of radiation were reviewed from January 1,1999, to August 31, 2022. Patients had to have electrodiagnostically confirmed neuropathy localized within or distal to radiation fields.
Background: Recurrent Stroke-Like Episodes of transient negative neurologic symptoms are a long-term consequence of cranial radiation therapy (RT) that may lead to significant functional impairment and worsen quality of life. We assessed management patterns and clinical course at our institution to assess optimal management strategy and understand long-term outcomes.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients with recurrent negative neurologic symptoms after cranial RT who were treated at Mayo Clinic (Rochester), with follow-up extending through October 2021 with a goal of assessing for clinical change in the setting of medical management.
Purpose: In-field high-grade glioma (HGG) recurrence is a common challenge with limited treatment options, including re-irradiation. The radiotracer 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-phenylalanine (F-DOPA) crosses the blood brain barrier and demonstrates high uptake in tumor, but low uptake in normal tissue. This study investigated whether F-DOPA positron emission tomography (PET) and MRI guided re-irradiation for recurrent HGG may improve progression free survival (PFS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Social determinants of health (SDoH)-socioeconomic and environmental factors-impact outcomes. The Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a composite of seventeen SDoH factors, has been correlated with poorer outcomes. We aimed to compare outcomes and treatment access for glioblastoma, a universally fatal malignant brain tumor, in patients more (ADI 34-100%) versus less disadvantaged (ADI 0-33%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) with the H3 K27M-mutation are a well-described entity with most DMG harboring this mutation, with notable heterogeneity in adults. No therapy has been proven to improve survival in this tumor type. Panobinostat is a histone deacetylase inhibitor that may have therapeutic benefit.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Recent studies have proposed resection of the T2 FLAIR hyperintensity beyond the T1 contrast enhancement (supramarginal resection [SMR]) for IDH-wild-type glioblastoma (GBM) to further improve patients' overall survival (OS). GBMs have significant variability in tumor cell density, distribution, and infiltration. Advanced mathematical models based on patient-specific radiographic features have provided new insights into GBM growth kinetics on two important parameters of tumor aggressiveness: proliferation rate (ρ) and diffusion rate (D).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To discuss optimal treatment strategy for spindle cell oncocytoma (SCO) of the pituitary gland.
Methods: Institutional cases were retrospectively reviewed. A systematic literature search and subsequent quantitative synthesis were performed for further analysis.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol
September 2020
Purpose: Temozolomide is the most effective chemotherapy for malignant glioma. Hypersensitivity requiring interruption of therapy may significantly impact patient survival. We have successfully employed temozolomide desensitization followed by metronomic dosing of temozolomide.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPilocytic astrocytomas (PA) are highly vascular tumors with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) signaling present in the tumor vasculature. PA may, therefore, be responsive to VEGF blockade with bevacizumab (BEV). Data regarding the use of BEV in refractory PA in adults are limited primarily to case reports and case series of patients with recurrent PA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe field of neuro-oncology has recently experienced a renaissance in the understanding of the molecular underpinnings and pathophysiology of glioma. Genetic markers have significant implications regarding treatment responsiveness and prognosis and are now the primary basis for classification. This article gives an updated understanding of the pathogenesis and mechanisms of resistance of glioma via discussion of 4 molecular and genetic markers: MGMT, , 1p/19q, and .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe authors present the case of a man with a papillary craniopharyngioma, first diagnosed at 47 years of age, who experienced multiple recurrences. Review of the pathologic specimen from his first resection demonstrated the BRAF V600E mutation. With his most recent recurrence following previous surgery and radiotherapy, at 52 years of age, the decision was made to initiate treatment with the BRAF V600E inhibitor dabrafenib.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite advances in modern therapy, high-grade gliomas continue to portend a dismal prognosis and nearly all patients will experience relapse. Unfortunately, salvage options remain limited. In this study, we assessed outcomes for patients with recurrent gliomas treated with reirradiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF