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Scheffler P, Fung C, Momjian S, Koessinger D, Häni L, Neidert N, Straehle J, Volz F, Schnell O, Beck J, El Rahal A. Dexamethasone in Patients with Glioblastoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1393. [PMID: 38611071 PMCID: PMC11011080 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071393] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Glioblastomas are the most common primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Although modern management strategies have modestly improved overall survival, the prognosis remains dismal, with treatment side effects often impinging on the clinical course. Glioblastomas cause neurological dysfunction by infiltrating CNS tissue and via perifocal oedema formation. The administration of steroids such as dexamethasone is thought to alleviate symptoms by reducing oedema. However, despite its widespread use, the evidence for the administration of dexamethasone is limited and conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to review the current evidence concerning the use and outcomes of dexamethasone in patients with glioblastoma. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. We performed a restricted search using the keywords "Dexamethasone" and "Glioblastoma" on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Academic Search Premier. We included studies reporting on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in glioblastoma patients receiving higher or lower dexamethasone doses. The risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I. We performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model for OS and PFS. RESULTS Twenty-two retrospective studies were included. Higher doses of dexamethasone were associated with poorer OS (hazard ratio 1.62, confidence interval 1.40-1.88) and PFS (1.49, 1.23-1.81). OS remained worse even when studies corrected for clinical status (1.52, 1.38-1.67). CONCLUSION Despite the widespread use of dexamethasone in glioblastoma patients, its use is correlated with worse long-term outcomes. Consequently, Dexamethasone administration should be restricted to selected symptomatic patients. Future prospective studies are crucial to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Scheffler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Christian Fung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Shahan Momjian
- Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Koessinger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Levin Häni
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Neidert
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
- Berta-Ottenstein Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Straehle
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Florian Volz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Jürgen Beck
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
| | - Amir El Rahal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center University of Freiburg, 79098 Freiburg, Germany; (P.S.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, Geneva University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
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Mistry AM. Perioperative dexamethasone in high-grade gliomas: the short-term benefits and long-term harms. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1335730. [PMID: 38162484 PMCID: PMC10755919 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1335730] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Dexamethasone has been commonly given to patients with a presumed new GBM in relatively large doses (6-16 mg daily for 1-2 weeks) since the 1960s without any rigorous evidence. This treatment with dexamethasone before the diagnosis and adjuvant therapy makes GBM patients unique compared to other newly diagnosed cancer patients. While dexamethasone may be beneficial, recent studies suggest that this potent immunosuppressant with pleiotropic effects is harmful in the long term. This perspective article summarizes the disadvantages of perioperative dexamethasone from multiple facets. It concludes that these growing data mandate rigorously testing the benefits of using perioperative dexamethasone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshitkumar M. Mistry
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
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Onyiah C, Shepard MJ. Letter: are there incidences of clinically relevant psychiatric symptoms during glioblastoma treatment? J Neurooncol 2023; 163:729-730. [PMID: 37440098 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-023-04376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Chinelo Onyiah
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Matthew J Shepard
- Department of Neurosurgery, Allegheny Health Network Neuroscience Institute, Pittsburgh, USA.
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Characterization of perioperative glycemic status and dexamethasone use with associated postoperative complications in glioblastoma patients. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2023; 165:1031-1040. [PMID: 36879101 DOI: 10.1007/s00701-023-05541-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Postoperative morbidity in glioblastoma (GBM) patients can be due to the disease course but can also come from postoperative complications. Our objective was to study the association of dexamethasone use and perioperative hyperglycemia with postoperative complications in GBM patients. METHODS A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients who underwent surgery for primary GBM from 2014-2018. Patients with perioperative fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements and adequate follow-up to assess for complications were included. RESULTS A total of 199 patients were included. More than half (53%) had poor perioperative glycemic control (FBG ≥ 7 mM for ≥ 20% perioperative days). Higher dexamethasone dose (≥ 8 mg) was associated with higher FBG on postoperative days 2-4 and 5 (p = 0.02,0.05,0.004,0.02, respectively). Poor glycemic control was associated with increased odds of 30-day any complication and 30-day infection on univariate analysis (UVA), and 30-day any complication and increased length of stay (LOS) on multivariate analysis (MVA). Higher average perioperative daily dexamethasone dose was associated with increased odds of 30-day any complication and 30-day infection on MVA. Elevated hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c, ≥ 6.5%) was associated with increased odds of 30-day any complication, 30-day infection, and LOS on UVA. In a multivariate linear regression model, only the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus predicted perioperative hyperglycemia. CONCLUSIONS Perioperative hyperglycemia, higher average dexamethasone use and elevated preoperative HgbA1c are associated with increased risk of postoperative complications in GBM patients. Avoiding hyperglycemia and limiting dexamethasone use in postoperative period may decrease the risk of complications. Select HgbA1c screening may allow the identification of a group of patients at higher risk of complications.
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Advantages and drawbacks of dexamethasone in glioblastoma multiforme. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2022; 172:103625. [PMID: 35158070 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2022.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The most widespread, malignant, and deadliest type of glial tumor is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Despite radiation, chemotherapy, and radical surgery, the median survival of afflicted individuals is about 12 months. Unfortunately, existing therapeutic interventions are abysmal. Dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic glucocorticoid, has been used for many years to treat brain edema and inflammation caused by GBM. Several investigations have recently shown that Dex also exerts antitumoral effects against GBM. On the other hand, more recent disputed findings have questioned the long-held dogma of Dex treatment for GBM. Unfortunately, steroids are associated with various undesirable side effects, including severe immunosuppression and metabolic changes like hyperglycemia, which may impair the survival of GBM patients. Current ideas and concerns about Dex's effects on GBM cerebral edema, cell proliferation, migration, and its clinical outcomes were investigated in this study.
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