CCL21 Induces Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Migration and Activation in a Mouse Model of Glioblastoma.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that are traditionally divided into two distinct subsets: myeloid DCs (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs). pDCs are known for their ability to secrete large amounts of cytokine type I interferons (IFN- α). In our previous work, we have demonstrated that pDC infiltration promotes glioblastoma (GBM) tumor immunosuppression through decreased IFN-α secretion via TLR-9 signaling and increased suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) via increased IL-10 secretion, resulting in poor overall outcomes in mouse models of GBM.

Resection of a pineal region papillary tumor using robotic exoscope: improved visualization and ergonomics for deep seeded tumor.

Surgery for pineal region tumors is technically challenging due to their deep location and close proximity to critical deep venous structures, midbrain, and thalamus. A high-definition video exoscope was recently proposed as an alternative to the operating microscope. The authors illustrate a case of the midline supracerebellar infratentorial approach to resect a pineal region tumor using the Modus V exoscope and demonstrate the improved visualization of critical structures in this deep location.

Aging- and Tumor-Mediated Increase in CD8CD28 T Cells Might Impose a Strong Barrier to Success of Immunotherapy in Glioblastoma.

Clinical use of various forms of immunotherapeutic drugs in glioblastoma (GBM), has highlighted severe T cell dysfunction such as exhaustion in GBM patients. However, reversing T cell exhaustion using immune checkpoint inhibitors in GBM clinical trials has not shown significant overall survival benefit. Phenotypically, CD8 T cells with downregulated CD28 coreceptors, low CD27 expression, increased CD57 expression, and telomere shortening are classified as senescent T cells.

The Evolving Role of CD8CD28 Immunosenescent T Cells in Cancer Immunology.

Functional, tumor-specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes drive the adaptive immune response to cancer. Thus, induction of their activity is the ultimate aim of all immunotherapies. Success of anti-tumor immunotherapy is precluded by marked immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) leading to CD8 effector T cell dysfunction.

Efficacy of pre-operative stereotactic radiosurgery followed by surgical resection and correlative radiobiological analysis for patients with 1-4 brain metastases: study protocol for a phase II trial.

Background: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a common adjuvant modality used with surgery for resectable brain metastases (BMs). However, the optimal sequence of the multi-modality therapy has not been established. The goal of the study is to evaluate 6-month local control utilizing pre-operative SRS followed by surgical resection for patients with 1-4 brain metastases.

Multicenter retrospective evaluation of the validity of the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score system in children.

OBJECTIVE The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) system was developed to streamline injury assessment and guide surgical decision making. To the best of the authors' knowledge, external validation in the pediatric age group has not been undertaken prior to this report. METHODS This study evaluated the use of the TLICS in a large retrospective series of children and adolescents treated at 4 pediatric medical centers (Texas Children's Hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Riley Children's Hospital, and Doernbecher Children's Hospital).

Rathke's cleft cysts in twins with type 2C von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHLD) is characterized by a spectrum of benign and malignant tumors in the CNS and visceral organs. Rathke's cleft cysts are benign, nonneoplastic sellar lesions that are often asymptomatic. The authors report the case of twin sisters with VHLD Type 2C with radiographically similar sellar lesions.