Nazi, collaborator or opponent? The role of the pathologist Robert Rössle in the Third Reich.

For many, Robert Rössle is one of the most important pathologists of the first half of the 20th century. His research in the fields of inflammation, constitution, growth and age, and immunity gave him the status of a pioneer. Because he was not a nominal member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), Rössle did not have to undergo denazification proceedings and was able to continue his academic career seamlessly after 1945.

Transport of treosulfan and temozolomide across an in-vitro blood-brain barrier model.

In vitro, treosulfan (TREO) has shown high effectiveness against malignant gliomas. However, a first clinical trial for newly diagnosed glioblastoma did not show any positive effect. Even though dosing and timing might have been the reasons for this failure, it might also be that TREO does not reach the brain in sufficient amount.

Can in-vitro chemoresponse assays help find new treatment regimens for malignant gliomas?

Various in-vitro chemosensitivity and resistance assays (CSRAs) have been demonstrated to be helpful decision aids for non-neurological tumors. Here, we evaluated the performance characteristics of two CSRAs for glioblastoma (GB) cells. The chemoresponse of fresh GB cells from 30 patients was studied in vitro using the ATP tumor chemoresponse assay and the chemotherapy resistance assay (CTR-Test).

Commentary on Effects of radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide versus radiotherapy alone on survival in glioblastoma in a randomised phase III study: 5-year analysis of the EORTC-NCIC trial (Lancet Oncol. 2009;10:459-466).

Recently, un update of the important European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer study 26981 was published without correcting deficiencies that already were known and publicized in 2008. In the current commentary, the author specifies those issues to help prevent incorrect conclusions and discusses reasons why the journal that published the update dismissed a letter clarifying those shortcomings.

Boron neutron capture therapy for glioblastoma: is it worth pursuing?

Presently glioblastomas are incurable brain tumors. The prospect of treating this deadly disease has been the major justification for the current programs of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) throughout the world. However, based on pharmacological and cell biological considerations, it is improbable that BNCT will ever be an effective therapy for this tumor.