Analysis of Treatment Tolerance and Factors Associated with Overall Survival in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma

Sex differences in adverse events in Medicare individuals ≥ 66 years of age post glioblastoma treatment

PURPOSE

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor with the highest incidence occurring in older adults with a median age at diagnosis of 64 years old. While treatment often improves survival it brings toxicities and adverse events (AE). Here we identify sex differences in treatment patterns and AE in individuals ≥ 66 years at diagnosis with GB.

METHODS

Using the SEER-Medicare dataset sex differences in adverse events were assessed using multivariable logistic regression performed to calculate the male/female odds ratio (M/F OR) and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] of experiencing an AE adjusted for demographic variables and Elixhauser comorbidity score.

RESULTS

Males with GB were more likely to receive standard of care (SOC; Surgery with concurrent radio-chemotherapy) [20%] compared to females [17%], whereas females were more likely to receive no treatment [26%] compared to males [21%]. Females with GB receiving SOC were more likely to develop gastrointestinal disorders (M/F OR = 0.76; 95% CI,0.64-0.91, p = 0.002) or blood and lymphatic system disorders (M/F OR = 0.79; 95% CI,0.66-0.95, p = 0.012). Males with GB receiving SOC were more likely to develop cardiac disorders (M/F OR = 1.21; 95% CI,1.02-1.44, p = 0.029) and renal disorders (M/F OR = 1.65; 95% CI,1.37-2.01, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sex differences for individuals, 66 years and older, diagnosed with GB exist in treatment received and adverse events developed across different treatment modalities.

The Bi-(AID-1-T) G-Quadruplex Has a Janus Effect on Primary and Recurrent Gliomas: Anti-Proliferation and Pro-Migration

High-grade gliomas are considered an incurable disease. Despite all the various therapy options available, patient survival remains low, and the tumor usually returns. Tumor resistance to conventional therapy and stimulation of the migratory activity of surviving cells are the main factors that lead to recurrent tumors. When developing new treatment approaches, the effect is most often evaluated on standard and phenotypically depleted cancer cell lines. Moreover, there is much focus on the anti-proliferative effect of such therapies without considering the possible stimulation of migratory activity. In this paper, we studied how glioma cell migration changes after exposure to bi-(AID-1-T), an anti-proliferative aptamer. We investigated the effect of this aptamer on eight human glioma cell cultures (Grades III and IV) that were derived from patients' tumor tissue; the difference between primary and recurrent tumors was taken into account. Despite its strong anti-proliferative activity, bi-(AID-1-T) was shown to induce migration of recurrent tumor cells. This result shows the importance of studying the effect of therapeutic molecules on the invasive properties of glioma tumor cells in order to reduce the likelihood of inducing tumor recurrence.

Association Between Urbanicity and Outcomes Among Patients with Spinal Cord Ependymomas in the United States

BACKGROUND

Spinal cord ependymomas (SCEs) represent the most common intramedullary spinal cord tumors among adults. Research shows that access to neurosurgical care and patient outcomes can be greatly influenced by patient location. This study investigates the association between the outcomes of patients with SCE in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.

METHODS

Cases of SCE between 2004 and 2019 were identified within the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, a combined dataset including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Program of Cancer Registries and National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program data. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between urbanicity and SCE treatment, adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, race and ethnicity. Survival data was available from 42 National Program of Cancer Registries (excluding Kansas and Minnesota, for which county data are unavailable), and Cox proportional hazard models were used to understand the effect of surgical treatment, county urbanicity, age at diagnosis, and the interaction effect between age at diagnosis and surgery, on the survival time of patients.

RESULTS

Overall, 7577 patients were identified, with 6454 (85%) residing in metropolitan and 1223 (15%) in nonmetropolitan counties. Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties had different age, sex, and race/ethnicity compositions; however, demographics were not associated with differences in the type of surgery received when stratified by urbanicity. Irrespective of metropolitan status, individuals who were American Indian/Alaska Native non-Hispanic and Hispanic (all races) were associated with reduced odds of receiving surgery. Individuals who were Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic were associated with increased odds of receiving comprehensive treatment. Diagnosis of SCE at later ages was linked with elevated mortality (hazard ratio = 4.85, P < 0.001). Gross total resection was associated with reduced risk of death (hazard ratio = 0.37, P = 0.004), and age did not interact with gross total resection to influence risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between patients' residential location and access to neurosurgical care is critical to ensuring equitable distribution of care. This study represents an important step in delineating areas of existing disparities.

Treatment of very elderly glioblastoma patients ≥ 75 years of age: whom to treat

PURPOSE

The prognosis of patients ≥ 75 years suffering from glioblastoma is poor. Novel therapies are usually reserved for patients ≤ 70 years. In an aging population, treatment of very elderly patients remains a challenge.

METHODS

Between 2010 and 2018, a total of 977 glioblastoma patients were treated at our institution. Of these, 143 patients were ≥ 75 years at diagnosis. Primary procedure was surgical resection or biopsy followed by adjuvant treatment, whenever possible. We retrospectively investigated overall survival (OS) and potential prognostic factors influencing survival, including Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), surgical therapy, adjuvant therapy as well as MGMT promotor status.

RESULTS

In very elderly patients, median age was 79 years (range: 75-110). Biopsy only was performed in 104 patients; resection was performed in 39 patients. Median OS for the entire cohort was 5.9 months. Univariate analysis showed that KPS at presentation (≥ 70 vs. ≤60), surgery vs. biopsy, adjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy were significantly associated with OS (6 vs. 3, p < 0.0111; 12 vs. 4, p = 0.0011; 11 vs. 4, p = 0.0003 and 10 vs. 1.5 months, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis confirmed adjuvant radiotherapy (p < 0.0001) and chemotherapy (p = 0.0002) as independent factors influencing OS.

CONCLUSION

For very elderly patients, the natural course of disease without treatment is devastating. These patients benefit from multimodal treatment including adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A beneficial effect of resection has not been demonstrated. Treatment options and outcomes should be thoughtfully discussed before treatment decisions are made.

Do elderly patients (≥ 75 years old) with glioblastoma benefit from more radical surgeries in the era of temozolomide?

This study assesses the effect of extent of resection (EOR) on the longer-term survival and early mortality of elderly patients (≥ 75 years old) with glioblastoma. We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and data from our center to evaluate the effect of EOR on the long-term survival and early mortality of patients with glioblastoma. We included 50 elderly patients (≥ 75 years old) with glioblastoma visiting our hospital. The median overall survival of the patients who underwent a gross total resection, a subtotal resection, and a partial resection were 278, 200, and 83 days, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that gross total resection (HR: 0.100; 95% CI: 0.015-0.671, p < 0.001) and subtotal reresection (HR: 0.134, 95% CI: 0.022-0.831, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of favorable prognosis when compared with partial resection. The data extracted from the SEER database also indicated that EOR was an independent predictor of OS, CCS, and early mortality. The stratification analysis revealed that gross total resection was the best protective factor of OS, early mortality, and CCS. Radical resection may improve the OS and CCS of glioblastoma patients aged ≥ 75 years and decrease early mortality.

Competing risk model to determine the prognostic factors and treatment strategies for elderly patients with glioblastoma

The prognostic factors and optimal treatment for the elderly patient with glioblastoma (GBM) were poorly understood. This study extracted 4975 elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) with histologically confirmed GBM from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Firstly, Cumulative incidence function and cox proportional model were utilized to illustrate the interference of non-GBM related mortality in our cohort. Then, the Fine-Gray competing risk model was applied to determine the prognostic factors for GBM related mortality. Age ≥ 75 years old, white race, size > 5.4 cm, frontal lobe tumor, and overlapping lesion were independently associated with more GBM related death, while Gross total resection (GTR) (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.80-0.94, P = 0.010), radiotherapy (HR 0.64, 95%CI 0.55-0.74, P < 0.001), chemotherapy (HR 0.72, 95%CI 0.59-0.90, P = 0.003), and chemoRT (HR 0.43, 95%CI 0.38-0.48, P < 0.001) were identified as independently protective factors of GBM related death. Based on this, a corresponding nomogram was conducted to predict 3-, 6- and 12-month GBM related mortality, the C-index of which were 0.763, 0.718, and 0.694 respectively. The calibration curve showed that there was a good consistency between the predicted and the actual mortality probability. Concerning treatment options, GTR followed by chemoRT is suggested as optimal treatment. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone also provide moderate clinical benefits.

Outcomes and Patterns of Care in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor in adults, with an increased incidence among the elderly. However, the optimal treatment strategy in elderly patients remains unclear. This study seeks to investigate the effect of patient selection and treatment strategies on survival trends in these patients.

METHODS

Patients with diagnosis codes specific for GBM were queried from the National Cancer Database during 2004-2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate outcomes. Survival curves and 5-year survival were also generated based on patient-specific factors.

RESULTS

Among 104,456 patients with GBM identified, elderly patients were less likely to receive radiotherapy (61.3% vs. 77.8%; P < 0.001) or chemotherapy (47.2% vs. 62.9%; P < 0.001) or to undergo surgical resection (68.3% vs. 81.8; P < 0.001). Mean overall survival was 9.1 months (standard deviation, 10.0) and 5-year survival was 5.3%. Multivariate analysis showed age 75-84 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.73; P = 0.003) and lower Karnofsky Performance Status (50-70: HR, 1.68, 95% CI, 1.35-2.08, P < 0.001; ≤40: HR, 1.79, 95% CI 1.18-2.72, P = 0.006) were associated with decreased overall survival, whereas surgical resection (subtotal resection: HR, 0.52, 95% CI, 0.38-0.71, P < 0.001; gross total resection: HR, 0.29, 95% CI, 0.21-0.41, P < 0.001), radiotherapy (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.47-0.91; P = 0.012), and chemotherapy (HR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48-0.88; P = 0.006) were associated with increased overall survival in elderly patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In an analysis of 104,456 patients with GBM, all treatment modalities were found to be used less frequently in elderly patients. Increasing age and poor performance status were associated with worsened survival. Gross total resection was associated with the greatest survival benefit, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy also improved survival outcomes. These treatment options improved outcomes regardless of performance status. Although maximal treatment strategies may improve survival in elderly patients with GBM, these treatment strategies must be balanced against patient-specific factors and quality-of-life concerns.

High-resolution melting effectively pre-screens for TP53 mutations before direct sequencing in patients with diffuse glioma

TP53 mutations are important molecular markers in diffuse astrocytic tumors and medulloblastomas. We examined the efficacy of a pre-screening method for high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis of TP53 mutation before direct sequencing using samples from patients with diffuse glioma. Surgical samples from 64 diffuse gliomas were classified based on the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) histopathological grading system and the cIMPACT-NOW (consortium to inform molecular and practical approaches to CNS tumor taxonomy-not official WHO) update. TP53 mutations from exon 5 to exon 8 were assessed by direct sequencing. The results of HRM and p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis were compared by recording the sensitivity, specificity, and false negative and false positive rates. Direct sequencing detected TP53 mutations in 18 of 64 samples (28.1%): diffuse astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (n = 3); diffuse astrocytoma, IDH-wild type (n = 1); anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (n = 3); anaplastic astrocytoma, IDH-wild type (n = 4); and glioblastoma, IDH-wild type (n = 7). A total of 22 mutations was detected in the 18 samples; 4 samples exhibited duplicate missense mutations. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.96 and 0.96, respectively, for HRM analysis; they were 0.89 and 0.52, respectively, for p53 IHC. Overall accuracy was 0.98 for HRM and 0.63 for IHC. HRM analysis is a good pre-screening method for the detection of TP53 mutation before direct sequencing.

Age-stratified clinical performance and survival of patients with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma homogeneously treated by radiotherapy with concomitant and maintenance temozolomide

OBJECTIVE

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype glioblastomas are the most malignant glial tumours. Median survival is only 14-16 months after diagnosis, with patients aged ≥ 65 years reportedly showing worse outcome. This study aimed to further evaluate the prognostic role of age in a homogenously treated patient cohort.

METHODS

The study includes 132 IDH-wildtype glioblastoma patients treated between 2013 and 2017 with open resection followed by radiotherapy with concomitant and maintenance temozolomide. Patients were dichotomized into a non-elderly (< 65 years) and an elderly (≥ 65 years) group. Extent of resection and the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status were determined for each tumour. Clinical and radiological follow-up data were obtained at 6 weeks after the end of radiation therapy and thereafter in 3-month intervals. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

The elderly group consisted of 58 patients (median age: 70.5 years) and the non-elderly group of 74 patients (median age: 55 years). Median pre- and postoperative operative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score and National Institutes of Stroke Scale (NIHSS) were not significantly different between the groups, but KPS and ECOG scores became significantly worse in the elderly group at 6 weeks after termination of radiation therapy. Neither PFS nor OS differed significantly between the age groups. Patients with MGMT promoter-methylated tumours survived longer.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients in good pre- and postoperative clinical conditions may show similar outcome as younger patients when treated according to standard of care. However, elderly patients may suffer more frequently from clinical deterioration following chemoradiotherapy. In both age groups, MGMT promoter methylation was linked to longer PFS and OS.

Gross Total vs. Subtotal Resection on Survival Outcomes in Elderly Patients With High-Grade Glioma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The optimal strategy for the management of high-grade glioma in the elderly (≥60.0 years) remains controversial, especially regarding the effects of surgical extent on survival outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare gross total resection (GTR) with subtotal resection (STR) for treatment effects in elderly patients with high-grade glioma.

Methods: Three electronic databases were systematically searched, including PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane library, from inception to August 2018. Hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to express summary effect estimates using the random-effects model. Nineteen retrospective observational studies involving a total of 10,815 elderly patients with high-grade glioma were included in this meta-analysis.

Results: The summary results indicated that GTR was associated with a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with STR (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.64–0.77). In addition, elderly patients administered GTR showed lower risk of 3-month mortality (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.24–0.93), 6-month mortality (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.26–0.56), 9-month mortality (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.25–0.49), and 1-year mortality (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.29–0.56). Pooled OS data differed when stratified by publication year, country, sample size, disease status, and study quality.

Conclusion: GTR seems to be more effective than STR in achieving longer survival in elderly patients with high-grade glioma.

Surgical treatment of glioblastoma in the elderly: the impact of complications

The diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM) often carries a dismal prognosis, with a median survival of 14.6 months. A particular challenge is the diagnosis of GBM in the elderly population (age > 75 years), who have significant comorbidities, present with worse functional status, and are at higher risk with surgical treatments. We sought to evaluate the impact of current GBM treatment, specifically in the elderly population. The authors undertook a retrospective review of all patients aged 75 or older who underwent treatment for GBM from 1997 to 2016. Patient outcomes were evaluated with regards to demographics, surgical variables, postoperative treatment, and complications. A total of 82 patients (mean age 80.5 ± 3.8 years) were seen. Most patients presented with confusion (57.3%) and associated comorbidities, and prior anticoagulation use was common in this age group. Extent of resection (EOR) included no surgery (9.8%), biopsy (22.0%), subtotal resection (40.2%), and gross-total resection (23.2%). Postoperative adjuvant therapy included temozolomide (36.1%), radiation (52.5%), and bevacizumab (11.9%). A mean overall survival of 6.3 ± 1.2 months was observed. There were 34 complications in 23 patients. Improved survival was seen with increased EOR only for patients without postoperative complications. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that complications (HR = 5.43, 95% CI 1.73, 17.04, p = 0.004) predicted poor outcome. Long-term survivors (> 12 months survival) and short-term survivors had similar median preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score (80 vs. 80, p = 0.43), but long-term survivors had unchanged postoperative KPS (80 vs. 60, p = 0.02) and no complications (0/9 vs. 23/72, p = 0.04). The benefit of glioblastoma treatment in our series was limited by the postoperative complications and KPS. Presence of a complication served as an independent risk factor for worsened overall survival in this age group. It is likely that decreased patient function limits postoperative adjuvant therapy and predisposes to higher morbidity especially in this age group.

An Integrative Survival Analysis with Identification of Prognostic Factors in the Patients with Coexisting Glioma and Intracranial Aneurysm

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to perform an integrative clinical and survival analysis for patients with coexisting glioma and intracranial aneurysm and to assess the influence of prognostic factors on overall survival (OS).

METHODS

A systematic literature search on PubMed and Web of Science was performed for literature in English published from 1951 to August 2017. Detailed information including clinical characteristics, treatments, critical events, and time to events for survival analysis was extracted from the included articles. Clinical characteristics of included patients were reviewed, and survival analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors of OS.

RESULTS

A total of 56 cases from 38 articles published in English-language journals were included in this study, and relative details were selected for integrative analysis. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age (<47/≥47 years), ruptured aneurysm (yes/no), glioma type (glioblastoma multiforme [GBM]/no GBM), World Health Organization (WHO) grade (low/high), and radiotherapy (yes/no) had a statistically significant correlation with OS (log-rank P = 0.004, P = 0.037, P = 0.004, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). Further, multivariate analysis revealed that WHO grade (hazard ratio [HR], 22.383; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.795-279.151; P = 0.016) and receiving radiotherapy (HR, 0.054; 95% CI, 0.009-0.333; P = 0.002) were the independent prognostic factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

This integrative survival analysis revealed that WHO grade and receiving radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for OS, and patients with low-grade glioma and receiving radiotherapy had longer survival than counter groups. Nevertheless, similar clinical studies which should be larger samples, multicenter, and collaborative are needed further.

Benefit and Complications of Frame-Based Stereotactic Biopsy in Old and Very Old Patients

OBJECTIVE

Stereotactic biopsy is an everyday procedure implemented in numerous neurosurgical departments. The procedure is performed to obtain tumor tissue of unclear diagnosis. Going in hand with low complication rates and high diagnostic yield, stereotactic biopsies can be performed in adults and children likewise for histopathologic evaluation of lesions in eloquent localizations. However, little is known about whether aged patients do benefit from stereotactic biopsy or rather the therapy that is derived from histopathologic results. In this study, we therefore focused on old (80-84 years) and very old patients (85 years and older) to evaluate whether stereotactic biopsy should be performed leading to further therapy. We also assessed the complication rates of the procedure in this aged population.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of our database and included all patients older than 80 years who underwent stereotactic biopsy at our department from October 2005 until May 2016. Forty-seven patients were included in this study. These patients were divided into 2 subgroups: group 1 consisted of patients from 80 to 84 years old and group 2 of patients aged 85 years and older. All patients underwent stereotactic biopsy to establish histopathologic diagnosis. We excluded patients who underwent cyst puncture or puncture of a hemorrhage because the procedure was not performed for diagnostic purposes. We assessed gender, neuroradiologic diagnosis, Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), number of tissue samples taken, histopathologic diagnosis, localization, postoperative hemorrhage, modality of anesthesia anticoagulation, and further therapy.

RESULTS

Group 1 consisted of 34 patients and group 2 of 13 patients. KPS was 80 and 70, respectively. A histopathologic diagnosis was possible in all but 1 patient. In group 1, 61.8% of the patients agreed to further postoperative therapy (radiation, 35.3%; chemotherapy, 11.8%; combined radiochemotherapy, 11.8%; complication that prevented therapy, 2.9%), as did 53.8% of the patients in group 2 (resection, 7.7%; radiation, 15.4%; combined radiochemotherapy, 30.7%). In group 1, 38.2% declined further therapy, as did 64.1% in group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Also in old and very old patients, a final histopathologic diagnosis should be established to provide adequate therapy. Our data show that most of these aged patients want to be treated.