Imaging PD-L1 in the brain-Journey from the lab to the clinic.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) have proven to restore adaptive anti-tumor immunity in many cancers; however, no noteworthy therapeutic schedule has been established for patients with glioblastoma (GBM). High programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is associated with immunosuppressive and aggressive phenotypes in GBM. Presently, there is no standardized protocol for assessing PD-L1 expression levels to select patients and monitor their response to ICPI therapy.

Kinin Receptors and Kinin-Related Gene Expression in Astrocytic Brain Tumors.

Kinins are a set of peptides present in tissues that are involved in the inflammatory response and cancer progression. However, studies showing the expression of kinin receptors in human glioma samples are still incomplete and contradictory. The aim of the present study was to ascertain the expression of and genes, as well as the level of B1R and B2R proteins in human gliomas, depending on the degree of malignancy.

Immuno-PET Imaging of Tumour PD-L1 Expression in Glioblastoma.

There is no established method to assess the PD-L1 expression in brain tumours. Therefore, we investigated the suitability of affibody molecule (Z) radiolabelled with F-18 (AlF) and Ga-68 to measure the expression of PD-L1 in xenograft mouse models of GBM. Mice bearing subcutaneous and orthotopic tumours were imaged 1 h post-radioconjugate administration.

Targeted sequencing of cancer-related genes reveals a recurrent TOP2A variant which affects DNA binding and coincides with global transcriptional changes in glioblastoma.

High-grade gliomas are aggressive, deadly primary brain tumors. Median survival of patients with glioblastoma (GBM, WHO grade 4) is 14 months and <10% of patients survive 2 years. Despite improved surgical strategies and forceful radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the prognosis of GBM patients is poor and did not improve over decades.

Type I atlanto-occipital dislocation complicated by non-communicating hydrocephalus - A case report.

Hydrocephalus, an extremely rare complication of craniocervical junction injuries, is postulated to result from compression of the fourth ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outlets by fractured and displaced bone fragments, a swollen upper spinal cord or adhesions formed after a traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage. We present the case of a 21-year-old woman for whom an injury to the cervical spine complicated by a type I atlanto-occipital dislocation contributed to the development of non-communicating hydrocephalus. The hydrocephalus was probably a consequence of impaired CSF circulation at the fourth ventricular outlets (the foramina of Luschka and Magendie), caused by post-haemorrhagic adhesions formed after severe injury to the craniocervical junction.