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Al-Jilaihawi S, Lowis S. A Molecular Update and Review of Current Trials in Paediatric Low-Grade Gliomas. Pediatr Neurosurg 2023; 58:290-298. [PMID: 37604126 DOI: 10.1159/000533703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs) are the most common primary brain tumour in children. Though considered benign, slow-growing lesions with excellent overall survival, their long-term morbidity can be significant, both from the tumour and secondary to treatment. Vast progress has been made in recent years to better understand the molecular biology underlying pLGGs, with promising implications for new targeted therapeutic strategies. SUMMARY A multi-layered classification system of biologic subgroups, integrating distinct molecular and histological features has evolved to further our clinical understanding of these heterogeneous tumours. Though surgery and chemotherapy are the mainstays of treatment for pLGGs, many tumours are not amenable to surgery and/or progress after conventional chemotherapy. Therapies targeting common genetic aberrations in the RAS-mitogen-activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK) pathway have been the focus of many recent studies and offer new therapeutic possibilities. Here, we summarise the updated molecular classification of pLGGs and provide a review of current treatment strategies, novel agents, and open trials. KEY MESSAGES (1) There is a need for treatment strategies in pLGG that provide lasting tumour control and better quality of survival through minimising toxicity and protecting against neurological, cognitive, and endocrine deficits. (2) The latest World Health Organisation classification of pLGG incorporates a growing wealth of molecular genetic information by grouping tumours into more biologically and molecularly defined entities that may enable better risk stratification of patients, and consideration for targeted therapies in the future. (3) Novel agents and molecular-targeted therapies offer new therapeutic possibilities in pLGG and have been the subject of many recent and currently open clinical studies. (4) Adequate molecular characterisation of pLGG is therefore imperative in today's clinical trials, and treatment responses should not only be evaluated radiologically but also using neurological, visual, and quality of life outcomes to truly understand treatment benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Al-Jilaihawi
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
| | - Stephen Lowis
- Department of Paediatric Oncology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol, UK
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Stock A, Hancken CV, Kandels D, Kortmann RD, Dietzsch S, Timmermann B, Pietsch T, Bison B, Schmidt R, Pham M, Gnekow AK, Warmuth-Metz M. Pseudoprogression is frequent following front-line radiotherapy in pediatric low-grade glioma - results from the German LGG cohort. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 112:1190-1202. [PMID: 34933039 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Expansion of MRI T2- and/or T1-tumor lesion volume after radiotherapy (RT) may indicate pseudoprogression (PsPD). The differentiation between true progression and PsPD is a clinical challenge and under-investigated in pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG). We evaluated radiological criteria for PsPD following front-line RT and investigated the frequency and duration of PsPD following three RT-modalities within the framework of the [Anonymized for Review] LGG-studies. METHODS Baseline and follow-up MRI-scans of 136 patients (72 [52.9%] male, median age at start of RT 11.3 years [range 0.8-25.9]) of the [Anonymized for Review] cohorts (125iodine-interstitial RT [IS; n=51], photon-beam [XRT; n=60] or proton-beam RT [PBT; n=25]) were centrally evaluated for: Increasing 1) total tumor-associated T2-lesion, 2) focal tumor-associated T2-lesion and 3) contrast-enhancing tumor over a period of 24 months following RT. The pattern of these criteria initiated "suspicion" of PsPD, their evolution determined "definite" PsPD. RESULTS Definite PsPD was radiologically determined in 54/136 (39.7%) without differences in frequency between RT-modalities: IS 22/48 vs. XRT 24/54 vs. PBT 11/20; p=0.780. Definite PsPD occurred at median 6.3 months (IS 7.2 months; XRT 4.4 months; PBT 6.5 months) after RT-initiation and persisted for median 7.2 months (IS 8.5 months; XRT 7 months; PBT 7.4 months). Appearance of necrosis within the focal tumor-associated T2-lesion proved to be a relevant associated predictor of definite PsPD (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS PsPD is frequent following irradiation of pediatric LGG and independent of the RT-modality (IS vs. XRT vs. PBT). Adequate identification of PsPD versus true progression is imperative to prevent unneeded salvage treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Stock
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Neuroradiological Reference Center for the pediatric brain tumor (HIT) studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Wuerzburg (until 2020), University Augsburg, Faculty of Medicine (since 2021), Germany.
| | | | - Daniela Kandels
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Dietzsch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), West German Cancer Centre (WTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Neuroradiological Reference Center for the pediatric brain tumor (HIT) studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Wuerzburg (until 2020), University Augsburg, Faculty of Medicine (since 2021), Germany
| | - Rene Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
| | - Mirko Pham
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Katharina Gnekow
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Monika Warmuth-Metz
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; Neuroradiological Reference Center for the pediatric brain tumor (HIT) studies of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Wuerzburg (until 2020), University Augsburg, Faculty of Medicine (since 2021), Germany
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Feng F, Zhao Z, Zhou Y, Cheng Y, Wu X, Heng X. CUX1 Facilitates the Development of Oncogenic Properties Via Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Glioma. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:705008. [PMID: 34422906 PMCID: PMC8377541 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.705008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Homeobox cut like 1 (CUX1), which often presents aberrated expression in many cancer cells, exerts a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Evidence describing CUX1 in gliomagenesis is scarce, and the effects of CUX1 on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway have not been reported. Our study aimed to explore the biological functions and molecular mechanisms involved in CUX1 activity in glioma. Methods: Datasets for bioinformatics analysis were obtained from the GEO, TCGA, CGGA, GTEX and CCLE databases. qRT-PCR, western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were used to investigate the expression patterns of CUX1 among glioma and brain tissues. CUX1 knockdown and overexpression vectors were transfected into glioma cell lines, the CCK-8, clone formation assay, wound healing, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were performed to detect changes in cell viability, invasiveness, and the cell cycle. WB and immunofluorescence (IF) assays were used to explore changes in cell cycle-related and Wnt/β-catenin signaling protein levels. Results: Overexpression of CUX1 was identified in glioma tissues, and especially in glioblastoma (GBM), when compared to normal controls and correlated with poor prognosis. In comparison with untreated cells, TJ905 glioma cells overexpressing CUX1 showed higher proliferation and invasion abilities and S phase cell-cycle arrest, while the knockdown of CUX1 suppressed cell invasive ability and induced G1 phase arrest. Active Wnt/β-catenin signaling was enriched and clustered in a CUX1-associated GSEA/GSVA analysis. IF and WB assays indicated that CUX1 regulated the distribution of Axin2/β-catenin in glioma cells and regulated the expression of proteins downstream of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that CUX1 served as an upstream positive regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Finally, the knockdown of Axin2 or β-catenin could reverse the tumor-promoting effects caused by CUX1 overexpression, suggesting that CUX1 induced gliomagenesis and malignant phenotype by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our data suggested that the transcription factor CUX1 could be a novel therapeutic target for glioma with gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Feng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Zongqing Zhao
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Yunfei Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Yanhao Cheng
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xiujie Wu
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Xueyuan Heng
- Institute of Brain Science and Brain-Like Intelligence, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
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Perwein T, Benesch M, Kandels D, Pietsch T, Schmidt R, Quehenberger F, Bison B, Warmuth-Metz M, Timmermann B, Krauss J, Thomale UW, Kortmann RD, Driever PH, Gnekow AK. High frequency of disease progression in pediatric spinal cord low-grade glioma (LGG): management strategies and results from the German LGG study group. Neuro Oncol 2021; 23:1148-1162. [PMID: 33346834 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge on management of pediatric spinal cord low-grade glioma (LGG) is scarce. METHODS We analyzed clinical datasets of 128 pediatric patients with spinal LGG followed within the prospective multicenter trials HIT-LGG 1996 (n = 36), SIOP-LGG 2004 (n = 56), and the subsequent LGG-Interim registry (n = 36). RESULTS Spinal LGG, predominantly pilocytic astrocytomas (76%), harbored KIAA1549-BRAF fusion in 14/35 patients (40%) and FGFR1-TACC1 fusion in 3/26 patients (12%), as well as BRAFV600E mutation in 2/66 patients (3%). 10-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) was 93% ± 2% and 38% ± 5%, respectively. Disseminated disease (n = 16) was associated with inferior OS and EFS, while age ≥11 years and total resection were favorable factors for EFS. We observed 117 patients following total (n = 24) or subtotal/partial resection (n = 74), biopsy (n = 16), or radiologic diagnosis only (n = 3). Eleven patients were treated first with chemotherapy (n = 9) or irradiation (n = 2). Up to 20.8 years after diagnosis/initial intervention, 73/128 patients experienced one (n = 43) or up to six (n = 30) radiological/clinical disease progressions. Tumor resections were repeated in 36 patients (range, 2-6) and 47 patients required nonsurgical treatment (chemotherapy, n = 20; radiotherapy, n = 10; multiple treatment lines, n = 17). Long-term disease control for a median of 6.5 (range, 0.02-20) years was achieved in 73/77 patients following one (n = 57) or repeated (n = 16) resections, and in 35/47 patients after nonsurgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients experienced disease progression, even after years. Multiple interventions were required for more than a third, yet multimodal treatment enabled long-term disease control. Molecular testing may reveal therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Perwein
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Benesch
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniela Kandels
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, Brain Tumor Reference Center of the German Society for Neuropathology and Neuroanatomy (DGNN), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - René Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Franz Quehenberger
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics and Documentation, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Monika Warmuth-Metz
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Proton Therapy Center Essen/Clinic for Particle Therapy, Essen University Hospital, Essen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Krauss
- Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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[Histomolecular diagnosis of glial and glioneuronal tumours]. Ann Pathol 2021; 41:137-153. [PMID: 33712303 DOI: 10.1016/j.annpat.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
While rare compared to extra-cranial neoplasms, glial and glioneuronal tumors are responsible of high morbidity and mortality. In 2016, the World Health Organization introduced histo-molecular ("integrated") diagnostics for central nervous system tumors based on morphology, immunohistochemistry and the presence of key genetic alterations. This combined phenotypic-genotypic classification allows for a more objective diagnostic of brain tumors. The implementation of such a classification in daily practice requires immunohistochemical surrogates to detect common genetic alterations and sometimes expensive and not widely available molecular biology techniques. The first step in brain tumor diagnostics is to inquire about the clinical picture and the imaging findings. When dealing with a glial tumor, the pathologist needs to assess its nature, infiltrative or circumscribed. If the tumor is infiltrative, IDH1/2 genes (prognostic marker) and chromosomes 1p/19q (diagnosis of oligodendroglioma) need to be assessed. If the tumor appears circumscribed, the pathologist should look for a neuronal component associated with the glial component (glioneuronal tumor). A limited immunohistochemistry panel will help distinguish between diffuse glioma (IDH1-R132H, ATRX, p53) and circumscribed glial/glioneuronal tumor (CD34, neuronal markers, BRAF-V600E), and some antibodies may reliably detect genetic alterations (IDH1-R132H, BRAF-V600E and H3-K27M mutations). Chromosomal imbalances (1p/19q codeletion in oligodendroglioma; chromosome 7 gain/chromosome 10 loss and EGFR amplification in glioblastoma) and gene rearrangements (BRAF fusion, FGFR1 fusion) will be identified by molecular biology techniques. The up-coming edition of the WHO classification of the central nervous system tumors will rely more heavily on molecular alterations to accurately diagnose and treat brain tumors.
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Kai Z, Dingyang L, Zhuanyi Y. Prognostic Role of BRAF Mutation in Low-Grade Gliomas: Meta-analysis. World Neurosurg 2020; 147:42-46. [PMID: 33316486 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Newly emerged molecular markers in gliomas provide prognostic values beyond the capabilities of histologic classification. BRAF mutation, especially BRAF V600E, is common in a subset of gliomas and may represent a potential prognostic marker. The aim of our study is to investigate the potential use of BRAF mutations on the prognosis of low-grade glioma patients. METHODS Four electronic databases were searched for potential articles including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. Data of hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival and progression-free survival were directly obtained from original papers or indirectly estimated from the Kaplan-Meier curve. A random effect model weighted by inverse variance method was used to calculate the pooled HR. From 483 articles, we finally included 8 articles with 698 glioma patients for the final analysis. The overall estimates showed that BRAF V600E was associated with an improved overall survival in glioma patients (HR = 0.64; 95% confidence interval = 0.45-0.92). RESULTS Results for progression-free survival, however, were not statistically significant (HR = 0.97; 95% confidence interval = 0.7-1.36). In subgroup analyses, BRAF V600E showed its effect in improving survival in pediatric patients but did not have prognostic value in adult. Our meta-analysis provides evidence that BRAF mutation has a favorable prognostic impact in low-grade gliomas, and its prognostic value might be dependent on patient age. CONCLUSIONS This mutation can be used as a prognostic factor in low-grade glioma, but additional studies are required to clarify its prognostic value taking into account other confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Kai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liu Dingyang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhuanyi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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Kandels D, Pietsch T, Bison B, Warmuth-Metz M, Thomale UW, Kortmann RD, Timmermann B, Hernáiz Driever P, Witt O, Schmidt R, Gnekow AK. Loss of efficacy of subsequent nonsurgical therapy after primary treatment failure in pediatric low-grade glioma patients-Report from the German SIOP-LGG 2004 cohort. Int J Cancer 2020; 147:3471-3489. [PMID: 32580249 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
First-line treatment of pediatric low-grade glioma using surgery, radio- or chemotherapy fails in a relevant proportion of patients. We analyzed efficacy of subsequent surgical and nonsurgical therapies of the German cohort of the SIOP-LGG 2004 study (2004-2012, 1558 registered patients; median age at diagnosis 7.6 years, median observation time 9.2 years, overall survival 98%/96% at 5/10 years, 15% neurofibromatosis type 1 [NF1]). During follow-up, 1078/1558 patients remained observed without (n = 217), with 1 (n = 707), 2 (n = 124) or 3 to 6 (n = 30) tumor volume reductions; 480/1558 had 1 (n = 332), 2 (n = 80), 3 or more (n = 68) nonsurgical treatment-lines, accompanied by up to 4 tumor-reductive surgeries in 215/480; 265/480 patients never underwent any neurosurgical tumor volume reduction (163/265 optic pathway glioma). Patients with progressing tumors after first-line adjuvant treatment were at increased risk of suffering further progressions. Risk factors were young age (<1 year) at start of treatment, tumor dissemination or progression within 18 months after start of chemotherapy. Progression-free survival rates declined with subsequent treatment-lines, yet remaining higher for patients with NF1. In non-NF1-associated tumors, vinblastine monotherapy vs platinum-based chemotherapy was noticeably less effective when used as second-line treatment. Yet, for the entire cohort, results did not favor a certain sequence of specific treatment options. Rather, all can be aligned as a portfolio of choices which need careful balancing of risks and benefits. Future molecular data may predict long-term tumor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Kandels
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Torsten Pietsch
- Institute of Neuropathology, DGNN Brain Tumor Reference Center, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Brigitte Bison
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Monika Warmuth-Metz
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich-Wilhelm Thomale
- Pediatric Neurosurgery, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universitaet Berlin, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Beate Timmermann
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), West German Cancer Center (WTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - Pablo Hernáiz Driever
- Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universitaet Berlin, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), and Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - René Schmidt
- Institute of Biostatistics and Clinical Research, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Astrid K Gnekow
- Swabian Children's Cancer Center, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
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