Association between IDH mutational status and tumor-associated epilepsy or venous thromboembolism in patients with grade II and III astrocytoma.

In previous studies, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations were associated with tumor-associated epilepsy (TAE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the relationship between IDH mutations in grade II/III astrocytomas and TAE/VTE according to the 2016 World Health Organization classification. The clinical data of patients with newly diagnosed grade II/III gliomas who were treated at Tohoku University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2018 were reviewed.

H3K27M and promoter mutations are poor prognostic factors in surgical cases of adult thalamic high-grade glioma.

Background: Thalamic high-grade gliomas (HGGs) are rare tumors with a dismal prognosis. H3K27M and telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter () mutations reportedly contribute to poor prognoses in HGG cases. We investigated the outcomes of surgically treated adult thalamic HGGs to evaluate the prognostic significance of H3K27M and mutations.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation during temozolomide administration for malignant glioma.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to clarify the clinical features of temozolomide (TMZ)-related hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation and to identify HBV reactivation predictive factors.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of 145 patients newly diagnosed or with recurrent malignant glioma treated with TMZ. Before treatment, we screened patients for HB surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (HBV carrier) and HBsAg negativity.

Frequent Clinical and Radiological Progression of Optic Pathway/Hypothalamic Pilocytic Astrocytoma in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Most cases of optic hypothalamic pilocytic astrocytoma (OHPA) develop during childhood, so few cases of histologically verified OHPA have been described in adolescents and young adults (AYA). To elucidate the clinical features of OHPA with histological verification in AYA, we reviewed the clinical and radiological finding of OHPA treated at our institute from January 1997 and July 2017. AYA are aged between 15 and 39 years.

Endoscopic Hematoma Evacuation for Intracerebral Hemorrhage Under Local Anesthesia: Factors That Affect the Hematoma Removal Rate.

Objective: Recent advances in endoscopic surgery have led to more patients being able to undergo endoscopic removal of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). However, because of the minimal invasiveness, endoscopic HICH removal through a narrow surgical window can result in a low removal rate. The goal of the present study was to investigate the factors that affect the removal rate of HICH evacuation.

Continuous Minor Bleeding from Tumor Surface in Patients with Craniopharyngiomas: Case Series of Nonobstructive Hydrocephalus.

Nonobstructive hydrocephalus in patients with craniopharyngiomas is uncommon. We describe our surgical series of 25 consecutive patients with craniopharyngioma who presented with hydrocephalus. Obstructive hydrocephalus was evident in most cases, and nonobstructive hydrocephalus was revealed in three cases.

Convection-enhanced delivery of sulfasalazine prolongs survival in a glioma stem cell brain tumor model.

Expression of CD44 in glioma cells was previously correlated with tumor grade and is considered a stem cell marker. CD44 stabilizes the cystine-glutamate transporter (xCT) and inhibits apoptosis in cancer stem cells (CSCs). Recently it was found that Sulfasalazine (SSZ), an anti-inflammatory drug, acts as an inhibitor of xCT and therefore has potential as a targeted therapy for CSCs.

Sarcoma-like tumor originating from oligodendroglioma.

We present a case of sarcoma occurring at a site of resected oligodendroglioma without preceding radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Oligosarcoma occurring at sites of resected oligodendroglioma or anaplastic oligodendroglioma with sarcomatous components are rare. Although meningioma or sarcoma-like lesions are sometimes reported after glioma-targeted radiotherapy, those without preceding radiotherapy are quite rare.

Local convection-enhanced delivery of an anti-CD40 agonistic monoclonal antibody induces antitumor effects in mouse glioma models.

Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant brain tumors in adults and has a dismal prognosis. In a previous report, we reported that CD40, a TNF-R-related cell surface receptor, and its ligand CD40L were associated with glioma outcomes. Here we attempted to activate CD40 signaling in the tumor and determine if it exerted therapeutic efficacy.

Intraparenchymal ultrasound application and improved distribution of infusate with convection-enhanced delivery in rodent and nonhuman primate brain.

OBJECT Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is an effective drug delivery method that delivers high concentrations of drugs directly into the targeted lesion beyond the blood-brain barrier. However, the drug distribution attained using CED has not satisfactorily covered the entire targeted lesion in tumors such as glioma. Recently, the efficacy of ultrasound assistance was reported for various drug delivery applications.

[Perforating Artery Injury during Microsurgery for Internal Carotid Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms].

Internal carotid artery bifurcation aneurysms(ICB-ANs)are relatively rare and are difficult to occlude by direct clipping without perforating artery injury(PAI). We retrospectively analyzed 11 aneurysms in 10 cases. PAI was identified in 5 of 10 cases on postoperative computed tomography(CT)or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), and 2 of these patients were symptomatic.

CD40/CD40L expression correlates with the survival of patients with glioblastomas and an augmentation in CD40 signaling enhances the efficacy of vaccinations against glioma models.

Background: The prognosis of glioblastoma (GBM) remains poor; therefore, effective therapeutic strategies need to be developed. CD40 is a costimulatory molecule whose agonistic antibody has been shown to activate antitumor effects. Recently, CD40 has been extensively targeted for immunotherapeutic purposes.

OX40 ligand expressed in glioblastoma modulates adaptive immunity depending on the microenvironment: a clue for successful immunotherapy.

Background: Glioblastoma is the most malignant human brain tumor and has a dismal prognosis; however, some patients show long-term survival. The interaction between the costimulatory molecule OX40 and its ligand OX40L generates key signals for T-cell activation. The augmentation of this interaction enhances antitumor immunity.

Malignant clinical features of anaplastic gliomas without IDH mutation.

Background: Diagnosis of WHO grade III anaplastic gliomas does not always correspond to its clinical outcome because of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) gene status. Anaplastic gliomas without IDH mutation result in a poor prognosis, similar to grade IV glioblastomas. However, the malignant features of anaplastic gliomas without IDH mutation are not well understood.