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Kim AE, Nieblas-Bedolla E, de Sauvage MA, Brastianos PK. Leveraging translational insights toward precision medicine approaches for brain metastases. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:955-967. [PMID: 37491527 PMCID: PMC10644911 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Due to increasing incidence and limited treatments, brain metastases (BM) are an emerging unmet need in modern oncology. Development of effective therapeutics has been hindered by unique challenges. Individual steps of the brain metastatic cascade are driven by distinctive biological processes, suggesting that BM possess intrinsic biological differences compared to primary tumors. Here, we discuss the unique physiology and metabolic constraints specific to BM as well as emerging treatment strategies that leverage potential vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert E Kim
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edwin Nieblas-Bedolla
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Magali A de Sauvage
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Katzendobler S, Do A, Weller J, Rejeski K, Dorostkar MM, Albert NL, Forbrig R, Niyazi M, Egensperger R, Tonn JC, Baumgarten LV, Quach S, Thon N. The value of stereotactic biopsy of primary and recurrent brain metastases in the era of precision medicine. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1014711. [PMID: 36605448 PMCID: PMC9808072 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1014711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Brain metastases (BM) represent the most frequent intracranial tumors with increasing incidence. Many primary tumors are currently treated in protocols that incorporate targeted therapies either upfront or for progressive metastatic disease. Hence, molecular markers are gaining increasing importance in the diagnostic framework of BM. In cases with diagnostic uncertainty, both in newly diagnosed or recurrent BM, stereotactic biopsy serves as an alternative to microsurgical resection particularly whenever resection is not deemed to be safe or feasible. This retrospective study aimed to analyze both diagnostic yield and safety of an image-guided frame based stereotactic biopsy technique (STX). Material and methods Our institutional neurosurgical data base was searched for any surgical procedure for suspected brain metastases between January 2016 and March 2021. Of these, only patients with STX were included. Clinical parameters, procedural complications, and tissue histology and concomitant molecular signature were assessed. Results Overall, 467 patients were identified including 234 (50%) with STX. Median age at biopsy was 64 years (range 29 - 87 years). MRI was used for frame-based trajectory planning in every case with additional PET-guidance in 38 cases (16%). In total, serial tumor probes provided a definite diagnosis in 230 procedures (98%). In 4 cases (1.7%), the pathological tissue did not allow a definitive neuropathological diagnosis. 24 cases had to be excluded due to non-metastatic histology, leaving 206 cases for further analyses. 114 patients (49%) exhibited newly diagnosed BM, while 46 patients (20%) displayed progressive BM. Pseudoprogression was seen in 46 patients, a median of 12 months after prior therapy. Pseudoprogression was always confirmed by clinical course. Metastatic tissue was found most frequently from lung cancer (40%), followed by breast cancer (9%), and malignant melanoma (7%). Other entities included gastrointestinal cancer, squamous cell cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and thyroid cancer, respectively. In 9 cases (4%), the tumor origin could not be identified (cancer of unknown primary). Molecular genetic analyses were successful in 137 out of 144 analyzed cases (95%). Additional next-generation sequencing revealed conclusive results in 12/18 (67%) cases. Relevant peri-procedural complications were observed in 5 cases (2.4%), which were all transient. No permanent morbidity or mortality was noted. Conclusion In patients with BM, frame-based stereotactic biopsy constitutes a safe procedure with a high diagnostic yield. Importantly, this extended to discerning pseudoprogression from tumor relapse after prior therapy. Thus, comprehensive molecular characterization based on minimal-invasive stereotactic biopsies lays the foundation for precision medicine approaches in the treatment of primary and recurrent BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Katzendobler
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Do
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jonathan Weller
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Rejeski
- Department of Medicine III, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mario M. Dorostkar
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nathalie L. Albert
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Forbrig
- Institute of Neuroradiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Niyazi
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rupert Egensperger
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joerg-Christian Tonn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Louisa v. Baumgarten
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Quach
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Niklas Thon
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich, Munich, Germany,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany,*Correspondence: Niklas Thon,
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Alvarez-Breckenridge C, Remon J, Piña Y, Nieblas-Bedolla E, Forsyth P, Hendriks L, Brastianos PK. Emerging Systemic Treatment Perspectives on Brain Metastases: Moving Toward a Better Outlook for Patients. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2022; 42:1-19. [PMID: 35522917 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_352320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The diagnosis of brain metastases has historically been a dreaded, end-stage complication of systemic disease. Additionally, with the increasing effectiveness of systemic therapies that prolong life expectancy and improved imaging tools, the incidence of intracranial progression is becoming more common. Within this context, there has been increasing attention directed at understanding the molecular underpinnings of intracranial progression. Exploring the unique features of brain metastases compared with their extracranial counterparts to identify aberrant signaling pathways, which can be targeted pharmacologically, may help lead to new treatments for this patient population. Additionally, critical discoveries outside the sphere of the central nervous system are increasingly being applied to brain metastases with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibition, becoming a prevalent treatment option for patients with brain metastases across multiple histologies. As novel treatment strategies are considered, they require thoughtful incorporation of agents that can cross the blood-brain barrier and can synergize with pre-existing agents through rational combinations. Lastly, as clinicians and scientists continue to understand key molecular features of these tumors, they will continue to influence the treatment algorithms that are developing for the management of these patients. Due to the complexity of treatment decisions for patients with brain metastases, an emerging tool is the utilization of multidisciplinary brain metastasis tumor boards to ensure optimal treatment decisions are made and that patients are provided access to applicable clinical trials. Looking to the future, the collective effort to understand the various tumor-intrinsic and tumor-extrinsic factors that promote central nervous system seeding and propagation will have the potential to change the clinical trajectory for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, HM CIOCC Barcelona (Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal), Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yolanda Piña
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | | | - Peter Forsyth
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
| | - Lizza Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases - GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
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4
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Shen E, Van Swearingen AED, Price MJ, Bulsara K, Verhaak RGW, Baëta C, Painter BD, Reitman ZJ, Salama AKS, Clarke JM, Anders CK, Fecci PE, Goodwin CR, Walsh KM. A Need for More Molecular Profiling in Brain Metastases. Front Oncol 2022; 11:785064. [PMID: 35145903 PMCID: PMC8821807 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.785064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As local disease control improves, the public health impact of brain metastases (BrM) continues to grow. Molecular features are frequently different between primary and metastatic tumors as a result of clonal evolution during neoplasm migration, selective pressures imposed by systemic treatments, and differences in the local microenvironment. However, biomarker information in BrM is not routinely obtained despite emerging evidence of its clinical value. We review evidence of discordance in clinically actionable biomarkers between primary tumors, extracranial metastases, and BrM. Although BrM biopsy/resection imposes clinical risks, these risks must be weighed against the potential benefits of assessing biomarkers in BrM. First, new treatment targets unique to a patient's BrM may be identified. Second, as BrM may occur late in a patient's disease course, resistance to initial targeted therapies and/or loss of previously identified biomarkers can occur by the time of occult BrM, rendering initial and other targeted therapies ineffective. Thus, current biomarker data can inform real-time treatment options. Third, biomarker information in BrM may provide useful prognostic information for patients. Appreciating the importance of biomarker analyses in BrM tissue, including how it may identify specific drivers of BrM, is critical for the development of more effective treatment strategies to improve outcomes for this growing patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Shen
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Amanda E. D. Van Swearingen
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Meghan J. Price
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ketan Bulsara
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Roeland G. W. Verhaak
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, United States
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra (UMC), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) University Medical Center (VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - César Baëta
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Brice D. Painter
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Zachary J. Reitman
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - April K. S. Salama
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jeffrey M. Clarke
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Carey K. Anders
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Peter E. Fecci
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - C. Rory Goodwin
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kyle M. Walsh
- Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis, Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
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Chai RC, Liu X, Pang B, Liu YQ, Li JJ, Li YF, Zhao Z, Du J, Bao ZS, Jiang T. Recurrent PTPRZ1-MET fusion and a high occurrence rate of MET exon 14 skipping in brain metastases. Cancer Sci 2021; 113:796-801. [PMID: 34812554 PMCID: PMC8819346 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying molecular features is an essential component of the management and targeted therapy of brain metastases (BMs). The molecular features are different between primary lung cancers and BMs of lung cancer. Here we report the DNA and RNA mutational profiles of 43 pathological samples of BMs. In addition to previously reported mutational events associated with targeted therapy, PTPRZ1‐MET, which was previously exclusively identified in glioma, was present in two cases of BMs of lung cancer. Furthermore, MET exon 14 skipping may be more common (6/37 cases) in BMs of lung cancer than the frequency previously reported in lung cancer. These findings highlight the clinical significance of targeted DNA plus RNA sequencing for BMs and suggest PTPRZ1‐MET and MET exon 14 skipping as critical molecular events that may serve as targets of targeted therapy in BMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Chao Chai
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Qing Liu
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing-Jun Li
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang-Fang Li
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng Zhao
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhao Shi Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Department of Neuropathology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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6
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Kaul D, Sophie Berghoff A, Grosu AL, Weiss Lucas C, Guckenberger M. Focal Radiotherapy of Brain Metastases in Combination With Immunotherapy and Targeted Drug Therapy. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 118:arztebl.m2021.0332. [PMID: 34730083 PMCID: PMC8841640 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advances in systemic treatment and in brain imaging have led to a higher incidence of diagnosed brain metastases. In the treatment of brain metastases, stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery, systemic immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy are important evidence-based options. In this review, we summarize the available evidence on the treatment of brain metastases of the three main types of cancer that give rise to them: non-small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and malignant melanoma. METHODS This narrative review is based on pertinent original articles, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews that were retrieved by a selective search in PubMed. These publications were evaluated and discussed by an expert panel including radiation oncologists, neurosurgeons, and oncologists. RESULTS There have not yet been any prospective randomized trials concerning the optimal combination of local stereotactic radiotherapy/radiosurgery and systemic immunotherapy or targeted therapy. Retrospective studies have consistently shown a benefit from early combined treatment with systemic therapy and (in particular) focal radiotherapy, compared to sequential treatment. Two metaanalyses of retrospective data from cohorts consisting mainly of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and melanoma revealed longer overall survival after combined treatment with focal radiotherapy and checkpoint inhibitor therapy (rate of 12-month overall survival for combined versus non-combined treatment: 64.6% vs. 51.6%, p <0.001). In selected patients with small, asymptomatic brain metastases in non-critical locations, systemic therapy without focal radiotherapy can be considered, as long as follow-up with cranial magnetic resonance imaging can be performed at close intervals. CONCLUSION Brain metastases should be treated by a multidisciplinary team, so that the optimal sequence of local and systemic therapies can be determined for each individual patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kaul
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Radiotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health
| | - Anna Sophie Berghoff
- Department of Medicine 1 and Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Medical University of Vienna
| | - Anca-Ligia Grosu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Freiburg
| | - Carolin Weiss Lucas
- Center of Neurosurgery, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine und University Hospital Cologne
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Abstract
As the epidemiological and clinical burden of brain metastases continues to grow, advances in neurosurgical care are imperative. From standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences to functional neuroimaging, preoperative workups for metastatic disease allow high-resolution detection of lesions and at-risk structures, facilitating safe and effective surgical planning. Minimally invasive neurosurgical approaches, including keyhole craniotomies and tubular retractors, optimize the preservation of normal parenchyma without compromising extent of resection. Supramarginal surgery has pushed the boundaries of achieving complete removal of metastases without recurrence, especially in eloquent regions when paired with intraoperative neuromonitoring. Brachytherapy has highlighted the potential of locally delivering therapeutic agents to the resection cavity with high rates of local control. Neuronavigation has become a cornerstone of operative workflow, while intraoperative ultrasound (iUS) and intraoperative brain mapping generate real-time renderings of the brain unaffected by brain shift. Endoscopes, exoscopes, and fluorescent-guided surgery enable increasingly high-definition visualizations of metastatic lesions that were previously difficult to achieve. Pushed forward by these multidisciplinary innovations, neurosurgery has never been a safer, more effective treatment for patients with brain metastases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick R Ng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bryan D Choi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manish K Aghi
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brian V Nahed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Steindl A, Brastianos PK, Preusser M, Berghoff AS. Precision medicine biomarkers in brain metastases: applications, discordances, and obstacles. Neurooncol Adv 2021; 3:v35-v42. [PMID: 34859231 PMCID: PMC8633753 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdab105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases (BM) present a common cause of mortality and morbidity in several metastatic cancer entities. New therapeutic developments during the last decades, including targeted and immune-related therapies, have shown considerable extra- and intracranial response rates in specific subgroups of BM patients. However, differences in the molecular alteration in the BM tumor tissue compared to extracranial tumors leads to heterogeneous therapeutic responses. Therefore, an accurate molecular analyzation of BM tissue, if possible, has become an essential part in therapeutic decision making in BM patients. The concordance of predictive molecular biomarkers between multiple sites including extracranial and intracranial tumor tissue have been analyzed for some but not all biomarkers routinely applied in modern precision medicine approaches. In the present review, we summarize the current evidence of predictive biomarkers for personalized therapy approaches in the treatment of parenchymal BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Steindl
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna S Berghoff
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Pellerino A, Bruno F, Rudà R, Soffietti R. Systemic Therapy for Lung Cancer Brain Metastases. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2021; 22:110. [PMID: 34693454 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-021-00911-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Systemic therapy for brain metastases (BM) is quickly moving from conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy toward targeted therapies, that allow a disruption of driver molecular pathways. The discovery of actionable driver mutations has led to the development of an impressive number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, anaplastic-lymphoma-kinase (ALK) rearrangements, and other rare molecular alterations in patients bearing metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the brain, with remarkable results in terms of intracranial disease control and overall survival. Moreover, these drugs may delay the use of local therapies, such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). New drugs with higher molecular specificity and ability to cross the CNS barriers (BBB, BTB and blood-CSF) are being developed. Two major issues are related to targeted therapies. First, the emergence of a resistance is a common event, and a deeper understanding of molecular pathways that are involved is critical for the successful development of effective new targeted agents. Second, an early detection of tumor progression is of utmost importance to avoid the prolongation of an ineffective therapy while changing to another drug. In order to monitor over time the treatment to targeted therapies, liquid biopsy, that allows the detection in biofluids of either circulating tumor cells (CTCs) or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) or exosomes, is increasingly employed in clinical trials: with respect to BM the monitoring of both blood and CSF is necessary. Also, radiomics is being developed to predict the mutational status of the BM on MRI.For patients without druggable mutations or who do not respond to targeted agents, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors is increasingly employed, alone or in combination with radiotherapy. Pseudoprogression after immunotherapy alone maybe a challenge for several months after the start of treatment, and the same is true for radionecrosis after the combination of immunotherapy and SRS. In this regard, the value of advanced MRI techniques and PET imaging for a better distinction of pseudoprogression/radionecrosis and true tumor progression is promising, but needs validation in large prospective datasets. Last, a new frontier in the near future will be chemoprevention (primary and secondary), but we need to identify among solid tumors those subgroups of patients with a higher risk of relapsing into the brain and novel drugs, active on either neoplastic or normal cells of the microenvironment, that are cooperating in the invasion of brain tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pellerino
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - Francesco Bruno
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberta Rudà
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Castelfranco Veneto and Treviso Hospital, via Sant' Ambrogio di Fiera 37, 31100, Treviso, Italy
| | - Riccardo Soffietti
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
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10
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Karschnia P, Le Rhun E, Vogelbaum MA, van den Bent M, Grau SJ, Preusser M, Soffietti R, von Baumgarten L, Westphal M, Weller M, Tonn JC. The evolving role of neurosurgery for central nervous system metastases in the era of personalized cancer therapy. Eur J Cancer 2021; 156:93-108. [PMID: 34425408 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.07.032] [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: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Recent therapeutic advances involving the use of systemic targeted treatments and immunotherapeutic agents in patients with advanced cancers have translated into improved survival rates. Despite the emergence of such promising pharmacological therapies and extended survival, the frequency of metastases in the central nervous system has steadily increased. Effective medical and surgical therapies are available for many patients with brain metastases and need to be incorporated into multi-disciplinary care protocols. The role of neurosurgeons is evolving within these multi-disciplinary care teams. Surgical resection of brain metastases can provide immediate relief from neurological symptoms due to large lesions and provides the histopathological diagnosis in cases of no known primary malignancy. In situations where immunotherapy is part of the oncological treatment plan, surgery may be proposed for expeditious relief of edema to remove the need for steroids. In patients with multiple brain metastases and mixed response to therapeutics or radiosurgery, tumour resampling allows tissue analysis for druggable targets or to distinguish radiation effects from progression. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting may improve quality of life in patients with hydrocephalus associated with leptomeningeal tumour dissemination and may allow for time to administer more therapy thus prolonging overall survival. Addressing the limited efficacy of many oncological drugs for brain metastases due to insufficient blood-brain barrier penetrance, clinical trial protocols in which surgical specimens are analysed after pre-surgical administration of therapeutics offer pharmacodynamic insights. Comprehensive neurosurgical assessment remains an integral element of multi-disciplinary oncological care of patients with brain metastases and is integral to tumour biology research and therapeutic advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Karschnia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Germany
| | - Emilie Le Rhun
- Department of Neurosurgery & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin van den Bent
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stefan J Grau
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Department of Medicine I, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Riccardo Soffietti
- Department of Neuro-Oncology, University and City of Health and Science Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Louisa von Baumgarten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Germany
| | - Manfred Westphal
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Weller
- Department of Neurology & Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joerg-Christian Tonn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ludwig-Maximilians-University School of Medicine, Munich, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Germany.
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11
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Differential Expression of BOC, SPOCK2, and GJD3 Is Associated with Brain Metastasis of ER-Negative Breast Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13122982. [PMID: 34203581 PMCID: PMC8232218 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13122982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Brain metastasis is diagnosed in 30–50% of metastatic breast cancer patients with currently limited treatment strategies and usually short survival rates. In the present study, we aim to identify genes specifically associated with the development of brain metastasis in breast cancer. Therefore, we compared RNA expression profiles from two groups of patients with metastatic breast cancer, with and without brain involvement. Three genes BOC, SPOCK2, and GJD3 were overexpressed in the group of primary breast cancers which developed brain metastasis. Expression profiles were confirmed in an independent breast cancer cohort for both BOC and SPOCK2. In addition, differential overexpression of SPOCK2 and GJD3 mRNA levels were found to be associated with the development of brain metastasis in an external online database of 204 primary breast cancers. Verification of these genes as biomarkers for brain metastasis development in primary breast cancer is warranted. Abstract Background: Brain metastasis is considered one of the major causes of mortality in breast cancer patients. To invade the brain, tumor cells need to pass the blood-brain barrier by mechanisms that are partially understood. In primary ER-negative breast cancers that developed brain metastases, we found that some of the differentially expressed genes play roles in the T cell response. The present study aimed to identify genes involved in the formation of brain metastasis independently from the T cell response. Method: Previously profiled primary breast cancer samples were reanalyzed. Genes that were found to be differentially expressed were confirmed by RT-PCR and by immunohistochemistry using an independent cohort of samples. Results: BOC, SPOCK2, and GJD3 were overexpressed in the primary breast tumors that developed brain metastasis. BOC expression was successfully validated at the protein level. SPOCK2 was validated at both mRNA and protein levels. SPOCK2 and GJD3 mRNA overexpression were also found to be associated with cerebral metastasis in an external online database consisting of 204 primary breast cancers. Conclusion: The overexpression of BOC, SPOCK2, and GJD3 is associated with the invasion of breast cancer into the brain. Further studies to determine their specific function and potential value as brain metastasis biomarkers are required.
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12
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Dono A, Takayasu T, Yan Y, Bundrant BE, Arevalo O, Lopez-Garcia CA, Esquenazi Y, Ballester LY. Differences in Genomic Alterations Between Brain Metastases and Primary Tumors. Neurosurgery 2021; 88:592-602. [PMID: 33369669 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BMs) occur in ∼1/3 of cancer patients and are associated with poor prognosis. Genomic alterations contribute to BM development; however, mutations that predispose and promote BM development are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To identify differences in genomic alterations between BM and primary tumors. METHODS A retrospective cohort of 144 BM patients were tested for genomic alterations (85 lung, 21 breast, 14 melanoma, 4 renal, 4 colon, 3 prostate, 4 others, and 9 unknown carcinomas) by a next-generation sequencing assay interrogating 315 genes. The differences in genomic alterations between BM and primary tumors from COSMIC and TCGA were evaluated by chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Overall survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS The comparison of BM and primary tumors revealed genes that were mutated in BM with increased frequency: TP53, ATR, and APC (lung adenocarcinoma); ARID1A and FGF10 (lung small-cell); PIK3CG, NOTCH3, and TET2 (lung squamous); ERBB2, BRCA2, and AXL1 (breast carcinoma); CDKN2A/B, PTEN, RUNX1T1, AXL, and FLT4 (melanoma); and ATM, AR, CDKN2A/B, TERT, and TSC1 (renal clear-cell carcinoma). Moreover, our results indicate that lung adenocarcinoma BM patients with CREBBP, GPR124, or SPTA1 mutations have a worse prognosis. Similarly, ERBB2, CDK12, or TP53 mutations are associated with worse prognosis in breast cancer BM patients. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrates significant differences in the frequency of mutations between primary tumors and BM and identifies targetable alterations and genes that correlate with prognosis. Identifying the genomic alterations that are enriched in metastatic central nervous system tumors could help our understanding of BM development and improve patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Dono
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Takeshi Takayasu
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Yuanqing Yan
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Bethany E Bundrant
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Octavio Arevalo
- Department of Diagnostic and Inteventional Imaging, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Carlos A Lopez-Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas
| | - Yoshua Esquenazi
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Memorial Hermann Hospital-TMC, Houston, Texas
| | - Leomar Y Ballester
- Vivian L. Smith Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Texas.,Memorial Hermann Hospital-TMC, Houston, Texas
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13
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The Infratentorial Localization of Brain Metastases May Correlate with Specific Clinical Characteristics and Portend Worse Outcomes Based on Voxel-Wise Mapping. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13020324. [PMID: 33477374 PMCID: PMC7831020 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13020324] [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: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The infratentorial regions are vulnerable to develop brain metastases (BMs). However, the associations between the infratentorial localization of BMs and clinical characteristics remained unclear. We retrospectively studied 1102 patients with 4365 BM lesions. Voxel-wise mapping of MRI was applied to construct the tumor frequency heatmaps after normalization and segmentation. The analysis of differential involvement (ADIFFI) was further used to obtain statistically significant clusters. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used to analyze the prognosis. The parietal, insular and left occipital lobes, and cerebellum were vulnerable to BMs with high relative metastatic risks. Infratentorial areas were site-specifically affected by the lung, breast, and colorectal cancer BMs, but inversely avoided by melanoma BMs. Significant infratentorial clusters were associated with young age, male sex, lung neuroendocrine and squamous cell carcinomas, high expression of Ki-67 of primaries and BMs, and patients with poorer prognosis. Inferior OS was observed in patients with ≥3 BMs and those who received whole-brain radiotherapy alone. Infratentorial involvement of BMs was an independent risk factor of poor prognosis for patients who received surgery (p = 0.023, hazard ratio = 1.473, 95% confidence interval = 1.055-2.058). The current study may add valuable clinical recognition of BMs and provide references for BMs diagnosis, treatment evaluation, and prognostic prediction.
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14
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Schoenmaekers JJAO, Paats MS, Dingemans AMC, Hendriks LEL. Central nervous system metastases and oligoprogression during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer: how to treat and when? Transl Lung Cancer Res 2020; 9:2599-2617. [PMID: 33489821 PMCID: PMC7815343 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Up to 70% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients develop central nervous system (CNS) metastases during the course of their disease, especially those with oncogenic drivers treated with a first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), because of the relatively poor CNS penetration. CNS metastases are associated with a negative impact on quality of life and survival. As, with the introduction of newer generation TKIs, the survival rates are increasing in this particular population, treatment and/or prevention of CNS metastases becomes even more relevant and the TKI with the best CNS efficacy should be selected. Unfortunately, CNS efficacy data in clinical trials are not fully comparable. Furthermore, oligoprogression to the brain without extracranial progression regularly occurs in the oncogenic driver population and both local therapy and switch of systemic therapy are possible treatment options. However, the best order of systemic and local therapy is still not precisely known. In this narrative review, we will summarize incidence and treatment of CNS metastases in oncogene driven NSCLC, including the optimal treatment of CNS oligometastatic disease (synchronous as well as oligoprogressive).
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna Josephus Anna Oda Schoenmaekers
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands;,Department of Pulmonary Diseases GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marthe Sentijna Paats
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie Clasina Dingemans
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands;,Department of Pulmonary Diseases GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands;,Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lizza Elisabeth Lucia Hendriks
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands;,Department of Pulmonary Diseases GROW, School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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15
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Steindl A, Berghoff AS. Brain metastases in metastatic cancer: a review of recent advances in systemic therapies. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2020; 21:325-339. [PMID: 33196341 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2021.1851200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Brain metastases (BM) are a frequent complication of metastatic cancer. Due to the wider availability and application of screening procedures, an increasing fraction of patients are diagnosed at the asymptomatic stage. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies has revolutionized treatment in several frequently BM-causing entities like metastatic lung cancer, melanoma and breast cancer. However, registered trials of new targeted and immunotherapy mostly excluded patients with BM resulting in limited knowledge of the intracranial efficacy of new systemic agents.Areas covered: The present review highlights recent advances in systemic therapies for the treatment and prophylaxis of the three leading BM causing tumors: NSCLC, melanoma and breast cancer.Expert opinion: High intracranial efficacy was observed for several next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors, especially in patients with asymptomatic disease. Ongoing discussions addressed the need for local therapies in patients with asymptomatic BM and the availability of systemic therapy with high intracranial efficacy. Further BM-specific studies as well as BM-specific endpoints in registered trials are needed to define the role of systemic monotherapies in patients with BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Steindl
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna S Berghoff
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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16
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Magwenyane AM, Mhlongo NN, Lawal MM, Amoako DG, Somboro AM, Sosibo SC, Shunmugam L, Khan RB, Kumalo HM. Understanding the Hsp90 N-terminal Dynamics: Structural and Molecular Insights into the Therapeutic Activities of Anticancer Inhibitors Radicicol (RD) and Radicicol Derivative (NVP-YUA922). Molecules 2020; 25:E1785. [PMID: 32295059 PMCID: PMC7221724 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a crucial component in carcinogenesis and serves as a molecular chaperone that facilitates protein maturation whilst protecting cells against temperature-induced stress. The function of Hsp90 is highly dependent on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding to the N-terminal domain of the protein. Thus, inhibition through displacement of ATP by means of competitive binding with a suitable organic molecule is considered an attractive topic in cancer research. Radicicol (RD) and its derivative, resorcinylic isoxazole amine NVP-AUY922 (NVP), have shown promising pharmacodynamics against Hsp90 activity. To date, the underlying binding mechanism of RD and NVP has not yet been investigated. In this study, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the binding mechanism of RD and NVP, from an atomistic perspective. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations enabled the analyses of the compounds' electronic properties and results obtained proved to be significant in which NVP was predicted to be more favorable with solvation free energy value of -23.3 kcal/mol and highest stability energy of 75.5 kcal/mol for a major atomic delocalization. Molecular dynamic (MD) analysis revealed NVP bound to Hsp90 (NT-NVP) is more stable in comparison to RD (NT-RD). The Hsp90 protein exhibited a greater binding affinity for NT-NVP (-49.4 ± 3.9 kcal/mol) relative to NT-RD (-28.9 ± 4.5 kcal/mol). The key residues influential in this interaction are Gly 97, Asp 93 and Thr 184. These findings provide valuable insights into the Hsp90 dynamics and will serve as a guide for the design of potent novel inhibitors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayanda M. Magwenyane
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Ndumiso N. Mhlongo
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Monsurat M. Lawal
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Daniel G. Amoako
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
- Biomedical Resource Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Anou M. Somboro
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
- Biomedical Resource Unit, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Sphelele C. Sosibo
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, North West University, Mafikeng Campus, Mmabatho 2790, South Africa;
| | - Letitia Shunmugam
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Rene B. Khan
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Hezekiel M. Kumalo
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (A.M.M.); (N.N.M.); (M.M.L.); (D.G.A.); (A.M.S.); (L.S.); (R.B.K.)
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17
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Kristensen BW, Priesterbach-Ackley LP, Petersen JK, Wesseling P. Molecular pathology of tumors of the central nervous system. Ann Oncol 2019; 30:1265-1278. [PMID: 31124566 PMCID: PMC6683853 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdz164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the update of the 4th edition of the WHO Classification of Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors published in 2016, particular molecular characteristics are part of the definition of a subset of these neoplasms. This combined 'histo-molecular' approach allows for a much more precise diagnosis of especially diffuse gliomas and embryonal CNS tumors. This review provides an update of the most important diagnostic and prognostic markers for state-of-the-art diagnosis of primary CNS tumors. Defining molecular markers for diffuse gliomas are IDH1/IDH2 mutations, 1p/19q codeletion and mutations in histone H3 genes. Medulloblastomas, the most frequent embryonal CNS tumors, are divided into four molecularly defined groups according to the WHO 2016 Classification: wingless/integrated (WNT) signaling pathway activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway activated and tumor protein p53 gene (TP53)-mutant, SHH-activated and TP53-wildtype, and non-WNT/non-SHH-activated. Molecular characteristics are also important for the diagnosis of several other CNS tumors, such as RELA fusion-positive subtype of ependymoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes, and solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma. Immunohistochemistry is a helpful alternative for further molecular characterization of several of these tumors. Additionally, genome-wide methylation profiling is a very promising new tool in CNS tumor diagnostics. Much progress has thus been made by translating the most relevant molecular knowledge into a more precise clinical diagnosis of CNS tumors. Hopefully, this will enable more specific and more effective therapeutic approaches for the patients suffering from these tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/pharmacology
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis
- Biomarkers, Tumor/antagonists & inhibitors
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy
- Brain Neoplasms/genetics
- Brain Neoplasms/mortality
- DNA Methylation
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects
- Glioma/diagnosis
- Glioma/drug therapy
- Glioma/genetics
- Glioma/mortality
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods
- Mutation
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnosis
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/drug therapy
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/genetics
- Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/mortality
- Prognosis
- Survival Rate
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- B W Kristensen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | | | - J K Petersen
- Department of Pathology, Odense University Hospital, Odense; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - P Wesseling
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht; Department of Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers/VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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18
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Achrol AS, Rennert RC, Anders C, Soffietti R, Ahluwalia MS, Nayak L, Peters S, Arvold ND, Harsh GR, Steeg PS, Chang SD. Brain metastases. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:5. [PMID: 30655533 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-018-0055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 529] [Impact Index Per Article: 105.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 20% of all patients with cancer will develop brain metastases, with the majority of brain metastases occurring in those with lung, breast and colorectal cancers, melanoma or renal cell carcinoma. Brain metastases are thought to occur via seeding of circulating tumour cells into the brain microvasculature; within this unique microenvironment, tumour growth is promoted and the penetration of systemic medical therapies is limited. Development of brain metastases remains a substantial contributor to overall cancer mortality in patients with advanced-stage cancer because prognosis remains poor despite multimodal treatments and advances in systemic therapies, which include a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Thus, interest abounds in understanding the mechanisms that drive brain metastases so that they can be targeted with preventive therapeutic strategies and in understanding the molecular characteristics of brain metastases relative to the primary tumour so that they can inform targeted therapy selection. Increased molecular understanding of the disease will also drive continued development of novel immunotherapies and targeted therapies that have higher bioavailability beyond the blood-tumour barrier and drive advances in radiotherapies and minimally invasive surgical techniques. As these discoveries and innovations move from the realm of basic science to preclinical and clinical applications, future outcomes for patients with brain metastases are almost certain to improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achal Singh Achrol
- Department of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences, John Wayne Cancer Institute and Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, CA, USA.
| | - Robert C Rennert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Carey Anders
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Manmeet S Ahluwalia
- Burkhardt Brain Tumor and Neuro-Oncology Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lakshmi Nayak
- Center for Neuro-Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Solange Peters
- Medical Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nils D Arvold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Luke's Cancer Center, Duluth, MN, USA
| | - Griffith R Harsh
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Patricia S Steeg
- Women's Malignancies Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven D Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of California-Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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19
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Priesterbach-Ackley LP, Wesseling P, Snijders TJ, de Vos FYFL, de Leng WWJ. Molecular tools for the pathologic diagnosis of central nervous system tumors. Neurooncol Pract 2019; 6:4-16. [PMID: 31386041 PMCID: PMC6656323 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npy041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular diagnostics currently has a crucial role in neuro-oncological patient care. (Epi)genetic assays testing for point mutations, copy number variations, gene fusions, translocations, and methylation status are of main diagnostic interest in neuro-oncology. Multiple assays have been developed for this purpose, ranging from single gene tests to high-throughput, integrated techniques enabling detection of multiple genetic aberrations in a single workflow. This review describes the nature of the simpler and more complex assays for molecular diagnostics of tumors of the central nervous system and briefly discusses their strengths and weaknesses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pieter Wesseling
- Department of Pathology, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology and University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center/Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom J Snijders
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Filip Y F L de Vos
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wendy W J de Leng
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Liao L, Ji X, Ge M, Zhan Q, Huang R, Liang X, Zhou X. Characterization of genetic alterations in brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. FEBS Open Bio 2018; 8:1544-1552. [PMID: 30186753 PMCID: PMC6120240 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain metastasis (BM) is the primary contributor to mortality in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Although the findings of NSCLC genetic sequencing studies suggest the potential for personalizing therapeutic approaches, the genetic profiles and underlying mechanisms of BM progression remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the genetic profiles of brain metastases from NSCLC in six patients with primary tumors and corresponding BM samples via whole exome sequencing and targeted panel sequencing. We have demonstrated considerable genetic heterogeneity between primary lung cancer and corresponding brain metastases specimens. High‐frequency mutations were found in NOTCH2,NOTCH2NL,FANCD2,EGFR, and TP53. Additionally, EGFR and TP53 consistently exhibited high frequencies of mutation between primary tumors and corresponding brain metastases. The implication is that most of the genetic alterations may be acquired or lost during malignant progression, and the stable EGFR and TP53 mutational status between paired primary tumors and metastatic sites confirms that most mutations detected on analysis of the primary tumor or metastases are sufficient for clinical decision‐making, and suggest there is no need to re‐biopsy recurrent tumors or metastases for most NSCLC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liao
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China.,Department of Oncology Shanghai Medical College Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Xiaoyu Ji
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Mengxi Ge
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Qiong Zhan
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Ruofan Huang
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Xiaohua Liang
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Xinli Zhou
- Department of Oncology Huashan Hospital Fudan University Shanghai China
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21
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Berghoff AS, Preusser M. New developments in brain metastases. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2018; 11:1756286418785502. [PMID: 30034538 PMCID: PMC6048670 DOI: 10.1177/1756286418785502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with brain metastases (BM) are a population of high clinical need for new therapeutic approaches due to, as yet, very impaired survival prognosis. However, only few clinical trials have specifically addressed this prognostically highly heterogeneous patient population. New developments in the treatment of BM patients aim to reduce the side effects of local therapies, for example, by redefining the indications for stereotactic radiosurgery and whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or introducing new applications like hippocampal sparing WBRT. Furthermore, systemic therapies become a more important treatment approach in patients harboring targetable mutations, as recent BM-specific endpoints in several phase III trials have shown promising intracranial efficacy. In addition, immune-checkpoint inhibitors show promising intracranial efficacy, particularly in patients with melanoma and non-small lung cancer BM. Here, we provide a review on the recent new developments in the local and systemic therapy approaches in BM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S. Berghoff
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Department of Medicine I and Comprehensive
Cancer Center CNS Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer
Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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22
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Wilson GD, Johnson MD, Ahmed S, Cardenas PY, Grills IS, Thibodeau BJ. Targeted DNA sequencing of non-small cell lung cancer identifies mutations associated with brain metastases. Oncotarget 2018; 9:25957-25970. [PMID: 29899834 PMCID: PMC5995256 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study explores the hypothesis that dominant molecular oncogenes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with metastatic spread to the brain. Methods NSCLC patient groups with no evidence of metastasis, with metastatic disease to a non-CNS site, who developed brain metastasis after diagnosis, and patients with simultaneous diagnosis of NSCLC and metastatic brain lesions were studied using targeted sequencing. Results In patients with brain metastasis versus those without, only 2 variants (one each in BCL6 and NOTHC2) were identified that occurred in ≥ 4 NSCLC of patients with brain metastases but ≤ 1 of the NSCLC samples without brain metastases. At the gene level, 20 genes were found to have unique variants in more than 33% of the patients with brain metastases. When analyzed at the patient level, these 20 genes formed the basis of a predictive test to discriminate those with brain metastasis. Further analysis showed that PI3K/AKT signaling is altered in both the primary and metastases of NSCLC patients with brain lesions. Conclusion While no single variant was associated with brain metastasis, this study describes a potential gene panel for the identification of patients at risk and implicates PI3K/AKT signaling as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA.,Beaumont BioBank, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, McLaren Health Care, Macomb, MI, USA
| | - Samreen Ahmed
- Beaumont BioBank, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA
| | | | - Inga S Grills
- Department of Radiation Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA
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23
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Radiological evaluation of response to immunotherapy in brain tumors: Where are we now and where are we going? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 126:135-144. [PMID: 29759556 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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24
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5-ALA fluorescence of cerebral metastases and its impact for the local-in-brain progression. Oncotarget 2018; 7:66776-66789. [PMID: 27564260 PMCID: PMC5341837 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim of the present study was to analyze the oncological impact of 5-ALA fluorescence of cerebral metastases. A retrospective analysis was performed for 84 patients who underwent 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery of a cerebral metastasis. Dichotomized fluorescence behavior was correlated to the histopathological subtype and primary site of the metastases, the degree of surgical resection on an early postoperative MRI within 72 hours after surgery, the local in-brain-progression rate and the overall survival. 34/84 metastases (40.5%) showed either strong or faint and 50 metastases (59.5%) no 5-ALA derived fluorescence. Neither the primary site of the cerebral metastases nor their subtype correlated with fluorescence behavior. The dichotomized 5-ALA fluorescence (yes vs. no) had no statistical influence on the degree of surgical resection. Local in-brain progression within or at the border of the resection cavity was observed in 26 patients (30.9%). A significant correlation between 5-ALA fluorescence and local in-brain-progression rate was observed and patients with 5-ALA-negative metastases had a significant higher risk of local recurrence compared to patients with 5-ALA positive metastases. After exclusion of the 20 patients without any form of adjuvant radiation therapy, there was a trend towards a relation of the 5-ALA behavior on the local recurrence rate and the time to local recurrence, although results did not reach significance anymore. Absence of 5-ALA-induced fluorescence may be a risk factor for local in-brain-progression but did not influence the mean overall survival. Therefore, the dichotomized 5-ALA fluorescence pattern might be an indicator for a more aggressive tumor.
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25
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Lopes MBS. Metastatic diseases of the central nervous system - neuropathologic aspects. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 149:67-73. [PMID: 29307362 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811161-1.00005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A large percentage of patients with cancer will develop brain metastases, and many of them will die within a few months following diagnosis of intracranial metastasis. Although the majority of the central nervous system metastases are derived from a well-known primary neoplasm, about 5-10% of brain metastases are from an unknown source, making the tissue diagnosis a first step in the search for a primary malignancy. The pathologist utilizes several immunohistochemical and molecular diagnostic tools for such investigation, helping the clinical oncologist to narrow down the clinical and radiologic exploration. Recently, analysis of actionable biomarkers for target therapy in brain metastasis has become significant due to reports of discrepancy of potential biomarkers between primary tumors and metastatic brain deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Beatriz S Lopes
- Departments of Pathology and Neurological Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States.
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26
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Nolan C, Deangelis LM. Overview of metastatic disease of the central nervous system. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 149:3-23. [PMID: 29307359 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811161-1.00001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2016, the American Society of Clinical Oncology reported that 1.7 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer; this number will rise to 2.3 million in the United States and 22 million worldwide in 2030. This rising need is being met by an explosion of new cancer therapies, including: immune checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell therapies, tumor vaccines, antiangiogenic therapies, and various targeted therapies. This armamentarium of targeted therapies has led to better systemic control of disease and longer patient overall survival (OS). The incidence of metastatic disease to the central nervous system (CNS) is rising as patients are living longer with these more effective systemic therapies. Prolonged OS allows increased time to develop CNS metastases. The CNS is also a sanctuary for metastatic tumor cells that are protected from full exposure to therapeutic concentrations of most anticancer agents by the blood-brain barrier, the tumor microenvironment, and immune system. In addition, CNS metastases often develop late in the course of the disease, so patients are frequently heavily pretreated, resulting in drug resistance. Although genomic profiling has led to more effective therapies for systemic disease, the same therapy may not be effective in treating CNS disease, not only due to failure of blood-brain barrier penetration, but from discordance between the molecular profile in systemic and CNS tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig Nolan
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States.
| | - Lisa M Deangelis
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States
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27
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Nicoś M, Jarosz B, Krawczyk P, Wojas‐Krawczyk K, Kucharczyk T, Sawicki M, Pankowski J, Trojanowski T, Milanowski J. Screening for ALK abnormalities in central nervous system metastases of non-small-cell lung cancer. Brain Pathol 2018; 28:77-86. [PMID: 27879019 PMCID: PMC8028499 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement was reported in 3%-7% of primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its presence is commonly associated with adenocarcinoma (AD) type and non-smoking history. ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as crizotinib, alectinib and ceritinib showed efficiency in patients with primary NSCLC harboring ALK gene rearrangement. Moreover, response to ALK TKIs was observed in central nervous system (CNS) metastatic lesions of NSCLC. However, there are no reports concerning the frequency of ALK rearrangement in CNS metastases. We assessed the frequency of ALK abnormalities in 145 formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from CNS metastases of NSCLC using immunohistochemical (IHC) automated staining (BenchMark GX, Ventana, USA) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique (Abbot Molecular, USA). The studied group was heterogeneous in terms of histopathology and smoking status. ALK abnormalities were detected in 4.8% (7/145) of CNS metastases. ALK abnormalities were observed in six AD (7.5%; 6/80) and in single patients with adenosuqamous lung carcinoma. Analysis of clinical and demographic factors indicated that expression of abnormal ALK was significantly more frequently observed (P = 0.0002; χ2 = 16.783) in former-smokers. Comparison of IHC and FISH results showed some discrepancies, which were caused by unspecific staining of macrophages and glial/nerve cells, which constitute the background of CNS tissues. Their results indicate high frequency of ALK gene rearrangement in CNS metastatic sites of NSCLC that are in line with prior studies concerning evaluation of the presence of ALK abnormalities in such patients. However, they showed that assessment of ALK by IHC and FISH methods in CNS tissues require additional standardizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Nicoś
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and AllergologyMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
- Postgraduate School of Molecular MedicineMedical University of WarsawWarsaw02‐091Poland
| | - Bożena Jarosz
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric NeurosurgeryMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Paweł Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and AllergologyMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Kamila Wojas‐Krawczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and AllergologyMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Tomasz Kucharczyk
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and AllergologyMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Marek Sawicki
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Juliusz Pankowski
- Department of PathologySpecialist Pulmonary Hospital of SokolowskiZakopane34‐500Poland
| | - Tomasz Trojanowski
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatric NeurosurgeryMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
| | - Janusz Milanowski
- Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and AllergologyMedical University of LublinLublin20‐954Poland
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28
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Martínez-Aranda A, Hernández V, Moreno F, Baixeras N, Cuadras D, Urruticoechea A, Gil-Gil M, Vidal N, Andreu X, Seguí MA, Ballester R, Castella E, Sierra A. Predictive and Prognostic Brain Metastases Assessment in Luminal Breast Cancer Patients: FN14 and GRP94 from Diagnosis to Prophylaxis. Front Oncol 2017; 7:283. [PMID: 29250484 PMCID: PMC5716976 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
FN14 has been implicated in many intracellular signaling pathways, and GRP94 is a well-known endoplasmic reticulum protein regulated by glucose. Recently, both have been associated with metastasis progression in breast cancer patients. We studied the usefulness of FN14 and GRP94 expression to stratify breast cancer patients according their risk of brain metastasis (BrM) progression. We analyzed FN14 and GRP94 by immunohistochemistry in a retrospective multicenter study using tissue microarrays from 208 patients with breast carcinomas, of whom 52 had developed BrM. Clinical and pathological characteristics and biomarkers expression in Luminal and non-Luminal patients were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for covariates, and brain metastasis-free survival (BrMFS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. FN14 expression was associated with BrM progression mainly in Luminal breast cancer patients with a sensitivity (53.85%) and specificity (89.60%) similar to Her2 expression (46.15 and 89.84%, respectively). Moreover, the likelihood to develop BrM in FN14-positive Luminal carcinomas increased 36.70-fold (3.65-368.25, p = 0.002). Furthermore, the worst prognostic factor for BrMFS in patients with Luminal carcinomas was FN14 overexpression (HR = 8.25; 95% CI: 2.77-24.61; p = 0.00015). In these patients, GRP94 overexpression also increased the risk of BrM (HR = 3.58; 95% CI: 0.98-13.11; p = 0.054-Wald test). Therefore, FN14 expression in Luminal breast carcinomas is a predictive/prognostic biomarker of BrM, which combined with GRP94 predicts BrM progression in non-Luminal tumors 4.04-fold (1.19-8.22, p = 0.025), suggesting that both biomarkers are useful to stratify BrM risk at early diagnosis. We propose a new follow-up protocol for the early prevention of clinical BrM of breast cancer patients with BrM risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Martínez-Aranda
- Biological Clues of the Invasive and Metastatic Phenotype Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament de Medicina, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Vanessa Hernández
- Biological Clues of the Invasive and Metastatic Phenotype Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute - IDIBELL, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Moreno
- Servei d'Oncologia Radioteràpica, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Hospital Duran i Reynals, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Baixeras
- Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Cuadras
- Statistical Service, Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ander Urruticoechea
- Breast Cancer Unit, Institut Català d'Oncologia - IDIBELL, Hospital Duran i Reynals, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Gil-Gil
- Neuroncology Unit, Institut Català d'Oncologia - IDIBELL, Hospital Duran i Reynals, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Vidal
- Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Andreu
- Servei d'Anatomia Patològica, Consorci Hospitalari Parc Taulí, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miquel A Seguí
- Servei d'Oncología Mèdica, Consorci Hospitalari Parc Taulí, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa Ballester
- Servei d'Oncología Radioteràpica, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Castella
- Servei d'Anatomia Patològica de Can Ruti, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angels Sierra
- Laboratory of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer-IDIBAPS, Centre de Recerca Biomèdica CELLEX, Barcelona, Spain.,Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de VIC-Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
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29
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Han CH, Brastianos PK. Genetic Characterization of Brain Metastases in the Era of Targeted Therapy. Front Oncol 2017; 7:230. [PMID: 28993799 PMCID: PMC5622141 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2017.00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current era of molecularly targeted therapies and precision medicine, choice of cancer treatment has been increasingly tailored according to the molecular or genomic characterization of the cancer the individual has. Previously, the clinical observation of inadequate control of brain metastases was widely attributed to a lack of central nervous system (CNS) penetration of the anticancer drugs. However, more recent data have suggested that there are genetic explanations for such observations. Genomic analyses of brain metastases and matching primary tumor and other extracranial metastases have revealed that brain metastases can harbor potentially actionable driver mutations that are unique to them. Identification of genomic alterations specific to brain metastases and targeted therapies against these mutations represent an important research area to potentially improve survival outcomes for patients who develop brain metastases. Novel approaches in genomic testing such as that using cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) facilitate advancing our understanding of the genomics of brain metastases, which is critical for precision medicine. CSF-derived ctDNA sequencing may be particularly useful in patients who are unfit for surgical resection or have multiple brain metastases, which can harbor mutations that are distinct from their primary tumors. Compared to the traditional chemotherapeutics, novel targeted agents appear to be more effective in controlling the CNS disease with better safety profiles. Several brain metastases-dedicated trials of various targeted therapies are currently underway to address the role of these agents in the treatment of CNS disease. This review focuses on recent advances in genomic profiling of brain metastases and current knowledge of targeted therapies in the management of brain metastases from cancers of the breast, lung, colorectum, kidneys, and ovaries as well as melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine H Han
- Departments of Neurology and Radiation Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Departments of Neurology and Radiation Oncology, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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30
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Chukwueke UN, Brastianos PK. Sequencing brain metastases and opportunities for targeted therapies. Pharmacogenomics 2017; 18:585-594. [PMID: 28290769 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CNS metastases have long been recognized as a common and late complication of systemic malignancies. They represent the most common tumor of the brain. As outcomes and overall survival improve with better tolerated and more durable responses from therapies for systemic cancers, the incidence and prevalence of brain metastases is likely to increase. Among the most common systemic cancers leading to brain metastases include lung, melanoma, breast (triple-negative histology) and renal cell cancers. To date, there has been infrequent involvement of gastrointestinal and gynecologic malignancies; however, this may also change, reflecting improvement in overall survival and therapeutic regimens. Traditional therapy of brain metastases has focused on surgery, radiation therapy or best supportive/palliative care. The advent of modern genomic techniques, including next-generation and whole-exome sequencing, has allowed for the identification of unique markers and potential drivers of metastatic pathways. This review aims to discuss and highlight the known drivers of disease and the opportunities for ultimate development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugonma N Chukwueke
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Priscilla K Brastianos
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Division of Neuro-Oncology, Department of Neurology Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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31
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Molecular Markers and Targeted Therapeutics in Metastatic Tumors of the Spine: Changing the Treatment Paradigms. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2016; 41 Suppl 20:S218-S223. [PMID: 27488299 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000001833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY TYPE A review of the literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to discuss the evolution of molecular signatures and the history and development of targeted therapeutics in metastatic tumor types affecting the spinal column. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Molecular characterization of metastatic spine tumors is expected to usher in a revolution in diagnostic and treatment paradigms. Molecular characterization will provide critical information that can be used for initial diagnosis, prognosticating the ideal treatment strategy, assessment of treatment efficacy, surveillance and monitoring recurrence, and predicting complications, clinical outcome, and overall survival in patients diagnosed with metastatic cancers to the spinal column. METHODS A review of the literature was performed focusing on illustrative examples of the role that molecular-based therapeutics have played in clinical outcomes for patients diagnosed with metastatic tumor types affecting the spinal column. RESULTS The impact of molecular therapeutics including receptor tyrosine kinases and immune checkpoint inhibitors and the ability of molecular signatures to provide prognostic information are discussed in metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and renal cell cancer affecting the spinal column. CONCLUSION For the providers who will ultimately counsel patients diagnosed with metastases to the spinal column, molecular advancements will radically alter the management/surgical paradigms utilized. Ultimately, the translation of these molecular advancements into routine clinical care will greatly improve the quality and quantity of life for patients diagnosed with spinal malignancies and provide better overall outcomes and counseling for treating physicians. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE N/A.
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32
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Evaluation of Dose-Staged Gamma Knife Radiosurgical Treatment Method for High-Risk Brain Metastases. World Neurosurg 2016; 94:352-359. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2016.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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33
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Harter PN, Bernatz S, Scholz A, Zeiner PS, Zinke J, Kiyose M, Blasel S, Beschorner R, Senft C, Bender B, Ronellenfitsch MW, Wikman H, Glatzel M, Meinhardt M, Juratli TA, Steinbach JP, Plate KH, Wischhusen J, Weide B, Mittelbronn M. Distribution and prognostic relevance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoints in human brain metastases. Oncotarget 2016; 6:40836-49. [PMID: 26517811 PMCID: PMC4747372 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The activation of immune cells by targeting checkpoint inhibitors showed promising results with increased patient survival in distinct primary cancers. Since only limited data exist for human brain metastases, we aimed at characterizing tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and expression of immune checkpoints in the respective tumors. Two brain metastases cohorts, a mixed entity cohort (n = 252) and a breast carcinoma validation cohort (n = 96) were analyzed for CD3+, CD8+, FOXP3+, PD-1+ lymphocytes and PD-L1+ tumor cells by immunohistochemistry. Analyses for association with clinico-epidemiological and neuroradiological parameters such as patient survival or tumor size were performed. TILs infiltrated brain metastases in three different patterns (stromal, peritumoral, diffuse). While carcinomas often show a strong stromal infiltration, TILs in melanomas often diffusely infiltrate the tumors. Highest levels of CD3+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were seen in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and strongest PD-1 levels on RCCs and melanomas. High amounts of TILs, high ratios of PD-1+/CD8+ cells and high levels of PD-L1 were negatively correlated with brain metastases size, indicating that in smaller brain metastases CD8+ immune response might get blocked. PD-L1 expression strongly correlated with TILs and FOXP3 expression. No significant association of patient survival with TILs was observed, while high levels of PD-L1 showed a strong trend towards better survival in melanoma brain metastases (Log-Rank p = 0.0537). In summary, melanomas and RCCs seem to be the most immunogenic entities. Differences in immunotherapeutic response between tumor entities regarding brain metastases might be attributable to this finding and need further investigation in larger patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick N Harter
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Bernatz
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander Scholz
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Laboratory of Immunology and Vascular Biology, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Pia S Zeiner
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jenny Zinke
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Makoto Kiyose
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stella Blasel
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rudi Beschorner
- Department of Neuropathology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Christian Senft
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Benjamin Bender
- Department of Neuroradiology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michael W Ronellenfitsch
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Harriet Wikman
- Department of Tumor biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Tareq A Juratli
- Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Joachim P Steinbach
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Senckenberg Institute of Neurooncology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karl H Plate
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Wischhusen
- Department of Gynecology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Weide
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Immunology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michel Mittelbronn
- Edinger Institute, Institute of Neurology, University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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34
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Prognostic role of tumour-infiltrating inflammatory cells in brain tumours: literature review. Curr Opin Neurol 2016; 28:647-58. [PMID: 26402405 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Both primary and metastatic brain tumours pose a significant and unmet clinical need. Immune cells infiltrating the tumour have been shown to affect the clinical course of various extracranial tumour types, but there is little knowledge on the role of tumour-infiltrating immune cells in brain tumours. Thus, the aim of this review was to recapitulate the reports on immune infiltrates in brain tumours and their prognostic significance. RECENT FINDINGS Immune infiltrates composed of various lymphocyte subsets and microglia/macrophages are frequently observed in brain tumours; however, their density and prognostic role seem to differ between tumour types. Central nervous system (CNS) metastases, particularly of melanoma, lung cancer and renal cell cancer, commonly show high amounts of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes density strongly correlate with patient's overall survival times in patients with CNS metastases. In gliomas and primary CNS lymphomas, some studies also suggest a prognostic role of immune cell infiltration; however, methodological issues such as low sample size and retrospective study designs with heterogeneous patient populations preclude definite conclusions. Meningiomas typically harbour inflammatory infiltrates, but their correlation with the clinical course is unclear because of the lack of studies correlating immune cell infiltrates with outcome parameters. SUMMARY The available literature suggests a relevant role of immune infiltrates in the clinical course of some brain tumour types; however, further studies are required to better understand the interaction of the immune system and CNS neoplasms and to explore therapeutic opportunities with immunotherapies such as vaccines or immune checkpoint modulators.
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35
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The impact of cerebral metastases growth pattern on neurosurgical treatment. Neurosurg Rev 2016; 41:77-86. [DOI: 10.1007/s10143-016-0760-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lukas RV, Kumthekar P, Rizvi S, Salgia R. Systemic therapies in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer brain metastases. Future Oncol 2016; 12:1045-58. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.16.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastases are common. Even though there are various subsets of NSCLC with molecular alterations, there is a common theme of brain metastases. Current treatment modalities are suboptimal. Systemic therapies for the treatment of NSCLC brain metastases have been explored and recent advances may pave the way for their successful employment in this patient population. While no specific agents have been associated with a marked benefit, stability of disease as well as radiographic responses have been noted in some patients. Biological activity of systemic therapies in some patients with NSCLC brain metastases raises hope for future advances and supports further investigation for this patient population with limited treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rimas V Lukas
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Priya Kumthekar
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Ravi Salgia
- Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
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37
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Genetic variants associated with colorectal brain metastases susceptibility and survival. THE PHARMACOGENOMICS JOURNAL 2015; 17:29-35. [PMID: 26689941 DOI: 10.1038/tpj.2015.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal brain metastases (BM) are rare (1-2%) and a late-stage disease manifestation. Molecular mechanisms for BM development are not well understood. We tested whether variants within genes involved in overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are associated with BM susceptibility and survival in patients with BM. Germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, n=17) in seven genes (CXCR4, MMP9, ST6GALNAC5, ITGAV, ITGB1, ITGB3, KLF4) were analyzed from germline DNA in patients with resected BM (n=70) or no clinical evidence of BM after at least 24 months from diagnosis (control group, n=45). SNPs were evaluated for association with BM susceptibility and overall survival (OS) from BM diagnosis. ST6GALNAC5 rs17368584 and ITGB3 rs3809865 were significantly associated with BM susceptibility. In multivariable analysis adjusted for patient characteristics, KLF4 rs2236599, ITGAV rs10171481, ST6GALNAC5 rs1883778, CXCR4 rs2680880 and ITGB3 rs5918 were significant for OS. This study shows for the first time that variants within genes involved in breaching the BBB are associated with BM susceptibility and survival. These findings warrant further validation to develop better screening guidelines and to identify novel therapy targets for patients with BM.
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38
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Expression profiling of angiogenesis-related genes in brain metastases of lung cancer and melanoma. Tumour Biol 2015; 37:1173-82. [DOI: 10.1007/s13277-015-3790-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Berghoff AS, Preusser M. The future of targeted therapies for brain metastases. Future Oncol 2015; 11:2315-27. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases (BM) are an increasing challenge in the management of patients with advanced cancer. Treatment options for BM are limited and mainly focus on the application of local therapies. Systemic therapies including targeted therapies are only poorly investigated, as patients with BM were frequently excluded from clinical trials. Several targeted therapies have shown promising activity in patients with BM. In the present review we discuss existing and emerging targeted therapies for the most frequent BM primary tumor types. We focus on challenges in the conduction of clinical trials on targeted therapies in BM patients such as patient selection, combination with radiotherapy, the obstacles of the blood–brain barrier and the definition of study end points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna S Berghoff
- Department for Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center – CNS Tumors Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Preusser
- Department for Medicine I, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Clinical Division of Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center – CNS Tumors Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Preusser M, Berghoff AS, Koller R, Zielinski CC, Hainfellner JA, Liebmann-Reindl S, Popitsch N, Geier CB, Streubel B, Birner P. Spectrum of gene mutations detected by next generation exome sequencing in brain metastases of lung adenocarcinoma. Eur J Cancer 2015; 51:1803-11. [PMID: 26164066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2015.06.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BM) are a life-threatening complication. We aimed to analyse gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma BM. METHODS We performed next generation sequencing (NGS) of a pre-defined set of 48 cancer-related genes in a cohort of 76 neurosurgical lung adenocarcinoma BM specimens using a cancer specific gene panel on the MiSeq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA). NGS results were statistically correlated to patient characteristics. Data on ALK, ROS1, MET and FGFR1 gene status assessed by FISH were available from previous studies in the majority of patients. RESULTS Twenty-nine (60.4%) of the 48 investigated cancer-related genes were mutated in at least one BM sample and 64 (84.2%) of the 76 BM samples carried at least one mutated gene. The number of mutated genes per sample ranged from 0 to 9 (median 2). The most commonly mutated genes were TP53, KRAS and CDKN2A, which were affected in 35/76 (46.1%), 29/76 (38.2%) and 17/76 (22.4%) samples, respectively. Other potentially druggable alterations included EGFR mutations (3/76, 3.9% of samples), PIK3CA mutation (2/76, 2.6%), BRAF mutation (1/76, 1.3%) and SMO mutation (1/76, 1.3%). Presence of KRAS mutations was associated with positive smoking history (p=0.015, Chi square test) and presence of EGFR mutation correlated with unfavourable overall survival time from BM diagnosis (p=0.019, log rank test). CONCLUSIONS Deleterious gene mutations, some of them with potential therapeutic implications, are found in a high fraction of lung adenocarcinoma BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Preusser
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna S Berghoff
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Romina Koller
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph C Zielinski
- Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes A Hainfellner
- Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Niko Popitsch
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna (CIBIV), University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christoph B Geier
- Immunology Outpatient Clinic, Schwarzspanierstraße 15/1/9, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Berthold Streubel
- Core facilities, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
| | - Peter Birner
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Central Nervous System Unit (CCC-CNS), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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41
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Kumalo HM, Bhakat S, Soliman ME. Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as anticancer target for drug discovery: an ample computational perspective. Chem Biol Drug Des 2015; 86:1131-60. [PMID: 25958815 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
There are over 100 different types of cancer, and each is classified based on the type of cell that is initially affected. If left untreated, cancer can result in serious health problems and eventually death. Recently, the paradigm of cancer chemotherapy has evolved to use a combination approach, which involves the use of multiple drugs each of which targets an individual protein. Inhibition of heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is one of the novel key cancer targets. Because of its ability to target several signaling pathways, Hsp90 inhibition emerged as a useful strategy to treat a wide variety of cancers. Molecular modeling approaches and methodologies have become 'close counterparts' to experiments in drug design and discovery workflows. A wide range of molecular modeling approaches have been developed, each of which has different objectives and outcomes. In this review, we provide an up-to-date systematic overview on the different computational models implemented toward the design of Hsp90 inhibitors as anticancer agents. Although this is the main emphasis of this review, different topics such as background and current statistics of cancer, different anticancer targets including Hsp90, and the structure and function of Hsp90 from an experimental perspective, for example, X-ray and NMR, are also addressed in this report. To the best of our knowledge, this review is the first account, which comprehensively outlines various molecular modeling efforts directed toward identification of anticancer drugs targeting Hsp90. We believe that the information, methods, and perspectives highlighted in this report would assist researchers in the discovery of potential anticancer agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hezekiel M Kumalo
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Soumendranath Bhakat
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, 4001, South Africa.,Division of Biophysical Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mahmoud E Soliman
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, 4001, South Africa
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Preusser M, Winkler F. [Therapeutic options for brain metastases]. DER NERVENARZT 2015; 86:716-8. [PMID: 25989738 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-015-4278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Brain metastases are common in cancer patients, especially in lung cancer, breast cancer and melanoma and represent a therapeutic challenge. Established local therapeutic procedures include neurosurgical resection, stereotactic irradiation and whole brain radiotherapy; however, for selected patients novel targeted therapies with documented activity against brain metastases are emerging. These include v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) inhibitors, the anticytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTL4A) antibodies ipilimumab in melanoma, HER2 antagonists in breast cancer and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, the modern management of patients with brain metastases should be performed in an interdisciplinary setting and under consideration of relevant molecular markers to facilitate optimal patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Preusser
- Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Comprehensive Cancer Center Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Wien, Österreich,
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Medress Z, Hayden Gephart M. Molecular and Genetic Predictors of Breast-to-Brain Metastasis: Review and Case Presentation. Cureus 2015; 7:e246. [PMID: 26180670 PMCID: PMC4494590 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain metastases are the most common intracranial malignancy, and breast cancer is the second most common cancer to metastasize to the brain. Intracranial disease is a late manifestation of breast cancer with few effective treatment options, affecting 15-50% of breast cancer patients, depending upon molecular subtype. In this review article, we describe the genetic, molecular, and metabolic changes in breast cancer cells that facilitate breast to brain metastasis. We believe that advances in the understanding of breast to brain metastasis pathogenesis will lead to targeted molecular therapies and to improvements in the ability to prospectively identify patients at increased risk for developing intracranial disease.
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