Purpose Of Review: Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a devastating complication of advanced metastatic cancer associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study reviews the current understanding of the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of LMD. We highlight opportunities for advances in this disease.
Recent Findings: In recent years, the use of soluble CSF biomarkers has expanded, suggesting improved sensitivity over traditional cytology, identification of targetable mutations, and potential utility for monitoring disease burden. Recent studies of targeted small molecules and intrathecal based therapies have demonstrated an increase in overall and progression-free survival. In addition, there are several ongoing trials evaluating immunotherapy in LMD. Though overall prognosis of LMD remains poor, studies suggest a potential role for soluble CSF biomarkers in diagnosis and management and demonstrate promising findings in patient outcomes with targeted therapies for specific solid tumors. Despite these advances, there continues to be a gap of knowledge in this disease, emphasizing the importance of inclusion of LMD patients in clinical trials.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11912-023-01432-2 | DOI Listing |
Childs Nerv Syst
January 2025
The Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
Background: Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (ATRTs) are malignant central nervous system tumours, typically presenting in the posterior fossa of very young children. Prognosis remains poor despite current therapy, while tumorigenesis implicates both genomic and epigenetic dysregulation. Primary diffuse leptomeningeal (PDL) ATRT, characterised by the absence of an intraparenchymal mass lesion, is seldom reported but appears associated with a dismal outcome.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiol Case Rep
March 2025
Maimonides Medical Center, Department of Radiology 4802 10th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis is a form of advanced metastatic disease conferring poor prognosis, most commonly associated with melanoma, small cell lung cancer, and breast cancer. In rare cases it has been shown to be associated with stroke thought to be related to vasculopathy caused by tumoral infiltration of cerebral vasculature. We present a case of acute cerebellar infarction in a patient with metastatic breast cancer complicated by leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, admitted for worsening metastatic disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer Metab
January 2025
InnoBation Bio, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a devastating complication of cancer that is difficult to treat. Thus, early diagnosis is essential for LM patients. However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology has low sensitivity, and imaging approaches are ineffective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
CNS lymphoma is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects the brain, spinal cord, leptomeninges, or eyes, leading to severe neurological or ophthalmological complications. This case report details a 44-year-old male with human immunodeficiency virus and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who experienced permanent vision loss due to optic perineuritis, a rare presenting symptom indicative of underlying CNS involvement. Despite previous remission, imaging revealed focal enhancements suggesting CNS lymphoma, highlighting diagnostic and management challenges in relapsed lymphoma, especially in immunocompromised patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Neuropathol Commun
January 2025
Department of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
The incidence of brain metastases (BrM) in patients with metastatic melanoma is reported to be 30-50% and constitutes the third most frequent BrM after breast and renal cancers. Treatment strategies including surgical resection, stereotactic radiation, and immunotherapy have improved clinical response rates and overall survival, but the changes that occur in circulating melanoma cells to promote invasion of the brain are not fully understood. To investigate brain tropism, we generated new variants of the B16 mouse melanoma model by serially passaging B16 cells through the brain of immune competent syngeneic C57BL/6 mice.
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