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Rose ML, Sachdeva R, Mezgueldi Y, Yen RW, Serraj LA, Corbett KL, Yock TI. Systematic review and meta-analysis of adjuvant radiation dose for pediatric patients (≤22y) with non-metastatic intracranial ependymomas. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024:S0360-3016(24)03206-1. [PMID: 39147207 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.07.2335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Ependymomas are the third most common brain tumors in children. Standard of care is surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. Controversy in the literature still exists over optimal radiotherapy dose. We completed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the optimal dose for local control (LC), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS) in pediatric patients. MATERIALS & METHODS We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science through January 2024. We included cohort studies that compared adjuvant radiotherapy of ≤54Gy to >54Gy in pediatric patients (≤22 years) with non-metastatic intracranial ependymomas. We assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale of Cohort Studies. We pooled studies using a random effects meta-analysis for hazard ratios (HR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and assessed statistical heterogeneity via I2. When HRs were unavailable, we transformed risks using established methods. We narratively summarized qualitative outcomes. RESULTS Seven studies met our inclusion criteria, covering a combined 1321 patients. Studies included a range of doses from 45-66.6Gy. Compared with >54Gy, we found no difference in LC for those receiving ≤54Gy (HR=0.83, 95% CI 0.56-1.24, I2=49.1%), in EFS (HR=1.02, 95% CI 0.95-1.09, I2=0.00%), and OS (HR=0.99, 95% CI 0.82-1.20, I2=37.5%). Two studies reported on subtotal resection by radiotherapy dose, neither study reporting statistical differences in LC, EFS, or OS, though the number of patients was small (n≤30). Five studies reported on late effects, with brainstem radionecrosis, radiation-induced vasculopathy, and secondary tumors being the most frequent. Overall study quality was high, though lower scores were consistently seen in comparability of cohorts. No studies reported on molecular subgroups. CONCLUSIONS We found no difference in LC, EFS, or OS for those treated with ≤54Gy compared to >54Gy. There was insufficient data to complete a subgroup meta-analysis on radiotherapy dosing based on extent of resection or molecular subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie L Rose
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Lebanon, NH, USA; The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
| | - Rhea Sachdeva
- The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Yakout Mezgueldi
- The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Renata W Yen
- The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | | | - Kelly L Corbett
- The Dartmouth Institute, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth Health Children's, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Szymanski KA, Pincus JE, King TZ. Relationships between cognitive flexibility performance and adaptive behavior outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumor. Clin Neuropsychol 2024:1-30. [PMID: 38946166 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2024.2361967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Survivors of pediatric brain tumors are at increased risk of executive function (EF) and adaptive behavior difficulties. While previous research suggests that executive dysfunction impacts suboptimal adaptive outcomes, the specific elements of EF influencing this relationship remain unexplored. This study examines the relationship between cognitive flexibility and adaptive behavior in survivors compared to healthy controls. Methods: 86 survivors (Mage(SD)=23.41(4.24), 44 females) and 86 controls (Mage(SD)=23.09(4.50), 44 females) completed the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Trail Making Test (TMT) and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT). The Letter-Number Sequencing (LNS) and Category Switching (CS) conditions were isolated as measures of cognitive flexibility. Informants provided responses to obtain adaptive behavior ratings using the Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised (SIB-R). Linear regressions explored relationships between cognitive flexibility and SIB-R scores in survivors compared to controls. Results: For both TMT and VFT, the relationship between cognitive flexibility and adaptive behavior was significantly different between survivors and controls for SIB-R scores in Social Communication, Community Living, and Personal Living Skills (p<.0125). Survivors' better LNS performance predicted greater SIB-R scores across the same 3 domains (all p= <.001, r2semipartial=.08). Similarly, survivors' better CS performance predicted greater SIB-R scores across the same 3 domains (p = 0.002 to .02, r2semipartial =.03 to .04). No significant relationships were found in controls (all p >.05). After adjusting for working memory and inhibitory control, most relationships remained significant in survivors (p= <.001 to .046, r2semipartial=.02 to .08). Conclusion: These findings reveal a robust, positive relationship between cognitive flexibility performance and adaptive behaviors specific to survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie A Szymanski
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jordan E Pincus
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tricia Z King
- Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Jackson A, Hua CH, Olch A, Yorke ED, Rancati T, Milano MT, Constine LS, Marks LB, Bentzen SM. Reporting Standards for Complication Studies of Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Cancer: Lessons From PENTEC. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2024; 119:697-707. [PMID: 38760117 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The major aim of Pediatric Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (PENTEC) was to synthesize quantitative published dose/-volume/toxicity data in pediatric radiation therapy. Such systematic reviews are often challenging because of the lack of standardization and difficulty of reporting outcomes, clinical factors, and treatment details in journal articles. This has clinical consequences: optimization of treatment plans must balance between the risks of toxicity and local failure; counseling patients and their parents requires knowledge of the excess risks encountered after a specific treatment. Studies addressing outcomes after pediatric radiation therapy are particularly challenging because: (a) survivors may live for decades after treatment, and the latency time to toxicity can be very long; (b) children's maturation can be affected by radiation, depending on the developmental status of the organs involved at time of treatment; and (c) treatment regimens frequently involve chemotherapies, possibly modifying and adding to the toxicity of radiation. Here we discuss: basic reporting strategies to account for the actuarial nature of the complications; the reporting of modeling of abnormal development; and the need for standardized, comprehensively reported data sets and multivariate models (ie, accounting for the simultaneous effects of radiation dose, age, developmental status at time of treatment, and chemotherapy dose). We encourage the use of tools that facilitate comprehensive reporting, for example, electronic supplements for journal articles. Finally, we stress the need for clinicians to be able to trust artificial intelligence models of outcome of radiation therapy, which requires transparency, rigor, reproducibility, and comprehensive reporting. Adopting the reporting methods discussed here and in the individual PENTEC articles will increase the clinical and scientific usefulness of individual reports and associated pooled analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jackson
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
| | - Chia-Ho Hua
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Arthur Olch
- Radiation Oncology Department, University of Southern California and Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ellen D Yorke
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Tiziana Rancati
- Data Science Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Michael T Milano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, New York
| | - Louis S Constine
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, New York; Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, New York
| | - Lawrence B Marks
- Department of Radiation Oncology and Lineberger Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Soren M Bentzen
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
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Thomas T, Grieco JA, Pulsifer M. Long term neuropsychological outcomes of a pediatric ETANTR brain tumor: A case study. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2024; 13:180-189. [PMID: 38447131 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2024.2322735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Survivors of pediatric brain tumors are at high risk for long-term neuropsychological difficulties. In the current case study, we present longitudinal neuropsychological data spanning 10 years (from age 9 to 19 years) of a patient with a rare, very large, bifrontal, embryonal tumor with abundant neuropil and true rosettes (ETANTR), which is typically associated with poor survivorship and significant neurological impact. Results demonstrated that the patient had largely intact cognitive functioning with specific difficulties in executive functioning, fine motor skills, and adaptive functioning at her most recent neuropsychology 10-year follow-up. These results highlight outcomes for a patient with remarkable resiliency in the context of numerous risk factors (a very large tumor size, multi-modal treatment, and seizure history). Patient protective factors (a high level of cognitive reserve, family support, and appropriate comprehensive educational services) likely contributed to the patient's favorable neuropsychological outcome. The patient's age at brain tumor diagnosis (9 years) and associated treatment was at a critical period of development for emerging higher order cognitive functions which likely impacted acquisition of executive functioning skills and secondarily adaptive skill outcomes. Consequently, pediatric brain tumor survivors with ETANTR or other frontal tumors require targeted screening of executive functions and proactive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina Thomas
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julie A Grieco
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret Pulsifer
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Iturri L, Bertho A, Lamirault C, Brisebard E, Juchaux M, Gilbert C, Espenon J, Sébrié C, Jourdain L, de Marzi L, Pouzoulet F, Muret J, Verrelle P, Prezado Y. Oxygen supplementation in anesthesia can block FLASH effect and anti-tumor immunity in conventional proton therapy. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:183. [PMID: 38102219 PMCID: PMC10724215 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00411-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiation-induced neurocognitive dysfunction is a major adverse effect of brain radiation therapy and has specific relevance in pediatric oncology, where serious cognitive deficits have been reported in survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Moreover, many pediatric patients receive proton therapy under general anesthesia or sedation to guarantee precise ballistics with a high oxygen content for safety. The present study addresses the relevant question of the potential effect of supplemental oxygen administered during anesthesia on normal tissue toxicity and investigates the anti-tumor immune response generated following conventional and FLASH proton therapy. METHODS Rats (Fischer 344) were cranially irradiated with a single high dose of proton therapy (15 Gy or 25 Gy) using FLASH dose rate proton irradiation (257 ± 2 Gy/s) or conventional dose rate proton irradiation (4 ± 0.02 Gy/s), and the toxicities in the normal tissue were examined by histological, cytometric and behavioral analysis. Glioblastoma-bearing rats were irradiated in the same manner and tumor-infiltrating leukocytes were quantified by flow cytometry. RESULTS Our findings indicate that supplemental oxygen has an adverse impact on both functional and anatomical evaluations of normal brain following conventional and FLASH proton therapy. In addition, oxygen supplementation in anesthesia is particularly detrimental for anti-tumor immune response by preventing a strong immune cell infiltration into tumoral tissues following conventional proton therapy. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the need to further optimize anesthesia protocols used in radiotherapy with the goal of preserving normal tissues and achieving tumor control, specifically in combination with immunotherapy agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorea Iturri
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Annaïg Bertho
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Charlotte Lamirault
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Experimental Radiotherapy Platform, Université Paris Saclay, Orsay, France
| | | | - Marjorie Juchaux
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Cristèle Gilbert
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Julie Espenon
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Catherine Sébrié
- Service Hospitalier Frederic Joliot, CEA, CNRS, Inserm, BIOMAPS Universite Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Laurène Jourdain
- Service Hospitalier Frederic Joliot, CEA, CNRS, Inserm, BIOMAPS Universite Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Ludovic de Marzi
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm U1288, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Radiation Oncology Department, Campus universitaire, Orsay, France
| | - Frédéric Pouzoulet
- Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Experimental Radiotherapy Platform, Université Paris Saclay, Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm U1288, Laboratoire de Recherche Translationnelle en Oncologie (LITO), Orsay, France
| | - Jane Muret
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Paris, France
| | - Pierre Verrelle
- Institut Curie, Radiation Oncology Department, Campus universitaire, Orsay, France
- Institut Curie, Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm U1196, CNRS UMR9187, Chimie et Modélisation pour la Biologie du Cancer (CMBC), Orsay, France
| | - Yolanda Prezado
- Institut Curie, Université PSL, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France.
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS UMR3347, Inserm U1021, Signalisation Radiobiologie et Cancer, Orsay, France.
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Zheng Y, Ong SH, Vellayappan B, Nga VDW. Management of first recurrence or progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone: A systematic review and individual-participant data meta-analysis. J Clin Neurosci 2023; 118:123-131. [PMID: 37922728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2023.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The initial management of craniopharyngioma is generally either gross total resection (GTR) or subtotal resection (STR) with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). However, the optimal management strategy for recurrent/progressive craniopharyngioma remains unclear. In this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the outcomes of surgery and/or RT for the first recurrence/progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone. The exposure was the treatment that was administered for the first recurrence/progression, and the outcomes were tumor regrowth and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses were performed by age at the treatment for the first recurrence/progression (<18 or ≥ 18 years old), duration between the first treatment and the first recurrence/progression (<2 or ≥ 2 years), and the initial treatment that was administered (STR or GTR). Of the 2932 studies screened, 11 studies reporting a total of 80 patients were included. Across almost all subgroups, patients who received RT for the first recurrence/progression had a significantly lower risk of tumor regrowth than those who did not, regardless of whether surgery was performed and the extent of resection. There was no significant association between the treatment administered for the first recurrence/progression and OS, except for patients with a recurrence/progression < 2 years after the first treatment, where GTR was associated with a higher risk of mortality. For patients with the first recurrence/progression of craniopharyngioma after resection alone, RT should be considered for better local control. In cases where RT is not administered, GTR is preferred over STR provided it can be safely performed, for improved local control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zheng
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Shi Hui Ong
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Balamurugan Vellayappan
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Radiation Oncology, National University Cancer Institute, Singapore
| | - Vincent Diong Weng Nga
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Division of Neurosurgery, National University Hospital, Singapore
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Sleurs C, Fletcher P, Mallucci C, Avula S, Ajithkumar T. Neurocognitive Dysfunction After Treatment for Pediatric Brain Tumors: Subtype-Specific Findings and Proposal for Brain Network-Informed Evaluations. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1873-1886. [PMID: 37615933 PMCID: PMC10661593 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01096-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing number of long-term survivors of pediatric brain tumors requires us to incorporate the most recent knowledge derived from cognitive neuroscience into their oncological treatment. As the lesion itself, as well as each treatment, can cause specific neural damage, the long-term neurocognitive outcomes are highly complex and challenging to assess. The number of neurocognitive studies in this population grows exponentially worldwide, motivating modern neuroscience to provide guidance in follow-up before, during and after treatment. In this review, we provide an overview of structural and functional brain connectomes and their role in the neuropsychological outcomes of specific brain tumor types. Based on this information, we propose a theoretical neuroscientific framework to apply appropriate neuropsychological and imaging follow-up for future clinical care and rehabilitation trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Sleurs
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, 5037 AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
- Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Paul Fletcher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Wellcome Trust MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Conor Mallucci
- Department of Neurosurgery, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Shivaram Avula
- Department of Radiology, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L14 5AB, UK
| | - Thankamma Ajithkumar
- Department of Oncology, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
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Unnikrishnan S, Yip AT, Qian AS, Salans MA, Yu JD, Huynh-Le MP, Reyes A, Stasenko A, McDonald C, Kaner R, Crawford JR, Hattangadi-Gluth JA. Neurocognitive Outcomes in Multiethnic Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients Treated With Proton Versus Photon Radiation. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023; 45:e837-e846. [PMID: 37539987 PMCID: PMC10538429 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We analyzed post-radiation (RT) neurocognitive outcomes in an ethnically diverse pediatric brain tumor population undergoing photon radiotherapy (XRT) and proton radiotherapy (PRT). PROCEDURE Post-RT neurocognitive outcomes from 49 pediatric patients (37% Hispanic/Latino) with primary brain tumors were analyzed. Tests included cognitive outcomes, behavioral outcomes, and overall intelligence. For each outcome, proportion of patients with cognitive impairment (scores <1.5 SD) was calculated. The Fisher exact tests compared proportion of patients with impairment and t tests compared T-scores between XRT (n=32) and PRT (n=17) groups. Linear regression assessed associations between radiation modality and outcomes. RESULTS Median follow-up was 3.2 and 1.8 years in the XRT and PRT groups, respectively. The median RT dose was 54.0 Gy. We found impairment in 16% to 42% of patients across most neurocognitive domains except executive function. There was no difference in scores between XRT and PRT groups. Regression analyses revealed no association of neurocognitive outcomes with radiation modality. Non-Hispanic patients had better Verbal Comprehension Index and General Ability Index scores than Hispanic patients ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Among pediatric patients with brain tumors receiving RT, all cognitive domains were affected except executive function. Radiation modality was not associated with neurocognitive outcomes. Hispanic patients may be more vulnerable to posttreatment cognitive effects that warrant further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumya Unnikrishnan
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
| | - Anthony T Yip
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
| | - Alexander S Qian
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
| | - Mia A Salans
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
| | - Justin D Yu
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
| | | | | | | | - Carrie McDonald
- Departments of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences
- Psychiatry
| | | | - John R Crawford
- Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla
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Iannalfi A, Riva G, Ciccone L, Orlandi E. The role of particle radiotherapy in the treatment of skull base tumors. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1161752. [PMID: 37350949 PMCID: PMC10283010 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1161752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The skull base is an anatomically and functionally critical area surrounded by vital structures such as the brainstem, the spinal cord, blood vessels, and cranial nerves. Due to this complexity, management of skull base tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach involving a team of specialists such as neurosurgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, radiation oncologists, endocrinologists, and medical oncologists. In the case of pediatric patients, cancer management should be performed by a team of pediatric-trained specialists. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery to treat skull base tumors. There are two main types of radiation therapy: photon therapy and particle therapy. Particle radiotherapy uses charged particles (protons or carbon ions) that, due to their peculiar physical properties, permit precise targeting of the tumor with minimal healthy tissue exposure. These characteristics allow for minimizing the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure in terms of neurocognitive impairments, preserving quality of life, and reducing the risk of radio-induced cancer. For these reasons, in children, adolescents, and young adults, proton therapy should be an elective option when available. In radioresistant tumors such as chordomas and sarcomas and previously irradiated recurrent tumors, particle therapy permits the delivery of high biologically effective doses with low, or however acceptable, toxicity. Carbon ion therapy has peculiar and favorable radiobiological characteristics to overcome radioresistance features. In low-grade tumors, proton therapy should be considered in challenging cases due to tumor volume and involvement of critical neural structures. However, particle radiotherapy is still relatively new, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects. Additionally, the availability of particle therapy is limited as it requires specialized equipment and expertise. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the available literature regarding the role of particle radiotherapy in the treatment of skull base tumors.
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Merchant TE, Hoehn ME, Khan RB, Sabin ND, Klimo P, Boop FA, Wu S, Li Y, Burghen EA, Jurbergs N, Sandler ES, Aldana PR, Indelicato DJ, Conklin HM. Proton therapy and limited surgery for paediatric and adolescent patients with craniopharyngioma (RT2CR): a single-arm, phase 2 study. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:523-534. [PMID: 37084748 PMCID: PMC10408380 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00146-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared with photon therapy, proton therapy reduces exposure of normal brain tissue in patients with craniopharyngioma, which might reduce cognitive deficits associated with radiotherapy. Because there are known physical differences between the two methods of radiotherapy, we aimed to estimate progression-free survival and overall survival distributions for paediatric and adolescent patients with craniopharyngioma treated with limited surgery and proton therapy, while monitoring for excessive CNS toxicity. METHODS In this single-arm, phase 2 study, patients with craniopharyngioma at St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis TN, USA) and University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute (Jacksonville, FL, USA) were recruited. Patients were eligible if they were aged 0-21 years at the time of enrolment and had not been treated with previous radiotherapeutic or intracystic therapies. Eligible patients were treated using passively scattered proton beams, 54 Gy (relative biological effect), and a 0·5 cm clinical target volume margin. Surgical treatment was individualised before proton therapy and included no surgery, single procedures with catheter and Ommaya reservoir placement through a burr hole or craniotomy, endoscopic resection, trans-sphenoidal resection, craniotomy, or multiple procedure types. After completing treatment, patients were evaluated clinically and by neuroimaging for tumour progression and evidence of necrosis, vasculopathy, permanent neurological deficits, vision loss, and endocrinopathy. Neurocognitive tests were administered at baseline and once a year for 5 years. Outcomes were compared with a historical cohort treated with surgery and photon therapy. The coprimary endpoints were progression-free survival and overall survival. Progression was defined as an increase in tumour dimensions on successive imaging evaluations more than 2 years after treatment. Survival and safety were also assessed in all patients who received photon therapy and limited surgery. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01419067. FINDINGS Between Aug 22, 2011, and Jan 19, 2016, 94 patients were enrolled and treated with surgery and proton therapy, of whom 49 (52%) were female, 45 (48%) were male, 62 (66%) were White, 16 (17%) were Black, two (2%) were Asian, and 14 (15%) were other races, and median age was 9·39 years (IQR 6·39-13·38) at the time of radiotherapy. As of data cutoff (Feb 2, 2022), median follow-up was 7·52 years (IQR 6·28-8·53) for patients who did not have progression and 7·62 years (IQR 6·48-8·54) for the full cohort of 94 patients. 3-year progression-free survival was 96·8% (95% CI 90·4-99·0; p=0·89), with progression occurring in three of 94 patients. No deaths occurred at 3 years, such that overall survival was 100%. At 5 years, necrosis had occurred in two (2%) of 94 patients, severe vasculopathy in four (4%), and permanent neurological conditions in three (3%); decline in vision from normal to abnormal occurred in four (7%) of 54 patients with normal vision at baseline. The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were headache (six [6%] of 94 patients), seizure (five [5%]), and vascular disorders (six [6%]). No deaths occurred as of data cutoff. INTERPRETATION Proton therapy did not improve survival outcomes in paediatric and adolescent patients with craniopharyngioma compared with a historical cohort, and severe complication rates were similar. However, cognitive outcomes with proton therapy were improved over photon therapy. Children and adolescents treated for craniopharyngioma using limited surgery and post-operative proton therapy have a high rate of tumour control and low rate of severe complications. The outcomes achieved with this treatment represent a new benchmark to which other regimens can be compared. FUNDING American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, American Cancer Society, the US National Cancer Institute, and Research to Prevent Blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Mary Ellen Hoehn
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Raja B Khan
- Department of Pediatric Medicine, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Noah D Sabin
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paul Klimo
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Frederick A Boop
- Department of Surgery, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Shengjie Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Burghen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Niki Jurbergs
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Philipp R Aldana
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel J Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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11
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Mash LE, Kahalley LS, Raghubar KP, Goodrich-Hunsaker NJ, Abildskov TJ, De Leon LA, MacLeod M, Stancel H, Parsons K, Biekman B, Desai NK, Grosshans DR, Paulino AC, Chu ZD, Whitehead WE, Okcu MF, Chintagumpala M, Wilde EA. Cognitive Sparing in Proton versus Photon Radiotherapy for Pediatric Brain Tumor Is Associated with White Matter Integrity: An Exploratory Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15061844. [PMID: 36980730 PMCID: PMC10047305 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy for pediatric brain tumors is associated with reduced white matter structural integrity and neurocognitive decline. Superior cognitive outcomes have been reported following proton radiotherapy (PRT) compared to photon radiotherapy (XRT), presumably due to improved sparing of normal brain tissue. This exploratory study examined the relationship between white matter change and late cognitive effects in pediatric brain tumor survivors treated with XRT versus PRT. Pediatric brain tumor survivors treated with XRT (n = 10) or PRT (n = 12) underwent neuropsychological testing and diffusion weighted imaging >7 years post-radiotherapy. A healthy comparison group (n = 23) was also recruited. Participants completed age-appropriate measures of intellectual functioning, visual-motor integration, and motor coordination. Tractography was conducted using automated fiber quantification (AFQ). Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD) were extracted from 12 tracts of interest. Overall, both white matter integrity (FA) and neuropsychological performance were lower in XRT patients while PRT patients were similar to healthy control participants with respect to both FA and cognitive functioning. These findings support improved long-term outcomes in PRT versus XRT. This exploratory study is the first to directly support for white matter integrity as a mechanism of cognitive sparing in PRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa E Mash
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lisa S Kahalley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Centers, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kimberly P Raghubar
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Tracy J Abildskov
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Luz A De Leon
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marianne MacLeod
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Heather Stancel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kelley Parsons
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Psychology Service, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Brian Biekman
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Nilesh K Desai
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - David R Grosshans
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arnold C Paulino
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zili D Chu
- Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - William E Whitehead
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mehmet Fatih Okcu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Murali Chintagumpala
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elisabeth A Wilde
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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12
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Gaito S, Hwang EJ, France A, Aznar MC, Burnet N, Crellin A, Holtzman AL, Indelicato DJ, Timmerman B, Whitfield GA, Smith E. Outcomes of Patients Treated in the UK Proton Overseas Programme: Central Nervous System Group. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2023; 35:283-291. [PMID: 36804292 DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2023.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS In 2008, the UK National Health Service started the Proton Overseas Programme (POP), to provide access for proton beam therapy (PBT) abroad for selected tumour diagnoses while two national centres were being planned. The clinical outcomes for the patient group treated for central nervous system (CNS), base of skull, spinal and paraspinal malignancies are reported here. MATERIALS AND METHODS Since the start of the POP, an agreement between the National Health Service and UK referring centres ensured outcomes data collection, including overall survival, local tumour control and late toxicity data. Clinical and treatment-related data were extracted from this national patient database. Grade ≥3 late toxicities were reported following Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v 4.0 definition, occurring later than 90 days since the completion of treatment. RESULTS Between 2008 and September 2020, 830 patients were treated within the POP for the above listed malignancies. Overall survival data were available for 815 patients and local control data for 726 patients. Toxicity analysis was carried out on 702 patients, with patients excluded due to short follow-up (<90 days) and/or inadequate toxicity data available. After a median follow-up of 3.34 years (0.06-11.58), the overall survival was 91.2%. The local control rate was 85.9% after a median follow-up of 2.81 years (range 0.04-11.58). The overall grade ≥3 late toxicity incidence was 11.97%, after a median follow-up of 1.72 years (0.04-8.45). The median radiotherapy prescription dose was 54 GyRBE (34.8-79.2). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate the safety of PBT for CNS tumours. Preliminary clinical outcomes following PBT for paediatric/teen and young adult and adult CNS tumours treated within the POP are encouraging, which reflects accurate patient selection and treatment quality. The rate of late effects compares favourably with published cohorts. Clinical outcomes from this patient cohort will be compared with those of UK-treated patients since the start of the national PBT service in 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Gaito
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK; Division of Clinical Cancer Science, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - E J Hwang
- Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK; Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - A France
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - M C Aznar
- Division of Clinical Cancer Science, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - N Burnet
- Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - A Crellin
- Division of Clinical Cancer Science, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; NHS England National Clinical Lead Proton Beam Therapy, UK
| | - A L Holtzman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - D J Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - B Timmerman
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre Essen (WPE), West German Cancer Centre (WTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen, Germany
| | - G A Whitfield
- Division of Clinical Cancer Science, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - E Smith
- Proton Clinical Outcomes Unit, The Christie NHS Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK; Division of Clinical Cancer Science, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Department of Proton Beam Therapy, The Christie Proton Beam Therapy Centre, Manchester, UK
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13
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Abstract
The intrinsic apoptosis pathway is controlled by the BCL-2 family of proteins. Although the pro-survival members of this family can help cancer cells evade apoptosis, they may also produce apoptotic vulnerabilities that can potentially be exploited therapeutically. Apoptotic vulnerabilities can be driven by endogenous factors including altered genetics, signaling, metabolism, structure and lineage or differentiation state as well as imposed factors, the most prominent being exposure to anti-cancer agents. The recent development of BH3 mimetics that inhibit pro-survival BCL-2 family proteins has allowed these apoptotic vulnerabilities to be targeted with demonstrable clinical success. Here, we review the key concepts that are vital for understanding, uncovering, and exploiting apoptotic vulnerabilities in cancer for the potential improvement of patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristopher A. Sarosiek
- Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kris C. Wood
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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14
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Kirkman MA, Hunn BHM, Thomas MSC, Tolmie AK. Influences on cognitive outcomes in adult patients with gliomas: A systematic review. Front Oncol 2022; 12:943600. [PMID: 36033458 PMCID: PMC9407441 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.943600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People with brain tumors, including those previously treated, are commonly affected by a range of neurocognitive impairments involving executive function, memory, attention, and social/emotional functioning. Several factors are postulated to underlie this relationship, but evidence relating to many of these factors is conflicting and does not fully explain the variation in cognitive outcomes seen in the literature and in clinical practice. To address this, we performed a systematic literature review to identify and describe the range of factors that can influence cognitive outcomes in adult patients with gliomas. A literature search was performed of Ovid MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and PsycTESTS from commencement until September 2021. Of 9,998 articles identified through the search strategy, and an additional 39 articles identified through other sources, 142 were included in our review. The results confirmed that multiple factors influence cognitive outcomes in patients with gliomas. The effects of tumor characteristics (including location) and treatments administered are some of the most studied variables but the evidence for these is conflicting, which may be the result of methodological and study population differences. Tumor location and laterality overall appear to influence cognitive outcomes, and detection of such an effect is contingent upon administration of appropriate cognitive tests. Surgery appears to have an overall initial deleterious effect on cognition with a recovery in most cases over several months. A large body of evidence supports the adverse effects of radiotherapy on cognition, but the role of chemotherapy is less clear. To contrast, baseline cognitive status appears to be a consistent factor that influences cognitive outcomes, with worse baseline cognition at diagnosis/pre-treatment correlated with worse long-term outcomes. Similarly, much evidence indicates that anti-epileptic drugs have a negative effect on cognition and genetics also appear to have a role. Evidence regarding the effect of age on cognitive outcomes in glioma patients is conflicting, and there is insufficient evidence for gender and fatigue. Cognitive reserve, brain reserve, socioeconomic status, and several other variables discussed in this review, and their influence on cognition and recovery, have not been well-studied in the context of gliomas and are areas for focus in future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Kirkman
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London (UCL) Institute of Education, UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurosurgery, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Matthew A. Kirkman,
| | - Benjamin H. M. Hunn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurosurgery, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Michael S. C. Thomas
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew K. Tolmie
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, University College London (UCL) Institute of Education, UCL, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Luks TL, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Weyer-Jamora C, Gehring K, Jakary A, Hervey-Jumper SL, Braunstein SE, Bracci PM, Brie MS, Smith EM, Chang SM, Taylor JW. T2 FLAIR Hyperintensity Volume Is Associated With Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Clinically Stable Patients With Lower Grade Gliomas. Front Neurol 2022; 12:769345. [PMID: 35153976 PMCID: PMC8831734 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.769345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Survival outcomes for patients with lower grade gliomas (LrGG) continue to improve. However, damage caused both by tumor growth and by the consequences of treatment often leads to significantly impaired cognitive function and quality of life (QoL). While neuropsychological testing is not routine, serial clinical MRIs are standard of care for patients with LrGG. Thus, having a greater understanding of MRI indicators of cognitive and QoL impairment risk could be beneficial to patients and clinicians. In this work we sought to test the hypothesis that in clinically stable LrGG patients, T2 FLAIR hyperintensity volumes at the time of cognitive assessment are associated with impairments of cognitive function and QoL and could be used to help identify patients for cognitive and QoL assessments and interventions. We performed anatomical MR imaging, cognitive testing and QoL assessments cross-sectionally in 30 clinically stable grade 2 and 3 glioma patients with subjective cognitive concerns who were 6 or more months post-treatment. Larger post-surgical T2 FLAIR volume at testing was significantly associated with lower cognitive performance, while pre-surgical tumor volume was not. Older patients had lower cognitive performance than younger patients, even after accounting for normal age-related declines in performance. Patients with Astrocytoma, IDH mutant LrGGs were more likely to show lower cognitive performance than patients with Oligodendroglioma, IDH mutant 1p19q co-deleted LrGGs. Previous treatment with combined radiation and chemotherapy was associated with poorer self-reported QoL, including self-reported cognitive function. This study demonstrates the importance of appreciating that LrGG patients may experience impairments in cognitive function and QoL over their disease course, including during periods of otherwise sustained clinical stability. Imaging factors can be helpful in identifying vulnerable patients who would benefit from cognitive assessment and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy L. Luks
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Tracy L. Luks
| | - Javier E. Villanueva-Meyer
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Christina Weyer-Jamora
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Karin Gehring
- Department of Neurosurgery, Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Angela Jakary
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Shawn L. Hervey-Jumper
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Steve E. Braunstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Paige M. Bracci
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Melissa S. Brie
- Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Ellen M. Smith
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Susan M. Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jennie W. Taylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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16
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Simultaneous Diagnosis of Craniopharyngioma in 2 Brothers. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2022; 44:e260-e263. [PMID: 33323881 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Craniopharyngioma is a rare suprasellar tumor. Approximately one-third of cases occur in pediatric patients. Depending on the size and extent of the lesion, the main treatment options include complete surgical removal of the tumor or limited surgery followed by radiotherapy. Craniopharyngiomas are not thought to be hereditary. Herein the authors present a case report of 2 brothers, ages 9 and 10, diagnosed with craniopharyngioma within weeks of each other and managed with different approaches. One sibling underwent gross total resection followed by observation while the other underwent biopsy followed by postoperative proton therapy.
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17
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Radiation induced contrast enhancement after proton beam therapy in patients with low grade glioma - How safe are protons? Radiother Oncol 2021; 167:211-218. [PMID: 34973277 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.12.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The optimal treatment strategy for low-grade glioma (LGG) is still a matter of controversy. Considering that the prognosis is typically favorable, the prevention of late sequelae is of particular importance. Proton beam therapy (PRT) has the potential to further reduce the burden of treatment related side effects. We set out to evaluate the clinical outcome of proton irradiation with a particular focus on morphologic features on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS We assessed prospectively 110 patients who received radiotherapy with protons for histologically proven LGG. Clinical and radiological information were analyzed resulting in more than 1200 available MRI examinations with a median follow-up of 39 months. Newly diagnosed contrast-enhancing lesions on MRI were delineated and correlated with parameters of the corresponding treatment plan. A voxel-based dose-matched paired analysis of the linear energy transfer (LET) inside vs outside lesions was performed. RESULTS Proton beam irradiation of patients with low-grade glioma results in overall survival (OS) of 90% after seven years. Median progression free survival had not yet been reached with surviving fraction of 54% after seven years. The incidence of temporary or clinically silent radiation induced contrast enhancement was significantly higher than previously assumed, however, symptomatic radiation necrosis was only detected in one patient. These radiation-induced contrast-enhancing lesions were almost exclusively seen at the distal beam end of the proton beam. In 22 out of 23 patients, the average LET of voxels inside contrast-enhancing lesions was significantly increased, compared to dose-matched voxels outside the lesions. CONCLUSION Symptomatic radiation necrosis following PRT was as rare as conventional photon-based treatment series suggest. However, the increased incidence of asymptomatic radiation-induced brain injuries with an increased average LET observed in this cohort provides strong clinical evidence to support the hypothesis that the relative biological effectiveness of protons is variable and different to the fixed factor of 1.1 currently used worldwide.
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18
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Shen CJ, Terezakis SA. The Evolving Role of Radiotherapy for Pediatric Cancers With Advancements in Molecular Tumor Characterization and Targeted Therapies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:679701. [PMID: 34604027 PMCID: PMC8481883 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.679701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing rapid advances in molecular diagnostics, precision imaging, and development of targeted therapies have resulted in a constantly evolving landscape for treatment of pediatric cancers. Radiotherapy remains a critical element of the therapeutic toolbox, and its role in the era of precision medicine continues to adapt and undergo re-evaluation. Here, we review emerging strategies for combining radiotherapy with novel targeted systemic therapies (for example, for pediatric gliomas or soft tissue sarcomas), modifying use or intensity of radiotherapy when appropriate via molecular diagnostics that allow better characterization and individualization of each patient’s treatments (for example, de-intensification of radiotherapy in WNT subgroup medulloblastoma), as well as exploring more effective targeted systemic therapies that may allow omission or delay of radiotherapy. Many of these strategies are still under investigation but highlight the importance of continued pre-clinical and clinical studies evaluating the role of radiotherapy in this era of precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette J Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stephanie A Terezakis
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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19
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Wang X, Hobbs B, Gandhi SJ, Muijs CT, Langendijk JA, Lin SH. Current status and application of proton therapy for esophageal cancer. Radiother Oncol 2021; 164:27-36. [PMID: 34534613 DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer remains one of the leading causes of death from cancer across the world despite advances in multimodality therapy. Although early-stage disease can often be treated surgically, the current state of the art for locally advanced disease is concurrent chemoradiation, followed by surgery whenever possible. The uniform midline tumor location puts a strong importance on the need for precise delivery of radiation that would minimize dose to the heart and lungs, and the biophysical properties of proton beam makes this modality potential ideal for esophageal cancer treatment. This review covers the current state of knowledge of proton therapy for esophageal cancer, focusing on published retrospective single- and multi-institutional clinical studies, and emerging data from prospective clinical trials, that support the benefit of protons vs photon-based radiation in reducing postoperative complications, cardiac toxicity, and severe radiation induced immune suppression, which may improve survival outcomes for patients. In addition, we discuss the incorporation of immunotherapy to the curative management of esophageal cancers in the not-too-distant future. However, there is still a lack of high-level evidence to support proton therapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer, and proton therapy has its limitations in clinical application. It is expected to see the results of future large-scale randomized clinical trials and the continuous improvement of proton radiotherapy technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, China
| | - Brian Hobbs
- Department of Population Health, University of Texas, Austin, USA
| | - Saumil J Gandhi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA
| | - Christina T Muijs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes A Langendijk
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Steven H Lin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
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Postsurgical geometrical variations of tumor bed and brainstem during photon and proton therapy for pediatric tumors of the posterior fossa: dosimetric impact and predictive factors. Strahlenther Onkol 2021; 197:1113-1123. [PMID: 34351450 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-021-01828-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brainstem radionecrosis is an important issue during the irradiation of tumors of the posterior fossa. The aim of the present study is to analyze postsurgical geometrical variations of tumor bed (TB) and brainstem (BS) and their impact on dosimetry. METHODS Retrospective collection of data from pediatric patients treated at a single institution. Availability of presurgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was verified; availability of at least two postsurgical MRIs was considered a further inclusion criterion. The following metrics were analyzed: total volume, Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and Haudsdorff distances (HD). RESULTS Fourteen patients were available for the quantification of major postsurgical geometrical variations of TB. DSC, HD max, and HD average values were 0.47 (range: 0.08;0.76), 11.3 mm (7.7;24.5), and 2.6 mm (0.7;6.7) between the first and the second postoperative MRI, respectively. Postsurgical geometrical variations of the BS were also observed. Coverage to the TB was reduced in one patient (D95: -2.9 Gy), while D2 to the BS was increased for the majority of patients. Overall, predictive factors for significant geometrical changes were presurgical gross tumor volume (GTV) > 33 mL, hydrocephaly at diagnosis, Luschka foramen involvement, and younger age (≤ 8 years). CONCLUSION Major volume changes were observed in this cohort, with some dosimetric impact. The use of a recent co-registration MRI is advised. The 2-3 mm HD average observed should be considered in the planning target volume/planning organ at risk volume (PTV/PRV) margin and/or robust optimization planning. Results from wider efforts are needed to verify our findings.
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21
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Liu M, Yang Y, Zhao B, Yang Y, Wang J, Shen K, Yang X, Hu D, Zheng G, Han J. Exosomes Derived From Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Radiation-Induced Brain Injury by Activating the SIRT1 Pathway. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:693782. [PMID: 34395427 PMCID: PMC8358610 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.693782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Studies have shown that the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are mediated in a paracrine manner, mainly through extracellular vesicles such as exosomes. Here, we designed a study to investigate whether exosomes derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC-Exos) had protective effects in a rat model of radiation-induced brain injury and in microglia. Methods Male adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control group, the radiation group (30 Gy), and the radiation + exosomes group (30 Gy + 100 ug exosomes). Meanwhile, microglia were divided into four groups: the control group, the radiation group (10 Gy), the radiation + exosomes group (10 Gy + 4 ug exosomes), and radiation + exosomes + EX527 group (10 Gy + 4 ug exosomes + 100 nM EX527). Tissue samples and the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in each group were compared. Results Statistical analysis showed that after irradiation, ADMSC-Exos intervention in vivo significantly reduced the levels of caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and promoted the recovery of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), IL-4, and IL-10. Moreover, ADMSC-Exos intervention inhibited microglial infiltration and promoted the expression of SIRT1. Furthermore, the results in vitro showed that the above effects of ADMSC-Exos could be reversed by SIRT-1 inhibitor EX527. Conclusion This study demonstrated that ADMSC-Exos exerted protective effects against radiation-induced brain injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and microglial infiltration via activating the SIRT1 pathway. ADMSC-Exos may serve as a promising therapeutic tool for radiation-induced brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdong Liu
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yunshu Yang
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuefan Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kuo Shen
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xuekang Yang
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dahai Hu
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guoxu Zheng
- State key laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Immunology, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Juntao Han
- Department of Burns and Cutaneous Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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22
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Weusthof K, Lüttich P, Regnery S, König L, Bernhardt D, Witt O, Herfarth K, Unterberg A, Jungk C, Farnia B, Combs SE, Debus J, Rieken S, Harrabi S, Adeberg S. Neurocognitive Outcomes in Pediatric Patients Following Brain Irradiation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13143538. [PMID: 34298751 PMCID: PMC8307409 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13143538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Advanced radiation techniques can reduce the severity of neurocognitive sequelae in young brain tumor patients. In the present analysis, we sought to compare neurocognitive outcomes after proton irradiation with patients who underwent photon radiotherapy (RT) and surgery. Neurocognitive outcomes were evaluated in 103 pediatric brain tumor patients (proton RT n = 26, photon RT n = 30, surgery n = 47) before and after treatment. Comparison of neurocognitive outcomes following different treatment modalities were analyzed over four years after treatment completion. Longitudinal analyses included 42 months of follow-up after proton RT and 55 months after photon RT and surgery. Neurocognitive assessment included standardized tests examining seven domains. A comparison of neurocognitive outcomes after RT (proton and photon with >90% additional surgery) and surgery showed no significant differences in any neurocognitive domain. Neurocognitive functioning tests after proton RT failed to identify alterations compared to baseline testing. Long-term follow up over four years after photon RT showed a decrease in non-verbal intelligence (-9.6%; p = 0.01) and visuospatial construction (-14.9%; p = 0.02). After surgery, there was a decline in non-verbal intelligence (-10.7%; p = 0.01) and processing speed (14.9%; p = 0.002). Differences in neurocognitive outcomes between RT and surgical cohorts in direct intermodal comparison at long-term follow-up were not identified in our study, suggesting that modern radiation therapy does not affect cognition as much as in the past. There were no alterations in long-term neurocognitive abilities after proton RT, whereas decline of processing speed, non-verbal intelligence, and visuospatial abilities were observed after both photon RT and surgery. Domains dependent on intact white matter structures appear particularly vulnerable to brain tumor treatment irrespective of treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Weusthof
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peggy Lüttich
- Section of Pediatric Brain Tumors, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Medical Center for Children and Adolescents, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.L.); (O.W.)
| | - Sebastian Regnery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Laila König
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Denise Bernhardt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany; (D.B.); (S.E.C.)
- Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Institut für Innovative Radiotherapie (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Witt
- Section of Pediatric Brain Tumors, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology, University Medical Center for Children and Adolescents, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (P.L.); (O.W.)
- Translational Program, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center at NCT Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Herfarth
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Unterberg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (A.U.); (C.J.)
| | - Christine Jungk
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (A.U.); (C.J.)
| | - Benjamin Farnia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA;
| | - Stephanie E. Combs
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany; (D.B.); (S.E.C.)
- Department of Radiation Sciences (DRS), Institut für Innovative Radiotherapie (iRT), Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rieken
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Goettingen, 37075 Goettingen, Germany;
| | - Semi Harrabi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Adeberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.W.); (S.R.); (L.K.); (K.H.); (J.D.); (S.H.)
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Heidelberg, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-6221-56-8201
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Dell'Oro M, Short M, Wilson P, Bezak E. Normal tissue tolerance amongst paediatric brain tumour patients- current evidence in proton radiotherapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 164:103415. [PMID: 34242771 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103415] [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: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton radiotherapy (PT) is used increasingly for paediatric brain cancer patients. However, as demonstrated here, the knowledge on normal tissue dose constraints, to minimize side-effects, for this cohort is limited. METHODS A search strategy was systematically conducted on MEDLINE® database. 65 papers were evaluated ranging from 2013 to 2021. RESULTS Large variations in normal tissue tolerance and toxicity reporting across PT studies makes estimation of normal tissue dose constraints difficult, with the potential for significant late effects to go unmeasured. Mean dose delivered to the pituitary gland varies from 20 to 30 Gy across literature. Similarly, the hypothalamic dose delivery ranges from 20 to 54.6 Gy for paediatric patients. CONCLUSION There is a significant lack of radiobiological data for paediatric brain cancer patients undergoing proton therapy, often using data from x-ray radiotherapy and adult populations. The way forward is through standardisation of reporting in order to validate relevant dose constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaela Dell'Oro
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
| | - Michala Short
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Puthenparampil Wilson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; UniSA STEM, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Eva Bezak
- Cancer Research Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Department of Physics, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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24
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Indelicato DJ, Ioakeim-Ioannidou M, Bradley JA, Mailhot-Vega RB, Morris CG, Tarbell NJ, Yock T, MacDonald SM. Proton Therapy for Pediatric Ependymoma: Mature Results From a Bicentric Study. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 110:815-820. [PMID: 33508372 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2021.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the long-term efficacy and toxicity of proton therapy for pediatric ependymoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS Between 2000 and 2019, 386 children with nonmetastatic grade 2/3 intracranial ependymoma received proton therapy at 1 of 2 academic institutions. Median age at treatment was 3.8 years (range, 0.7-21.3); 56% were male. Most (72%) tumors were in the posterior fossa and classified as World Health Organization grade 3 (65%). Eighty-five percent had a gross total or near total tumor resection before radiation therapy; 30% received chemotherapy. Median radiation dose was 55.8 Gy relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) (range, 50.4-59.4). RESULTS Median follow-up was 5.0 years (range, 0.4-16.7). The 7-year local control, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 77.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.9%-81.5%), 63.8% (95% CI, 58.0%-68.8%), and 82.2% (95% CI, 77.2%-86.3%), respectively. Subtotal resection was associated with inferior local control (59% vs 80%; P < .005), progression-free survival (48% vs 66%; P < .001), and overall survival (70% vs 84%; P < .05). Male sex was associated with inferior progression-free (60% vs 69%; P < .05) and overall survival (76% vs 89%; P < .05). Posterior fossa tumor site was also associated with inferior progression-free (59% vs 74%; P < .05) and overall survival (79% vs 89%; P < .01). Twenty-one patients (5.4%) required hearing aids; of these, 13 received cisplatin, including the 3 with bilateral hearing loss. Forty-five patients (11.7%) required hormone replacement, typically growth hormone (38/45). The cumulative incidence of grade 2+ brain stem toxicity was 4% and occurred more often in patients who received >54 GyRBE. Two patients (0.5%) died of brain stem necrosis. The second-malignancy rate was 0.8%. CONCLUSION Proton therapy offers disease control commensurate with modern photon therapy without unexpected toxicity. The high rate of long-term survival justifies efforts to reduce radiation exposure in this young population. Independent of radiation modality, this large series confirms extent of resection as the most important modifiable factor for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida.
| | | | - Julie A Bradley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Raymond B Mailhot-Vega
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Christopher G Morris
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Torunn Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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25
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Aridgides P, Janssens GO, Braunstein S, Campbell S, Poppe M, Murphy E, MacDonald S, Ladra M, Alapetite C, Haas-Kogan D. Gliomas, germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngioma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68 Suppl 2:e28401. [PMID: 32960496 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2000] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This report summarizes the current multimodality treatment approaches for children with low- and high-grade gliomas, germinoma, and nongerminomatous germ cell tumors, and craniopharyngiomas used in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) and the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP). Treatment recommendations are provided in the context of historical approaches regarding the roles of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Future research strategies for these tumors in both COG and SIOP are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Aridgides
- Department of Radiation Oncology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210
| | - Geert O Janssens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht and Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, GA, 3508, The Netherlands
| | - Steve Braunstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Ron Conway Family Gateway Medical Building, 1825 Fourth St. 1st floor M1215, San Francisco, CA, 94115
| | - Shauna Campbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue / CA-50, Cleveland, OH, 44195
| | - Matthew Poppe
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, University of Utah, 1950 Circle of Hope, Radiation Oncology, 1570, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112
| | - Erin Murphy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic, Mail Code CA5, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44195
| | - Shannon MacDonald
- Francis H Burr Proton Therapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114
| | - Matthew Ladra
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 401 N. Broadway, Weinberg Suite 1440, Baltimore, MD, 21231
| | | | - Daphne Haas-Kogan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, D1622, 450 Brookline Ave, Brookline, MA, 02215
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26
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Shen CJ, Perkins SM, Bradley JA, Mahajan A, Marcus KJ. Radiation therapy for infants with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2021; 68 Suppl 2:e28700. [PMID: 33818894 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The clinical outcomes for infants with malignant tumors are often worse than older children due to a combination of more biologically aggressive disease in some cases, and increased toxicity-or deintensification of therapies due to concern for toxicity-in others. Especially in infants and very young children, finding the appropriate balance between maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing toxicity-in particular late side effects-is crucial. We review here the management of malignant tumors in infants and very young children, focusing on central nervous system (CNS) malignancies and rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette J Shen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephanie M Perkins
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Julie A Bradley
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Anita Mahajan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Karen J Marcus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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27
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Eaton BR, Goldberg S, Tarbell NJ, Lawell MP, Gallotto SL, Weyman EA, Kuhlthau KA, Ebb DH, MacDonald SM, Yock TI. Long-term health-related quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors receiving proton radiotherapy at <4 years of age. Neuro Oncol 2021; 22:1379-1387. [PMID: 32064512 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this analysis is to report long-term health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among brain tumor survivors treated with proton therapy (PRT) at a very young age. METHODS Fifty-nine children <4 years old received PRT between 2000 and 2011. Forty families participated. HRQoL was assessed by child self-report (CSR; age ≥5) and parent proxy report (PPR; age 2+) using the PedsQL Core. RESULTS The median age was 2.5 years (range, 0.3-3.8) at PRT and 9.1 years (5.5-18) at last follow-up. The most common diagnoses were ependymoma (n = 22) and medulloblastoma (n = 7). Median follow-up is 6.7 years (3-15.4). Follow-up mean CSR and PPR scores were: total core (78.4 and 72.9), physical (82.9 and 75.2), psychosocial (76.0 and 71.6), emotional (74.4 and 70.7), social (81.2 and 75.1), and school (72.4 and 69.9). Parent-reported HRQoL fell within a previously defined range for healthy children in 37.5% of patients, and for children with severe health conditions in 45% of patients. PPR HRQoL was stable from baseline to last follow-up among all domains except for social functioning. History of gastrostomy tube was significantly associated with poorer CSR and PPR HRQoL on multivariable analysis. Ninety percent of children functioned in a regular classroom, 14 (36%) used a classroom aid, 9 (23%) used an outside tutor, and 18 (46%) had an individualized education plan. CONCLUSION Long-term HRQoL among brain tumor survivors treated with PRT at a very young age is variable, with over a third achieving HRQoL levels commensurate with healthy children. KEY POINTS 1. One third of survivors reported long-term HRQoL scores comparable to those of healthy children.2. Treatment for hydrocephalus or a feeding tube was associated with significantly lower HRQoL.3. Total core HRQoL scores remained stable from baseline to last follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bree R Eaton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Saveli Goldberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy J Tarbell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Miranda P Lawell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sara L Gallotto
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth A Weyman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen A Kuhlthau
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David H Ebb
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shannon M MacDonald
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Weyer-Jamora C, Brie MS, Luks TL, Smith EM, Braunstein SE, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Bracci PM, Chang S, Hervey-Jumper SL, Taylor JW. Cognitive impact of lower-grade gliomas and strategies for rehabilitation. Neurooncol Pract 2021; 8:117-128. [PMID: 33898046 PMCID: PMC8049427 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npaa072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Outcomes for patients with lower-grade gliomas (LrGGs) continue to improve with advances in molecular characterization and treatment. However, cognitive sequela from the tumor and its treatment leave a significant impact on health-related quality of life for these patients. Several factors affect each patient's cognition, such as tumor location, treatment, medication, and comorbidities. However, impairments of processing speed, attention, concentration, working memory, and executive function are common across LrGG patients. Cognitive rehabilitation strategies, well established in traumatic brain injury and stroke populations, are based on neural plasticity and functional reorganization. Adapting these strategies for implementation in patients with brain tumors is an active area of research. This article provides an overview of cognitive domains commonly impaired in LrGG patients and evidence for the use of cognitive rehabilitation strategies to address these impairments with the goal of improving health-related quality of life in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Weyer-Jamora
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, California
| | - Melissa S Brie
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, California
| | - Tracy L Luks
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco
| | - Ellen M Smith
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
| | - Steve E Braunstein
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco
| | | | - Paige M Bracci
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco
| | - Susan Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
| | | | - Jennie W Taylor
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco
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Hanania AN, Paulino AC, Ludmir EB, Shah VS, Su JM, McGovern SL, Baxter PA, McAleer MF, Grosshans DR, Okcu MF, Chintagumpala MM. Early radiotherapy preserves vision in sporadic optic pathway glioma. Cancer 2021; 127:2358-2367. [PMID: 33739455 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporadic optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas represent a unique entity within pediatric low-grade glioma. Despite favorable survival, location makes treatment difficult and local progression debilitating. This study is a longitudinal assessment of visual acuity (VA) among children treated within the last 2 decades. METHODS Clinical characteristics were abstracted for patients treated from 2000 to 2018 at Texas Children's Cancer Center in Houston. Ophthalmologic data taken at 3- to 6-month intervals were examined with age-appropriate VA metrics converted to the LogMAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) scale. Kaplan-Meier blindness-free survival (BFS) curves, calculated as time-to-bilateral functional blindness (LogMAR ≥0.8 in both eyes), were calculated for patients receiving early radiation therapy (RT; upfront or as first-line salvage treatment) or chemotherapy (CT) and evaluated using the log-rank test. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients with a median follow-up of 8.5 years (range, 2-17 years) were identified. Median age at diagnosis was 3 years (interquartile range, <1-6 years). Early RT was administered in 11 patients (29%). Twenty-seven patients (71%) were treated primarily with CT, initiated at a median age of 3.5 years (range, <1-11 years). Eight patients in the CT group did eventually require RT secondary to VA loss and following multiple lines of CT. Median age at RT for all patients was 11 years (range, 3-17 years). BFS rates were 81% at 5 years and 60% at 8 years for CT and 100% at 5 and 8 years for early RT (P = .017). CONCLUSIONS In a contemporary cohort, early RT, defined as initial or first-line salvage therapy, was found to have superior BFS for appropriately selected patients with sporadic optic pathway/hypothalamic gliomas. LAY SUMMARY Children with low-grade brain tumors of the optic pathway generally have excellent long-term survival; however, given the location of these tumors, there can commonly be threatened vision if the tumor grows. Although radiation is generally deferred in children on the basis of legitimate concerns regarding the effects on the developing brain, it may represent a vision-preserving therapy for well-selected older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander N Hanania
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Arnold C Paulino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Ethan B Ludmir
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Veeral S Shah
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jack M Su
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Susan L McGovern
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Patricia A Baxter
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Mary Frances McAleer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - David R Grosshans
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - M Fatih Okcu
- Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Partanen M, Anghelescu DL, Hall L, Schreiber JE, Rossi M, Gajjar A, Jacola LM. Longitudinal associations between exposure to anesthesia and neurocognitive functioning in pediatric medulloblastoma. Eur J Cancer 2021; 148:103-111. [PMID: 33743477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM To examine whether anesthesia exposure is associated with neurocognitive decline in pediatric medulloblastoma. METHODS Patients were treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and completed ≥2 protocol-directed neurocognitive assessments (n = 107) as part of a multisite clinical trial for pediatric medulloblastoma (NCT00085202). Patients received risk-adapted craniospinal photon irradiation, followed by four cycles of high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell rescue. Neurocognitive testing was completed at study baseline (after surgery and <2 weeks of starting radiation therapy) and annually for 5 years. Data on anesthesia exposure during treatment was abstracted from medical records. RESULTS Patients were 10.2 years at diagnosis on average (SD = 4.5; 37% female, 73% average-risk). Mean cumulative anesthesia duration was 20.4 h (SD = 15.2; range 0.7-55.6 h). In the overall group, longer anesthesia duration was associated with greater declines in IQ (Estimate = -0.08, P < 0.001), attention (Estimate = -0.10, P < .001) and processing speed (Estimate = -0.13, P < 0.001). Similar results were shown in subgroups of patients who were <7 years at diagnosis (IQ = -0.14, P = 0.027; Attention = -0.25: P = 0.011), ≥7 years at diagnosis (Attention = -0.07, P = 0.039; Processing Speed = -0.08, P = 0.022), treated for high-risk disease (IQ = -0.09, P = 0.024; Attention = -0.11, P = 0.034; Processing Speed = -0.13, P = 0.001), or treated for average-risk disease (IQ = -0.05, P = .022; Attention = -0.08, P = 0.011; Processing Speed = -0.10, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Greater anesthesia exposure is a risk factor for clinically significant neurocognitive decline, in addition to factors of age at diagnosis and treatment risk arm. This result is notable as there are evidence-based strategies that can limit the need for anesthesia. Limiting anesthesia exposure, as feasible, may mitigate neurocognitive late effects, and thus, improve quality of life for survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Partanen
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | - L Hall
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - J E Schreiber
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - M Rossi
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - A Gajjar
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - L M Jacola
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA.
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31
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Laliberté Durish C, Moxon-Emre I, Bouffet E, Bartels U, Mabbott DJ. [Formula: see text]Family environment as a predictor and moderator of cognitive and psychosocial outcomes in children treated for posterior fossa tumors. Child Neuropsychol 2021; 27:641-660. [PMID: 33596780 DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2021.1885639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective. The current study examined the effects of clinical factors (i.e., treatment type, history of cerebellar mutism) as well as environmental factors (i.e., family environment) as predictors of cognitive and psychosocial outcomes in children treated for posterior fossa tumors.Method. Twenty-seven children/adolescents treated for posterior fossa tumors (treatment type: radiation [n = 12], surgery [n = 15]; history of mutism: yes [n = 7], no [n = 20]) and n = 13 healthy controls, aged 8-17 years, and their caregivers completed measures assessing cognitive and psychosocial functioning, as well as the family environment (i.e., parental education, family functioning, family psychiatric history). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the role of clinical factors and the family environment as predictors of cognitive and psychosocial outcomes. Family environment was also examined as a moderator of clinical factor group differences in outcomes.Results. Regression analyses revealed lower intelligence scores among the radiation group compared to the control group, lower verbal memory scores among both treatment groups compared to the control group, and a significant positive effect of parental education on verbal memory scores. Further, history of cerebellar mutism predicted poorer performance on a speeded naming task, and this relationship was moderated by family functioning, with a greater effect of mutism present among those with poorer family functioning.Conclusions. Interventions aimed at improving the family environment may help to mitigate negative cognitive effects of pediatric brain tumors, particularly among those most at-risk for poor outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iska Moxon-Emre
- The Margaret and Wallace McCain Centre for Child, Youth & Family Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Bouffet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/OncologyDivision of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ute Bartels
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Haematology/OncologyDivision of Haematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Donald J Mabbott
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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32
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Bhattacharya D, Chhabda S, Lakshmanan R, Tan R, Warne R, Benenati M, Michalski A, Aquilina K, Jacques T, Hargrave D, Chang YC, Gains J, Mankad K. Spectrum of neuroimaging findings post-proton beam therapy in a large pediatric cohort. Childs Nerv Syst 2021; 37:435-446. [PMID: 32705327 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04819-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Proton beam therapy (PBT) is now well established for the treatment of certain pediatric brain tumors. The intrinsic properties of PBT are known to reduce long-term negative effects of photon radiotherapy (PRT). To better understand the intracranial effects of PBT, we analyzed the longitudinal imaging changes in a cohort of children with brain tumors treated by PBT with clinical and radiotherapy dose correlations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective imaging review of 46 patients from our hospital with brain tumors treated by PBT. The imaging findings were correlated with clinical and dose parameters. RESULTS Imaging changes were assessed by reviewing serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans following PBT over a follow-up period ranging from 1 month to 7 years. Imaging changes were observed in 23 patients undergoing PBT and categorized as pseudoprogression (10 patients, 43%), white matter changes (6 patients, 23%), parenchymal atrophy (6 patients, 23%), and cerebral large vessel arteriopathy (5 patients, 25%). Three patients had more than one type of imaging change. Clinical symptoms attributable to PBT were observed in 13 (28%) patients. CONCLUSION In accordance with published literature, we found evidence of varied intracranial imaging changes in pediatric brain tumor patients treated with PBT. There was a higher incidence (10%) of large vessel cerebral arteriopathy in our cohort than previously described in the literature. Twenty-eight percent of patients had clinical sequelae as a result of these changes, particularly in the large vessel arteriopathy subgroup, arguing the need for angiographic and perfusion surveillance to pre-empt any morbidities and offer potential neuro-protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ronald Tan
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Jacques
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | | | | | - Jenny Gains
- University College London Hospital, London, UK
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33
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Uh J, Merchant TE, Conklin HM, Ismael Y, Li Y, Han Y, Sabin ND, Babajani-Feremi A, Indelicato DJ, Hua CH. Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Based Analysis of Baseline Neurocognitive Function and Posttreatment White Matter Changes in Pediatric Patients With Craniopharyngioma Treated With Surgery and Proton Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021; 109:515-526. [PMID: 32898610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the preirradiation baseline association of white matter integrity with neurocognitive function and to assess posttreatment changes in pediatric patients with craniopharyngioma treated with proton therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS Ninety children and adolescents (2-20 years old) with craniopharyngioma were treated with proton therapy (54 Gy[RBE]) in a prospective therapeutic trial. Neurocognitive performance at the postoperative baseline before proton therapy and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data acquired at baseline and at annual follow-up were analyzed. Tract-based spatial statistics and structural connectomics were used to derive global and local white matter features from DTI. Baseline DTI features were compared for patients with average and below-average neurocognitive performance. Longitudinal DTI data were analyzed to determine the proton dose effect on white matter structures in relation to the irradiated brain volume and baseline age. RESULTS Before proton therapy, patients with below-average working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, verbal learning, or fine motor dexterity exhibited more globally degraded white matter structures compared with their counterparts with average performance, as indicated by lower mean fractional anisotropy, decreased global efficiency, or higher modularity. Surgery, obstructive hydrocephalus, and preoperative hypothalamic involvement appeared to be related to this degradation. In local analyses, tract-based spatial statistics revealed left-lateralized associations with verbal and motor functions, which supported surgical approaches to midline tumors via the right hemisphere. The mean fractional anisotropy of the brain and the global efficiency derived from DTI increased over the 5 years after proton therapy. The rate of increase was lower with larger irradiated brain volumes and in older children. CONCLUSIONS Below-average baseline neurocognitive performance in patients with craniopharyngioma before proton therapy appeared to be related to structural degradation of white matter tracts. Posttherapy longitudinal DTI showed improving trends in global integrity and efficiency measures, particularly in children in whom a smaller brain volume was irradiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Uh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Thomas E Merchant
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Heather M Conklin
- Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yousef Ismael
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yimei Li
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yuanyuan Han
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Noah D Sabin
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Abbas Babajani-Feremi
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Daniel J Indelicato
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Chia-Ho Hua
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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34
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Predictors of cognitive function in pediatric brain tumor patients: Pre-surgery through 24-month follow-up. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY. CHILD 2021; 10:340-347. [PMID: 31887256 PMCID: PMC7326643 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2019.1706179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of cognitive assessment from pre-surgery through 2-year follow-up in a sample of pediatric brain tumor (BT) patients. We sought to investigate cognitive function over the course of diagnosis and treatment, and as a function of presenting problems, tumor location, treatment type, and tumor severity. Using a prospective, longitudinal design, standardized IQ measures were administered to pediatric BT patients (ages 6-16) prior to surgery (n = 25), 6 months post-diagnosis (n = 24), and 24 months post-diagnosis (n = 23). Group differences emerged based on tumor severity and treatment type at multiple time points, including prior to surgical intervention; children with high grade tumors performed more poorly than children with low grade tumors, and children receiving surgery plus adjuvant therapy performed more poorly than children who received surgery only. When considered together, an analysis of covariance demonstrated that tumor grade significantly accounted for variability in cognitive functioning, while treatment type did not. Although there is overlap clinically between tumor severity and treatment received, results suggest that tumor severity is an important factor contributing to variability in cognitive functioning and should also be considered when monitoring risk for cognitive deficits in children diagnosed with BT.
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35
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Litvinchuk AV, Zorina ES, Kopylov AT, Popova VO, Legina OK, Ronzhina NL, Verlov NA, Karlin JL, Lysenko VV, Ezhov VF, Naryzhny SN. Research of the Effect of Proton Radiation on the Brain Proteome of Mouse. BIOL BULL+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359020120055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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36
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Psychological Outcomes, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Neurocognitive Functioning in Survivors of Childhood Cancer and Their Parents. Pediatr Clin North Am 2020; 67:1103-1134. [PMID: 33131537 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Childhood cancer disrupts the lives of patients and their families and affects acute and long-term psychological health. This article summarizes (1) psychological challenges, including depression, anxiety, worries, and posttraumatic stress, as well as positive outcomes such as benefit finding and posttraumatic growth in young survivors and parents; (2) health-related quality of life; (3) interventions to support survivors and parents with psychological difficulties; and (4) neurocognitive problems and interventions to help alleviate them. Although many survivors and parents fare well in the long term, many survivors may benefit from interventions. Interventions should be further evaluated and integrated into routine clinical care.
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37
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Yahya N, Manan HA. Neurocognitive impairment following proton therapy for paediatric brain tumour: a systematic review of post-therapy assessments. Support Care Cancer 2020; 29:3035-3047. [PMID: 33040284 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05808-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton therapy (PT), frequently utilised to treat paediatric brain tumour (PBT) patients, eliminates exit dose and minimises dose to healthy tissues that theoretically can mitigate treatment-related effects including cognitive deficits. As clinical outcome data are emerging, we aimed to systematically review current evidence of cognitive changes following PT of PBT. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed and Scopus electronic databases to identify eligible reports on cognitive changes following PT of PBT according to PRISMA guidelines. Reports were extracted for information on demographics and cognitive outcomes. Then, they were systematically reviewed based on three themes: (1) comparison with photon therapy, (2) comparison with baseline cognitive measures, to population normative mean or radiotherapy-naïve PBT patients and (3) effects of dose distribution to cognition. RESULTS Thirteen reports (median size (range): 70 (12-144)) were included. Four reports compared the cognitive outcome between PBT patients treated with proton to photon therapy and nine compared with baseline/normative mean/radiotherapy naïve from which two reported the effects of dose distribution. Reports found significantly poorer cognitive outcome among patients treated with photon therapy compared with proton therapy especially in general cognition and working memory. Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) was consistently associated with poorer cognitive outcome while focal therapy was associated with minor cognitive change/difference. In limited reports available, higher doses to the hippocampus and temporal lobes were implicated to larger cognitive change. CONCLUSION Available evidence suggests that PT causes less cognitive deficits compared with photon therapy. Children who underwent focal therapy with proton were consistently shown to have low risk of cognitive deficit suggesting the need for future studies to separate them from CSI. Evidence on the effect of dose distribution to cognition in PT is yet to mature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorazrul Yahya
- Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, CODTIS, Faculty of Health Sciences, National University of Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Aziz, 50300, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Hanani Abdul Manan
- Functional Image Processing Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, 56000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Newton J, Brown T, Corley C, Alexander T, Trujillo M, McElroy T, Ntagwabira F, Wang J, Byrum SD, Allen AR. Cranial irradiation impairs juvenile social memory and modulates hippocampal physiology. Brain Res 2020; 1748:147095. [PMID: 32896524 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Cranial and craniospinal irradiation are the oldest central nervous system prophylaxis treatments considered for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, survivors of childhood ALL that received cranial radiotherapy are at increased risk for deficits in neurocognitive skills. The continuous and dynamic response of normal tissue after irradiation has been identified as one of the causative factors for cognitive changes after cranial radiation therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate the radiation effects on social behavior and neuronal morphology in the hippocampus of adult mice. Twenty-oneday-old male C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with the small-animal radiation research platform (SARRP). Animals were given a single 10-Gy dose of radiation of X-ray cranial radiation. One month following irradiation, animals underwent behavioral testing in the Three-Chamber Sociability paradigm. Radiation affected social discrimination during the third stage eliciting an inability to discriminate between the familiar and stranger mouse, while sham successfully spent more time exploring the novel stranger. Proteomic analysis revealed dysregulation of metabolic and signaling pathways associated with neurocognitive dysfunction such as mitochondrial dysfunction, Rac 1 signaling, and synaptogenesis signaling. We observed significant decreases in mushroom spine density in the Cornu Ammonis 2 of the hippocampus, which is associated with sociability processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Newton
- California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA 95382, United States
| | - Taurean Brown
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Christa Corley
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Tyler Alexander
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Madison Trujillo
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Taylor McElroy
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Fabio Ntagwabira
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Jing Wang
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States
| | - Stephanie D Byrum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States
| | - Antiño R Allen
- Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States; Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States.
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Gross JP, Powell S, Zelko F, Hartsell W, Goldman S, Fangusaro J, Lulla RR, Smiley NP, Chang JHC, Gondi V. Improved neuropsychological outcomes following proton therapy relative to X-ray therapy for pediatric brain tumor patients. Neuro Oncol 2020; 21:934-943. [PMID: 30997512 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survivors of pediatric brain tumors are at risk for impaired development in multiple neuropsychological domains. The purpose of this study was to compare neuropsychological outcomes of pediatric brain tumor patients who underwent X-ray radiotherapy (XRT) versus proton radiotherapy (PRT). METHODS Pediatric patients who underwent either XRT or PRT and received posttreatment age-appropriate neuropsychological evaluation-including measures of intelligence (IQ), attention, memory, visuographic skills, academic skills, and parent-reported adaptive functioning-were identified. Multivariate analyses were performed to assess differences in neuropsychological outcomes and included tests for interaction between treatment cohort and follow-up time. RESULTS Between 1998 and 2017, 125 patients with tumors located in the supratentorial (17.6%), midline (28.8%), or posterior fossa (53.6%) compartments received radiation and had posttreatment neuropsychological evaluation. Median age at treatment was 7.4 years. The PRT patient cohort had higher estimated SES and shorter median time from radiotherapy completion to last neuropsychological evaluation (6.7 vs 2.6 y, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, PRT was associated with higher full-scale IQ (β = 10.6, P = 0.048) and processing speed (β = 14.4, P = 0.007) relative to XRT, with trend toward higher verbal IQ (β = 9.9, P = 0.06) and general adaptive functioning (β = 11.4, P = 0.07). Planned sensitivity analyses truncating follow-up interval in the XRT cohort re-demonstrated higher verbal IQ (P = 0.01) and IQ (P = 0.04) following PRT, with trend toward improved processing speed (P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS PRT is associated with favorable outcomes for intelligence and processing speed. Combined with other strategies for treatment de-intensification, PRT may further reduce neuropsychological morbidity of brain tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey P Gross
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Stephanie Powell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Frank Zelko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - William Hartsell
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Radiation Oncology Consultants LLC, Chicago, Illinois.,Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center, Warrenville, Illinois
| | - Stewart Goldman
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jason Fangusaro
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine and the Aflac Cancer Center, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rishi R Lulla
- Department of Pediatrics, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Natasha Pillay Smiley
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - John Han-Chih Chang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Vinai Gondi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.,Radiation Oncology Consultants LLC, Chicago, Illinois.,Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center, Warrenville, Illinois
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40
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Thornton CP, Ruble K, Jacobson LA. Beyond Risk-Based Stratification: Impacts of Processing Speed and Executive Function on Adaptive Skills in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2020; 10:288-295. [PMID: 32668177 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2020.0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The number of adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer is increasing, and the impacts of therapy on their daily lives are not well understood. Adaptive functions are required for age-appropriate interactions and day to day functioning, but are reduced in AYA survivors. Work in other pediatric populations suggests that additional neurocognitive skills may influence adaptive function and, thus, quality of life and personal attainment of AYA cancer survivors. Methods: Retrospective medical records review examined neurocognitive data from 139 AYA survivors. Hierarchical linear regression examined age at diagnosis, use of central nervous system (CNS) radiation, verbal intelligence, processing speed, and executive function as predictors of adaptive functioning domains. Results: AYA survivors exhibited weaknesses in all domains of adaptive functioning compared to normative reference values (Cohen's d = 0.660-0.864), as well as in processing speed (Cohen's d = 0.791) and metacognitive executive functioning (Cohen's d = 0.817). Processing speed and executive function provided substantial improvements in prediction of adaptive functioning beyond that of age at diagnosis and use of CNS-directed radiation therapy. Taken together these variables explained 37.1% of variability in adaptive conceptual skills, 26.1% in adaptive social skills, and 27.1% of adaptive practical skills. Conclusions: Intelligence, processing speed, and executive function significantly contribute to adaptive function scores in AYA cancer survivors and impact domains that are important to self-sufficiency and quality of life. Attention to neurocognitive function in all AYA cancer survivors is recommended in addition to referral for neuropsychological evaluation and tailoring interventions to address executive and adaptive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifton P Thornton
- Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kathy Ruble
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lisa A Jacobson
- Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Brain Tumors using Robotic Radiation Delivery System and Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy. Pract Radiat Oncol 2020; 10:e173-e182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prro.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Greenberger BA, Yock TI. The role of proton therapy in pediatric malignancies: Recent advances and future directions. Semin Oncol 2020; 47:8-22. [PMID: 32139101 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2020.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Proton radiotherapy has promised an advantage in safely treating pediatric malignancies with an increased capability to spare normal tissues, reducing the risk of both acute and late toxicity. The past decade has seen the proliferation of more than 30 proton facilities in the United States, with increased capacity to provide access to approximately 3,000 children per year who will require radiotherapy for their disease. We provide a review of the initial efforts to describe outcomes after proton therapy across the common pediatric disease sites. We discuss the main attempts to assess comparative efficacy between proton and photon radiotherapy concerning toxicity. We also discuss recent efforts of multi-institutional registries aimed at accelerating research to better define the optimal treatment paradigm for children requiring radiotherapy for cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin A Greenberger
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College & Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Torunn I Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center, Boston, MA.
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Neurocognitive function and quality of life after proton beam therapy for brain tumour patients. Radiother Oncol 2020; 143:108-116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2019.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Grieco JA, Abrams AN, Evans CL, Yock TI, Pulsifer MB. A comparison study assessing neuropsychological outcome of patients with post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome and matched controls after proton radiation therapy. Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:305-313. [PMID: 31325031 PMCID: PMC7067447 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-019-04299-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Post-operative pediatric cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), characterized by mutism, ataxia/hypotonia, and emotional lability, can result in long-term deficits following resection of posterior fossa (PF) tumors. This longitudinal study compared neuropsychological outcomes of pediatric patients with post-operative CMS to a matched control patient group without CMS. METHODS Fifty-eight PF tumor patients received post-surgical proton radiation therapy (PRT) and testing at baseline and at ≥ 1-year post-PRT over a 10-year period. Of these, 18 (31%) had post-operative CMS with baseline and follow-up neuropsychological test data. Those participants were matched to 18 controls by tumor location, age, gender, and handedness; no significant group differences were found at baseline for clinical/demographic variables. Total mean age at baseline was 7.26 years (SD = 4.42); mean follow-up interval was 3.26 years (SD = 2.24). Areas assessed: overall intelligence, expressive and receptive vocabulary, visuomotor integration, fine motor speed, inhibition, emotional control, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS Patients were 52% male; 86% medulloblastoma/14% ependymoma; 86% craniospinal irradiation/14% focal radiation; and 86% chemotherapy. No group differences were found between most mean baseline scores; expressive vocabulary and fine motor speed were significantly lower in the post-operative CMS group (p < 0.05). Mean change scores revealed no significant differences for the sample; scores were within the normal range except fine motor skills were impaired for both groups. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal neuropsychological outcomes for post-operative pediatric CMS patients did not differ significantly from matched controls without this condition. Patients were in the normal range in all areas except fine motor speed, which was impaired for both groups independent of CMS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Grieco
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital,Harvard Medical School
| | - Annah N. Abrams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital,Harvard Medical School
| | - Casey L. Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | - Torunn I. Yock
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital,Harvard Medical School
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Roth AK, Ris MD, Orobio J, Xue J, Mahajan A, Paulino AC, Grosshans D, Okcu MF, Chintagumpala M, Kahalley L. Cognitive mediators of adaptive functioning outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumors treated with proton radiotherapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020; 67:e28064. [PMID: 31736188 PMCID: PMC7433211 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.28064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cranial radiotherapy (RT) is associated with risk for cognitive and adaptive dysfunction. Proton RT (PRT) is a technique hypothesized to spare cognition by reducing exposure to nontarget brain tissue. However, little is known regarding functional outcomes in survivors of pediatric brain tumor (BT) treated with PRT. The present study examined the relationship between cognitive and adaptive outcomes in pediatric BT survivors post-PRT. METHODS Survivors treated with either focal (n = 33) or craniospinal irradiation (CSI; n = 37) PRT completed neurocognitive evaluations approximately 5 years post-treatment. Results of intelligence testing and ratings of adaptive functioning are reported. Mediation models examined the relationship among radiation field, cognition, and adaptive functioning. RESULTS The PRT CSI group demonstrated worse cognitive outcomes than the PRT Focal group across each cognitive index (Cohen's d = 0.56-0.70). Parent ratings of adaptive functioning were also worse in the PRT CSI group than the PRT Focal group (Global Adaptive Composite, d = 0.53; conceptual skills, d = 0.67). Cognitive performance fully mediated the relationship between radiation field and adaptive outcomes, while controlling for group differences in tumor histology and RT dose. CONCLUSIONS Focal PRT survivors demonstrated generally positive outcomes with weaknesses in processing speed and aspects of adaptive functioning. CSI exposure was associated with more consistently poor cognitive and adaptive outcomes. The increased risk for adaptive dysfunction in the PRT CSI group appeared due to the effects of CSI on cognition. Efforts to reduce the volume of tissue exposure to RT remain important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra K. Roth
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - M. Douglas Ris
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Jessica Orobio
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Judy Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | | | - Arnold C. Paulino
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - David Grosshans
- Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, United States
| | - M. Fatih Okcu
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Murali Chintagumpala
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Lisa Kahalley
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Psychology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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Bitterman DS, MacDonald SM, Yock TI, Tarbell NJ, Wright KD, Chi SN, Marcus KJ, Haas-Kogan DA. Revisiting the Role of Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Low-Grade Glioma. J Clin Oncol 2019; 37:3335-3339. [PMID: 31498029 PMCID: PMC9798905 DOI: 10.1200/jco.19.01270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S. Bitterman
- Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, MA,Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA,Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | | | | | | | - Karen D. Wright
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Susan N. Chi
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Karen J. Marcus
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Daphne A. Haas-Kogan
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA,Daphne A. Haas-Kogan, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, DA-16-22, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02115; e-mail:
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47
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LaRiviere MJ, Santos PMG, Hill-Kayser CE, Metz JM. Proton Therapy. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2019; 33:989-1009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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48
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Adverse late effects of pediatric brain tumors can be numerous and complex and potentially alter the life trajectories of survivors in a multitude of ways. We review these inter-related late effects that compromise neurocognitive function, general health, social and psychological adjustment, and overall adaptive and vocational outcomes, and threaten to undermine the ability of survivors to transition independently into adulthood and effectively manage their care. Intervention/prevention strategies and advances in treatment that may reduce such late effects are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS Studies of neuropsychological late effects have revealed specific deficits in core cognitive functions of attention, working memory and processing speed, with many survivors demonstrating decline in working memory and processing speed over time, irrespective of tumor type or treatment. This in turn affects the ongoing development of higher order neurocognitive skills. Research also highlights the increasing burden of health-related, neuropsychological and psychosocial late effects into adulthood and impact across life outcomes. SUMMARY Pediatric brain tumor survivors require coordinated interdisciplinary care, ongoing evaluation and management of late effects, and timely interventions focused on mitigating the impact of late effects. The transition to adulthood can be especially vulnerable and addressing barriers to care is of paramount importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celiane Rey-Casserly
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tanya Diver
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children's Hospital
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Sethi R, MacDonald S. Hippocampus avoidance in pediatric patients. Neuro Oncol 2019; 21:1093-1094. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noz110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Roshan Sethi
- Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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50
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Huang AJ, Kornguth D, Kornguth S. Cognitive Decline Secondary to Therapeutic Brain Radiation-Similarities and Differences to Traumatic Brain Injury. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9050097. [PMID: 31035608 PMCID: PMC6562497 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9050097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting from forceful impacts on the torso and head has been of major interest because of the prevalence of such injuries in military personnel, contact sports and the elderly. Cognitive and behavioral changes associated with TBI are also seen following whole brain radiation treatment for cancer and chemotherapy for disseminated tumors. The biological mechanisms involved in the initiation of TBI from impact, radiation, and chemotherapy to loss of cognitive function have several shared characteristics including increases in blood brain barrier permeability, blood vessel density, increases in inflammatory and autoimmune responses, alterations in NMDA and glutamate receptor levels and release of proteins normally sequestered in the brain into the blood and spinal fluid. The development of therapeutic agents that mitigate the loss of cognition and development of behavioral disorders in patients experiencing radiation-induced injury may provide benefit to those with TBI when similar processes are involved on a cellular or molecular level. Increased collaborative efforts between the radiation oncology and the neurology and psychiatry communities may be of major benefit for the management of brain injury from varied environmental insults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Kornguth
- Golden Gate Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
| | - Steven Kornguth
- Dell Medical School, The University of Texas Austin, Austin, TX 78701, USA.
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