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Roach JT, Riviere-Cazaux C, Wells BA, Boop FA, Daniels DJ. Epigenetics to clinicopathological features: a bibliometric analysis of H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric glioma literature. Childs Nerv Syst 2024; 40:2009-2017. [PMID: 38613587 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-024-06395-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pediatric-type diffuse high-grade gliomas are the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in children. More than 30% of diffuse hemispheric gliomas (DHG) in adolescents harbor histone H3 G34 mutations and are recognized by the World Health Organization as a distinct tumor entity. By reporting bibliometric characteristics of the most cited publications on H3 G34-mutant DHG (H3 G34 DHG), we provide an overview of emerging literature and speculate where future research efforts may lead. METHODS One hundred fourteen publications discussing H3 G34 DHG were identified, categorized as basic science (BSc), clinical (CL), or review (R), and ranked by citation number. Various bibliometric parameters were summarized, and a comparison between article types was performed. RESULTS Articles within this study represent principal investigators from 15 countries and were published across 63 journals between 2012 and 2024, with 36.84% of articles originating in the United States. Overall median values were as follows: citation count, 20 (range, 0-2591), number of authors, 9 (range, 2-78), and year of publication, 2020 (range, 2012-2024). Among the top ten most cited articles, BSc articles accounted for all ten reports. Compared to CL and R articles, BSc articles were published in journals with higher impact factors. CONCLUSION We establish variability in bibliometric parameters for the most cited publications on H3 G34 DHG. Our findings demonstrate a paucity of high-impact and highly cited CL reports and acknowledge an unmet need to intersect basic mechanism with clinical data to inform novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T Roach
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Division of Brain Tumor Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - Cecile Riviere-Cazaux
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Frederick A Boop
- Department of Global Pediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - David J Daniels
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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2
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Zhang L, Ren Y, Peng Y, Luo Y, Liu Y, Wang X, Yang Y, Liu L, Ai P, Yang X, Li Y, Mao Q, Wang F. Tumor treating fields for newly diagnosed high-grade glioma based on the criteria of 2021 WHO CNS5: A retrospective analysis of Chinese patients in a single center. Cancer Med 2024; 13:e7350. [PMID: 38859683 PMCID: PMC11165168 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.7350] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE High-grade glioma (HGG) is known to be characterized by a high degree of malignancy and a worse prognosis. The classical treatment is safe resection supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Tumor treating fields (TTFields), an emerging physiotherapeutic modality that targets malignant solid tumors using medium-frequency, low-intensity, alternating electric fields to interfere with cell division, have been used for the treatment of new diagnosis of glioblastoma, however, their administration in HGG requires further clinical evidence. The efficacy and safety of TTFields in Chinese patients with HGG were retrospectively evaluated by us in a single center. METHODS We enrolled and analyzed 52 patients with newly diagnosed HGG undergoing surgery and standard chemoradiotherapy regimens from December 2019 to June 2022, and followed them until June 2023. Based on whether they used TTFields, they were divided into a TTFields group and a non-TTFields group. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS There were 26 cases in the TTFields group and 26 cases in the non-TTFields group. In the TTFields group, the median PFS was 14.2 months (95% CI: 9.50-18.90), the median OS was 19.7 months (95% CI: 14.95-24.25) , the median interval from surgery to the start of treatment with TTFields was 2.47 months (95% CI: 1.47-4.13), and the median duration of treatment with TTFields was 10.6 months (95% CI: 9.57-11.63). 15 (57.69%) patients experienced an adverse event and no serious adverse event was reported. In the non-TTFields group, the median PFS was 9.57 months (95% CI: 6.23-12.91) and the median OS was 16.07 months (95% CI: 12.90-19.24). There was a statistically significant difference in PFS (p = 0.005) and OS (p = 0.007) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective analysis, TTFields were observed to improve newly diagnosed HGG patients' median PFS and OS. Compliance was much higher than reported in clinical trials and safety remained good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yanming Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Youheng Peng
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yong Luo
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yanhui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lei Liu
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Ping Ai
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Xiaoyan Yang
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yanchu Li
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Qing Mao
- Department of Neurosurgery, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Feng Wang
- Head and Neck Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
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Fernando D, Ahmed AU, Williams BRG. Therapeutically targeting the unique disease landscape of pediatric high-grade gliomas. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1347694. [PMID: 38525424 PMCID: PMC10957575 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1347694] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are a rare yet devastating malignancy of the central nervous system's glial support cells, affecting children, adolescents, and young adults. Tumors of the central nervous system account for the leading cause of pediatric mortality of which high-grade gliomas present a significantly grim prognosis. While the past few decades have seen many pediatric cancers experiencing significant improvements in overall survival, the prospect of survival for patients diagnosed with pHGGs has conversely remained unchanged. This can be attributed in part to tumor heterogeneity and the existence of the blood-brain barrier. Advances in discovery research have substantiated the existence of unique subgroups of pHGGs displaying alternate responses to different therapeutics and varying degrees of overall survival. This highlights a necessity to approach discovery research and clinical management of the disease in an alternative subtype-dependent manner. This review covers traditional approaches to the therapeutic management of pHGGs, limitations of such methods and emerging alternatives. Novel mutations which predominate the pHGG landscape are highlighted and the therapeutic potential of targeting them in a subtype specific manner discussed. Collectively, this provides an insight into issues in need of transformative progress which arise during the management of pHGGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dasun Fernando
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Afsar U. Ahmed
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Bryan R. G. Williams
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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4
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Xie J, Kuriakose T, Bianski B, Twarog N, Savage E, Xu K, Zhu X, He C, Hansen B, Wang H, High A, Li Y, Rehg JE, Tillman HS, Freeman BB, Rankovic Z, Onar-Thomas A, Fan Y, Wu G, Peng J, Miller S, Baker SJ, Shelat AA, Tinkle CL. ATM inhibition enhances the efficacy of radiation across distinct molecular subgroups of pediatric high-grade glioma. Neuro Oncol 2023; 25:1828-1841. [PMID: 36971093 PMCID: PMC10547515 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) is largely incurable and accounts for most brain tumor-related deaths in children. Radiation is a standard therapy, yet the benefit from this treatment modality is transient, and most children succumb to disease within 2 years. Recent large-scale genomic studies suggest that pHGG has alterations in DNA damage response (DDR) pathways that induce resistance to DNA damaging agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential and molecular consequences of combining radiation with selective DDR inhibition in pHGG. METHODS We conducted an unbiased screen in pHGG cells that combined radiation with clinical candidates targeting the DDR and identified the ATM inhibitor AZD1390. Subsequently, we profiled AZD1390 + radiation in an extensive panel of early passage pHGG cell lines, mechanistically characterized response to the combination in vitro in sensitive and resistant cells and evaluated the combination in vivo using TP53 wild-type and TP53 mutant orthotopic xenografts. RESULTS AZD1390 significantly potentiated radiation across molecular subgroups of pHGG by increasing mutagenic nonhomologous end joining and augmenting genomic instability. In contrast to previous reports, ATM inhibition significantly improved the efficacy of radiation in both TP53 wild-type and TP53 mutant isogenic cell lines and distinct orthotopic xenograft models. Furthermore, we identified a novel mechanism of resistance to AZD1390 + radiation that was marked by an attenuated ATM pathway response which dampened sensitivity to ATM inhibition and induced synthetic lethality with ATR inhibition. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the clinical evaluation of AZD1390 in combination with radiation in pediatric patients with HGG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Xie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Teneema Kuriakose
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Brandon Bianski
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Nathaniel Twarog
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Evan Savage
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Ke Xu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Chen He
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Baranda Hansen
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Hong Wang
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Anthony High
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Yuxin Li
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Jerold E Rehg
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | | | - Burgess B Freeman
- Preclinical Pharmacokinetic Shared Resource, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Zoran Rankovic
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Arzu Onar-Thomas
- Department of Biostatistics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Yiping Fan
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Center for Applied Bioinformatics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA
| | - Junmin Peng
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Center for Proteomics and Metabolomics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Department of Structural Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Shondra Miller
- Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Anang A Shelat
- Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
| | - Christopher L Tinkle
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
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I Kh Almadhoun MK, Hattab AAW. Pediatric Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Challenging Case of Rapid Growth and Clinical Deterioration in an 11-Year-Old Female Patient. Cureus 2023; 15:e47697. [PMID: 38021881 PMCID: PMC10674094 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47697] [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] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor that primarily affects adults, with cases in children being extremely rare. Gross total resection with subsequent irradiation and temozolomide, currently delivering the greatest overall survival, is the mainstay of therapy for juvenile GBM. Maximal surgical excision of the visible tumor mass has been shown to have a positive prognostic effect, but radiation concerns for growing brains and inconsistent results from different chemotherapy regimens in pediatric GBM make treatment choices for young patients challenging. Here, we report a case of GBM in an 11-year-old female child who presented with a dramatic presentation of neurologic deficits and clinical worsening due to rapid tumor growth.
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6
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Murdaugh RL, Anastas JN. Applying single cell multi-omic analyses to understand treatment resistance in pediatric high grade glioma. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1002296. [PMID: 37205910 PMCID: PMC10191214 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1002296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite improvements in cancer patient outcomes seen in the past decade, tumor resistance to therapy remains a major impediment to achieving durable clinical responses. Intratumoral heterogeneity related to genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolic differences between individual cancer cells has emerged as a driver of therapeutic resistance. This cell to cell heterogeneity can be assessed using single cell profiling technologies that enable the identification of tumor cell clones that exhibit similar defining features like specific mutations or patterns of DNA methylation. Single cell profiling of tumors before and after treatment can generate new insights into the cancer cell characteristics that confer therapeutic resistance by identifying intrinsically resistant sub-populations that survive treatment and by describing new cellular features that emerge post-treatment due to tumor cell evolution. Integrative, single cell analytical approaches have already proven advantageous in studies characterizing treatment-resistant clones in cancers where pre- and post-treatment patient samples are readily available, such as leukemia. In contrast, little is known about other cancer subtypes like pediatric high grade glioma, a class of heterogeneous, malignant brain tumors in children that rapidly develop resistance to multiple therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation. Leveraging single cell multi-omic technologies to analyze naïve and therapy-resistant glioma may lead to the discovery of novel strategies to overcome treatment resistance in brain tumors with dismal clinical outcomes. In this review, we explore the potential for single cell multi-omic analyses to reveal mechanisms of glioma resistance to therapy and discuss opportunities to apply these approaches to improve long-term therapeutic response in pediatric high grade glioma and other brain tumors with limited treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Murdaugh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Jamie N. Anastas
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Program in Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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7
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Goldman S, Margol A, Hwang EI, Tanaka K, Suchorska B, Crawford JR, Kesari S. Safety tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy in pediatric patients with malignant brain tumors: Post-marketing surveillance data. Front Oncol 2022; 12:958637. [PMID: 36072789 PMCID: PMC9443515 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.958637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an unmet need to develop effective and tolerable treatments for pediatric patients with malignant central nervous system tumors. This is especially essential for pediatric patients with aggressive brain tumors such as high-grade gliomas, which have a typical survival rate of under 2 years. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are locoregional, noninvasive electric fields that produce an antimitotic effect on cancerous cells when applied to the skin via arrays. TTFields therapy (200 kHz) is currently approved in adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), with temozolomide, and recurrent GBM as monotherapy. Positive preclinical and clinical data have encouraged off-label use of TTFields therapy in pediatric patients with brain tumors, and this study aims to explore the safety of TTFields therapy in pediatric patients (0–18 years of age) based on data from an unsolicited post-marketing surveillance safety database. The real-world data reported here demonstrate that TTFields therapy has a favorable safety profile for pediatric patients with brain tumors, with no new safety signals observed. Findings from this study warrant further research into the efficacy of TTFields therapy, as well as its potential impact on the quality of life in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart Goldman
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Stewart Goldman,
| | - Ashley Margol
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Eugene I. Hwang
- Department of Oncology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Bogdana Suchorska
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sana Kliniken Duisburg, Duisburg, Germany
| | - John R. Crawford
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Health of Orange County, Orange County, CA, United States
| | - Santosh Kesari
- Providence Southern California Research Clinical Institute, Saint John’s Cancer Institute, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Novel Pharmacological Treatment Options in Pediatric Glioblastoma-A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112814. [PMID: 35681794 PMCID: PMC9179254 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Childhood glioblastoma is an aggressive brain tumor in children that has a very poor prognosis. Standard therapy includes surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy with temozolomide. So far, there is no effective drug treatment for pediatric glioblastoma patients. This systematic review aims to outline currently available data on novel pharmacological treatment options. None of the included phase II studies showed any benefit regarding overall survival or a prolongation of stable disease. New genomic technologies discovered the biologic heterogeneity of these tumors, demanding more individualized immunotherapeutic and targeted approaches. Autoimmune modulated therapies and further targeting of tumor-specific receptors provide promising preclinical results. Clinical trials aligned to the tumor characteristics are needed to establish effective new therapeutic approaches. Abstract Background: Pediatric glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive central nervous system tumor in children that has dismal prognosis. Standard of care is surgery with subsequent irradiation and temozolomide. We aimed to outline currently available data on novel pharmacological treatments for pediatric GBM. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed and Embase, including reports published in English from 2010 to 2021. We included randomized trials, cohort studies and case series. Phase I trials were not analyzed. We followed PRISMA guidelines, assessed the quality of the eligible reports using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) and the RoB-2 tool and registered the protocol on PROSPERO. Results: We included 6 out of 1122 screened reports. All six selected reports were prospective, multicenter phase II trials (five single-arm and one randomized controlled trial). None of the investigated novel treatment modalities showed any benefit regarding overall or progression free survival. Conclusions: To date, the role of pharmacological approaches regarding pediatric GBM remains unclear, since no novel treatment approach could provide a significant impact on overall or progression free survival. Further research should aim to combine different treatment strategies in large international multicenter trials with central comprehensive diagnostics regarding subgrouping. These novel treatment approaches should include targeted and immunotherapeutic treatments, potentially leading to a more successful outcome.
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Litak J, Grajkowska W, Bogucki J, Kowalczyk P, Petniak A, Podkowiński A, Szumiło J, Kocki J, Roliński J, Rahnama-Hezavah M, Roszkowski M, Grochowski C. PD-L1/miR-155 Interplay in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030324. [PMID: 35326280 PMCID: PMC8946275 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade pediatric glioma (p-HGG—WHO 2021, formerly GBM—WHO 2016), as a common, aggressive, and highly lethal primary brain malignancy in adults, accounts for only 3–15% of primary brain tumors in pediatric patients. After leukemia, brain malignancies are the second most common in the pediatric population and first in incidences concerning solid tumors. This study was designed on the basis of 14 pediatric patients hospitalized at Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw, Poland, due to p-HGG treatment. All the patients had a histopathological diagnosis performed by an experienced neuropathologist according to WHO guidelines (WHO 2016 Grade IV Glioblastoma). A significant correlation was found between the miR-155 concentration and the level of PD-L1 expression in p-HGG tumor tissue. Very few reports have indicated PD-L1 expression in pediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Litak
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (J.R.)
| | - Wiesława Grajkowska
- Department of Pathology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jacek Bogucki
- Chair and Department of Organic Chemistry Medical University of Lublin, 20-400 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Paweł Kowalczyk
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Alicja Petniak
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.P.); (J.K.)
| | | | - Justyna Szumiło
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Janusz Kocki
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Jacek Roliński
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (J.L.); (J.R.)
| | | | - Marcin Roszkowski
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-730 Warsaw, Poland; (P.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Cezary Grochowski
- Chair of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-439 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
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10
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Di Ruscio V, Carai A, Del Baldo G, Vinci M, Cacchione A, Miele E, Rossi S, Antonelli M, Barresi S, Caulo M, Colafati GS, Mastronuzzi A. Molecular Landscape in Infant High-Grade Gliomas: A Single Center Experience. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12020372. [PMID: 35204463 PMCID: PMC8871476 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12020372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade gliomas (HGG) represent about 15% of all pediatric brain tumors, with a dismal prognosis and survival rates ranging from 15 to 35%. Approximately 10–12% of pediatric HGGs (pHGG) occur in children younger than five years of age at diagnosis, specifically infants (iHGG), with an unexpected overall survival rate (OS) in 60–70% of cases. In the literature, iHGGs include a large variety of heterogeneous lesions with different molecular profiles that likely explain their different outcomes. We report our single-institution experience of iHGG including 11 children under five years of age with newly diagnosed HGG between 2011 and 2021. All patients received surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy; only two patients received radiotherapy because their age at diagnosis was more than four years-old. Molecular investigations, including next generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA methylation, detected three NTRK-fusions, one ROS1-fusions, one MN1-rearrangement, and two PATZ1-fusions. According to the molecular results, when chemotherapy failed to control the disease, two patients benefited from target therapy with a NTRK-Inhibitor larotrectinib, achieving a complete remission and a very good partial response, respectively, and no severe side-effects. In conclusion, molecular investigations play a fundamental role in the diagnostic work-up and also in the therapeutic decision. Their routine use in clinical practice could help to replace highly toxic chemotherapy regimens with a target therapy that has moderate adverse effects, even in long-term follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Di Ruscio
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Giada Del Baldo
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Maria Vinci
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonella Cacchione
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Evelina Miele
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Sabrina Rossi
- Department of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Manila Antonelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Sabina Barresi
- Department of Pathology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy; (S.R.); (S.B.)
| | - Massimo Caulo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Stefania Colafati
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging Oncological Neuroradiology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, 00165 Rome, Italy;
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Scientific Institute for Reasearch, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS), 00165 Rome, Italy; (V.D.R.); (G.D.B.); (M.V.); (A.C.); (E.M.); (A.M.)
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11
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Garcia-Fabiani MB, Haase S, Comba A, Carney S, McClellan B, Banerjee K, Alghamri MS, Syed F, Kadiyala P, Nunez FJ, Candolfi M, Asad A, Gonzalez N, Aikins ME, Schwendeman A, Moon JJ, Lowenstein PR, Castro MG. Genetic Alterations in Gliomas Remodel the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Impact Immune-Mediated Therapies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:631037. [PMID: 34168976 PMCID: PMC8217836 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.631037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High grade gliomas are malignant brain tumors that arise in the central nervous system, in patients of all ages. Currently, the standard of care, entailing surgery and chemo radiation, exhibits a survival rate of 14-17 months. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies for these malignant brain tumors. Currently, immunotherapies represent an appealing approach to treat malignant gliomas, as the pre-clinical data has been encouraging. However, the translation of the discoveries from the bench to the bedside has not been as successful as with other types of cancer, and no long-lasting clinical benefits have been observed for glioma patients treated with immune-mediated therapies so far. This review aims to discuss our current knowledge about gliomas, their molecular particularities and the impact on the tumor immune microenvironment. Also, we discuss several murine models used to study these therapies pre-clinically and how the model selection can impact the outcomes of the approaches to be tested. Finally, we present different immunotherapy strategies being employed in clinical trials for glioma and the newest developments intended to harness the immune system against these incurable brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B. Garcia-Fabiani
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Santiago Haase
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Andrea Comba
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Stephen Carney
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Brandon McClellan
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Immunology graduate program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Kaushik Banerjee
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Mahmoud S. Alghamri
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Faisal Syed
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Padma Kadiyala
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | | | - Marianela Candolfi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonela Asad
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nazareno Gonzalez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED, UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Marisa E. Aikins
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Anna Schwendeman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - James J. Moon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Biointerfaces Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Pedro R. Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Maria G. Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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12
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Husband HR, Campagne O, He C, Zhu X, Bianski BM, Baker SJ, Shelat AA, Tinkle CL, Stewart CF. Model-based evaluation of image-guided fractionated whole-brain radiation therapy in pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma xenografts. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol 2021; 10:599-610. [PMID: 33939327 PMCID: PMC8213420 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) is currently the standard treatment for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), the most common cause of death in children with brain cancer. A pharmacodynamic model was developed to describe the radiation-induced tumor shrinkage and overall survival in mice bearing DIPG. CD1-nude mice were implanted in the brain cortex with luciferase-labeled patient-derived orthotopic xenografts of DIPG (SJDIPGx7 H3F3AWT / K27 M and SJDIPGx37 H3F3AK27M / K27M ). Mice were treated with image-guided whole-brain RT at 1 or 2 Gy/fraction 5-days-on 2-days-off for a cumulative dose of 20 or 54 Gy. Tumor progression was monitored with bioluminescent imaging (BLI). A mathematical model describing BLI and overall survival was developed with data from mice receiving 2 Gy/fraction and validated using data from mice receiving 1 Gy/fraction. BLI data were adequately fitted with a logistic tumor growth function and a signal distribution model with linear radiation-induced killing effect. A higher tumor growth rate in SJDIPGx37 versus SJDIPGx7 xenografts and a killing effect decreasing with higher tumor baseline (p < 0.0001) were identified. Cumulative radiation dose was suggested to inhibit the tumor growth rate according to a Hill function. Survival distribution was best described with a Weibull hazard function in which the hazard baseline was a continuous function of tumor BLI. Significant differences were further identified between DIPG cell lines and untreated versus treated mice. The model was adequately validated with mice receiving 1 Gy/fraction and will be useful in guiding future preclinical trials incorporating radiation and to support systemic combination therapies with RT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary R. Husband
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
- College of Engineering and ScienceLouisiana Tech UniversityRustonLAUSA
| | - Olivia Campagne
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Chen He
- Department of Developmental NeurobiologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Department of Developmental NeurobiologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Brandon M. Bianski
- Department of Radiation OncologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Suzanne J. Baker
- Department of Developmental NeurobiologySt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Anang A. Shelat
- Department of Chemical Biology and TherapeuticsSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | | | - Clinton F. Stewart
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
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13
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Sager O, Dincoglan F, Demiral S, Uysal B, Gamsiz H, Colak O, Ozcan F, Gundem E, Elcim Y, Dirican B, Beyzadeoglu M. Concise review of stereotactic irradiation for pediatric glial neoplasms: Current concepts and future directions. World J Methodol 2021; 11:61-74. [PMID: 34026579 PMCID: PMC8127424 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v11.i3.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain tumors, which are among the most common solid tumors in childhood, remain a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in pediatric population. Gliomas, which may be broadly categorized as low grade glioma and high grade glioma, account for the majority of brain tumors in children. Expectant management, surgery, radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy, targeted therapy or combinations of these modalities may be used for management of pediatric gliomas. Several patient, tumor and treatment-related characteristics including age, lesion size, grade, location, phenotypic and genotypic features, symptomatology, predicted outcomes and toxicity profile of available therapeutic options should be considered in decision making for optimal treatment. Management of pediatric gliomas poses a formidable challenge to the physicians due to concerns about treatment induced toxicity. Adverse effects of therapy may include neurological deficits, hemiparesis, dysphagia, ataxia, spasticity, endocrine sequelae, neurocognitive and communication impairment, deterioration in quality of life, adverse socioeconomic consequences, and secondary cancers. Nevertheless, improved understanding of molecular pathology and technological advancements may pave the way for progress in management of pediatric glial neoplasms. Multidisciplinary management with close collaboration of disciplines including pediatric oncology, surgery, and radiation oncology is warranted to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes. In the context of RT, stereotactic irradiation is a viable treatment modality for several central nervous system disorders and brain tumors. Considering the importance of minimizing adverse effects of irradiation, radiosurgery has attracted great attention for clinical applications in both adults and children. Radiosurgical applications offer great potential for improving the toxicity profile of radiation delivery by focused and precise targeting of well-defined tumors under stereotactic immobilization and image guidance. Herein, we provide a concise review of stereotactic irradiation for pediatric glial neoplasms in light of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Sager
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Ferrat Dincoglan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Selcuk Demiral
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Bora Uysal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Hakan Gamsiz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Onurhan Colak
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Fatih Ozcan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Esin Gundem
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Yelda Elcim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Bahar Dirican
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
| | - Murat Beyzadeoglu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Gulhane Medical Faculty, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 06018, Turkey
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14
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High-Grade Gliomas in Children-A Multi-Institutional Polish Study. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092062. [PMID: 33923337 PMCID: PMC8123180 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary High-grade gliomas constitute less than 5% of pediatric brain tumors. Due to the rarity of such a diagnosis, the lack of consensus about the best therapeutic approach, and the difficulty in conducting prospective trials; a retrospective multi-institutional analysis, such as the one presented in this article, is needed. We carried out the survival analysis of children diagnosed and treated with high-grade gliomas in seven major polish institutions. The assessment of the outcome of 82 consecutive patients with grade III and grade IV tumors was performed and showed a 5-year overall survival of only 30%. The extent of resection, immediate temozolomide-based chemotherapy, and radical radiotherapy were found as factors positively influencing survival. Abstract Due to the rarity of high-grade gliomas (HGG) in children, data on this topic are scarce. The study aimed to investigate the long-term results of treatment of children with HGG and to identify factors related to better survival. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated for HGG who had the main tumor located outside the brainstem. The evaluation of factors that correlated with better survival was performed with the Cox proportional-hazard model. Survival was estimated with the Kaplan–Meier method. The study group consisted of 82 consecutive patients. All of them underwent surgery as primary treatment. Chemotherapy was applied in 93% of children with one third treated with temozolomide. After or during the systemic treatment, 79% of them received radiotherapy with a median dose of 54 Gy. Median follow-up was 122 months, and during that time, 59 patients died. One-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival was 78%, 48%, 30% and 17%, respectively. Patients with radical (R0) resection and temozolomide-based chemotherapy had better overall survival. Progression-free survival was better in patients after R0 resection and radical radiotherapy. The best outcome in HGG patients was observed in patients after R0 resection with immediate postoperative temozolomide-based chemotherapy and radical radiotherapy.
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15
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Advanced Spheroid, Tumouroid and 3D Bioprinted In-Vitro Models of Adult and Paediatric Glioblastoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22062962. [PMID: 33803967 PMCID: PMC8000246 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The life expectancy of patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) has not improved in decades. One of the crucial tools to enable future improvement is advanced models that faithfully recapitulate the tumour microenvironment; they can be used for high-throughput screening that in future may enable accurate personalised drug screens. Currently, advanced models are crucial for identifying and understanding potential new targets, assessing new chemotherapeutic compounds or other treatment modalities. Recently, various methodologies have come into use that have allowed the validation of complex models—namely, spheroids, tumouroids, hydrogel-embedded cultures (matrix-supported) and advanced bioengineered cultures assembled with bioprinting and microfluidics. This review is designed to present the state of advanced models of HGG, whilst focusing as much as is possible on the paediatric form of the disease. The reality remains, however, that paediatric HGG (pHGG) models are years behind those of adult HGG. Our goal is to bring this to light in the hope that pGBM models can be improved upon.
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16
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Diffusion histology imaging differentiates distinct pediatric brain tumor histology. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4749. [PMID: 33637807 PMCID: PMC7910493 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade pediatric brain tumors exhibit the highest cancer mortality rates in children. While conventional MRI has been widely adopted for examining pediatric high-grade brain tumors clinically, accurate neuroimaging detection and differentiation of tumor histopathology for improved diagnosis, surgical planning, and treatment evaluation, remains an unmet need in their clinical management. We employed a novel Diffusion Histology Imaging (DHI) approach employing diffusion basis spectrum imaging (DBSI) derived metrics as the input classifiers for deep neural network analysis. DHI aims to detect, differentiate, and quantify heterogeneous areas in pediatric high-grade brain tumors, which include normal white matter (WM), densely cellular tumor, less densely cellular tumor, infiltrating edge, necrosis, and hemorrhage. Distinct diffusion metric combination would thus indicate the unique distributions of each distinct tumor histology features. DHI, by incorporating DBSI metrics and the deep neural network algorithm, classified pediatric tumor histology with an overall accuracy of 85.8%. Receiver operating analysis (ROC) analysis suggested DHI’s great capability in distinguishing individual tumor histology with AUC values (95% CI) of 0.984 (0.982–0.986), 0.960 (0.956–0.963), 0.991 (0.990–0.993), 0.950 (0.944–0.956), 0.977 (0.973–0.981) and 0.976 (0.972–0.979) for normal WM, densely cellular tumor, less densely cellular tumor, infiltrating edge, necrosis and hemorrhage, respectively. Our results suggest that DBSI-DNN, or DHI, accurately characterized and classified multiple tumor histologic features in pediatric high-grade brain tumors. If these results could be further validated in patients, the novel DHI might emerge as a favorable alternative to the current neuroimaging techniques to better guide biopsy and resection as well as monitor therapeutic response in patients with high-grade brain tumors.
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17
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Haase S, Nuñez FM, Gauss JC, Thompson S, Brumley E, Lowenstein P, Castro MG. Hemispherical Pediatric High-Grade Glioma: Molecular Basis and Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249654. [PMID: 33348922 PMCID: PMC7766684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we discuss the molecular characteristics, development, evolution, and therapeutic perspectives for pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) arising in cerebral hemispheres. Recently, the understanding of biology of pHGG experienced a revolution with discoveries arising from genomic and epigenomic high-throughput profiling techniques. These findings led to identification of prevalent molecular alterations in pHGG and revealed a strong connection between epigenetic dysregulation and pHGG development. Although we are only beginning to unravel the molecular biology underlying pHGG, there is a desperate need to develop therapies that would improve the outcome of pHGG patients, as current therapies do not elicit significant improvement in median survival for this patient population. We explore the molecular and cell biology and clinical state-of-the-art of pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs) arising in cerebral hemispheres. We discuss the role of driving mutations, with a special consideration of the role of epigenetic-disrupting mutations. We will also discuss the possibilities of targeting unique molecular vulnerabilities of hemispherical pHGG to design innovative tailored therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santiago Haase
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Fernando M. Nuñez
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jessica C. Gauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sarah Thompson
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Emily Brumley
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pedro Lowenstein
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Maria G. Castro
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (S.H.); (F.M.N.); (J.C.G.); (S.T.); (E.B.); (P.L.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Correspondence:
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18
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Cutting Edge Therapeutic Insights Derived from Molecular Biology of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma and Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Bioengineering (Basel) 2018; 5:bioengineering5040088. [PMID: 30340362 PMCID: PMC6315414 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering5040088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade glioma (pHGG) and brainstem gliomas are some of the most challenging cancers to treat in children, with no effective therapies and 5-year survival at ~2% for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) patients. The standard of care for pHGG as a whole remains surgery and radiation combined with chemotherapy, while radiation alone is standard treatment for DIPG. Unfortunately, these therapies lack specificity for malignant glioma cells and have few to no reliable biomarkers of efficacy. Recent discoveries have revealed that epigenetic disruption by highly conserved mutations in DNA-packaging histone proteins in pHGG, especially DIPG, contribute to the aggressive nature of these cancers. In this review we pose unanswered questions and address unexplored mechanisms in pre-clinical models and clinical trial data from pHGG patients. Particular focus will be paid towards therapeutics targeting chromatin modifiers and other epigenetic vulnerabilities that can be exploited for pHGG therapy. Further delineation of rational therapeutic combinations has strong potential to drive development of safe and efficacious treatments for pHGG patients.
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19
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Krishnan AP, Karunamuni R, Leyden KM, Seibert TM, Delfanti RL, Kuperman JM, Bartsch H, Elbe P, Srikant A, Dale AM, Kesari S, Piccioni DE, Hattangadi-Gluth JA, Farid N, McDonald CR, White NS. Restriction Spectrum Imaging Improves Risk Stratification in Patients with Glioblastoma. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017; 38:882-889. [PMID: 28279985 PMCID: PMC5507368 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE ADC as a marker of tumor cellularity has been promising for evaluating the response to therapy in patients with glioblastoma but does not successfully stratify patients according to outcomes, especially in the upfront setting. Here we investigate whether restriction spectrum imaging, an advanced diffusion imaging model, performed after an operation but before radiation therapy, could improve risk stratification in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma relative to ADC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pre-radiation therapy diffusion-weighted and structural imaging of 40 patients with glioblastoma were examined retrospectively. Restriction spectrum imaging and ADC-based hypercellularity volume fraction (restriction spectrum imaging-FLAIR volume fraction, restriction spectrum imaging-contrast-enhanced volume fraction, ADC-FLAIR volume fraction, ADC-contrast-enhanced volume fraction) and intensities (restriction spectrum imaging-FLAIR 90th percentile, restriction spectrum imaging-contrast-enhanced 90th percentile, ADC-FLAIR 10th percentile, ADC-contrast-enhanced 10th percentile) within the contrast-enhanced and FLAIR hyperintensity VOIs were calculated. The association of diffusion imaging metrics, contrast-enhanced volume, and FLAIR hyperintensity volume with progression-free survival and overall survival was evaluated by using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Among the diffusion metrics, restriction spectrum imaging-FLAIR volume fraction was the strongest prognostic metric of progression-free survival (P = .036) and overall survival (P = .007) in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis, with higher values indicating earlier progression and shorter survival. Restriction spectrum imaging-FLAIR 90th percentile was also associated with overall survival (P = .043), with higher intensities, indicating shorter survival. None of the ADC metrics were associated with progression-free survival/overall survival. Contrast-enhanced volume exhibited a trend toward significance for overall survival (P = .063). CONCLUSIONS Restriction spectrum imaging-derived cellularity in FLAIR hyperintensity regions may be a more robust prognostic marker than ADC and conventional imaging for early progression and poorer survival in patients with glioblastoma. However, future studies with larger samples are needed to explore its predictive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A P Krishnan
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
| | - R Karunamuni
- Departments of Radiation Medicine (R.K., T.M.S., J.A.H.-G., C.R.M.)
| | - K M Leyden
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
| | - T M Seibert
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Departments of Radiation Medicine (R.K., T.M.S., J.A.H.-G., C.R.M.)
| | - R L Delfanti
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
| | - J M Kuperman
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
| | - H Bartsch
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
| | - P Elbe
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
| | - A Srikant
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
| | - A M Dale
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
- Neurosciences (A.M.D., D.E.P.)
| | - S Kesari
- Department of Translational Neuro-Oncology and Neurotherapeutics (S.K.), John Wayne Cancer Institute and Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California
| | | | | | - N Farid
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
| | - C R McDonald
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Departments of Radiation Medicine (R.K., T.M.S., J.A.H.-G., C.R.M.)
- Psychiatry (C.R.M.), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - N S White
- From the Multimodal Imaging Laboratory (A.P.K., K.M.L., T.M.S., J.M.K., H.B., P.E., A.S., A.M.D., N.F., C.R.M., N.S.W.)
- Radiology (R.L.D., J.M.K., H.B., A.M.D., N.F., N.S.W.)
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20
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Vanan MI, Underhill DA, Eisenstat DD. Targeting Epigenetic Pathways in the Treatment of Pediatric Diffuse (High Grade) Gliomas. Neurotherapeutics 2017; 14:274-283. [PMID: 28233220 PMCID: PMC5398987 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-017-0514-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Progress in the treatment of adult high-grade gliomas (HGG), including chemoradiation with concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide for glioblastoma, has not translated into significant therapeutic advances for pediatric HGG, where overall survival has plateaued at 15% to 20%, especially when considering specialized pediatric treatment in tertiary care centers, maximal safe neurosurgical resection, optimized delivery of involved field radiation, and improvements in supportive care. However, recent advances in our understanding of pediatric HGG, including the application of next-generation sequencing and DNA methylation profiling, have identified mutations in the histone variant H3.3 and canonical H3.1 genes, respectively. These mutations are relatively specific to neuroanatomic compartments (cortex, midline structures, thalamus, brainstem) and are often associated with other mutations, especially in specific growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. Targeting epigenetic pathways affected by these histone mutations, alone or in combination with small molecule inhibitors of growth factor receptor signaling pathways, will inform new treatment strategies for pediatric HGG and should be incorporated into novel cooperative group clinical trial designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magimairajan Issai Vanan
- Section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT, CancerCare Manitoba, Research Institute in Oncology and Hematology, Departments of Pediatrics & Child Health and Biochemistry & Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
| | - D Alan Underhill
- Division of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - David D Eisenstat
- Division of Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Care, Stollery Children's Hospital, Departments of Pediatrics, Medical Genetics and Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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21
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Cacchione A, Mastronuzzi A, Cefalo MG, Colafati GS, Diomedi-Camassei F, Rizzi M, De Benedictis A, Carai A. Pediatric spinal glioblastoma of the conus medullaris: a case report of long survival. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2016; 35:44. [PMID: 27160742 PMCID: PMC4862181 DOI: 10.1186/s40880-016-0107-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
High-grade gliomas of the spinal cord represent a rare entity in children. Their biology, behavior, and controversial treatment options have been discussed in a few pediatric cases. These tumors are associated with severe disability and poor prognosis. We report a case of a 4-year-old child diagnosed with an isolated glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris. The patient underwent subtotal surgical excision, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy. He is alive with mild neurologic deficits at 52 months after diagnosis. We describe the peculiar characteristics of this rare condition in pediatric oncology. We also provide an overview of current multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches and prognostic factors for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Cacchione
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Mastronuzzi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppina Cefalo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Rizzi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione Istituto Neurologico "Carlo Besta", IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro De Benedictis
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Carai
- Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4, 00165, Rome, Italy
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22
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Lee MJ. Overview of CNS Gliomas in Childhood. CLINICAL PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.15264/cpho.2016.23.1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mee Jeong Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
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23
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Adams H, Adams HHH, Jackson C, Rincon-Torroella J, Jallo GI, Quiñones-Hinojosa A. Evaluating extent of resection in pediatric glioblastoma: a multiple propensity score-adjusted population-based analysis. Childs Nerv Syst 2016; 32:493-503. [PMID: 26767842 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-015-3006-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The benefit of radical resections for glioblastoma patients remains a source of contention in the literature. Few studies have been conducted in pediatric patients, and it is becoming increasingly evident that data regarding adult glioblastoma (GB) patients cannot be generalized to pediatric patients affected by this neoplasm. A comparative effectiveness study is performed for different extent of resection (EOR) groups in the largest cohort of pediatric GB (pGB) patients. METHODS The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry was used to identify pGB patients from 1988 through 2009. Multivariate- and multiple propensity score (mPS)-adjusted analyses were used to determine the effect of gross total resection (GTR), partial resection (PR), and biopsy (Bx) on overall survival. Survival prospects were summarized using direct adjusted survival curves. RESULTS A total of 342 pGB patients were identified, and 35.4 % of patients received a GTR, 28.8 % PR, 17.3 % Bx, and 17.0 % did not undergo surgery. In our cohort, a median overall survival of 12 months was observed with 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of 51.7, 28.3, and 15.7 %, respectively. EOR was a predictor of survival in both the multivariate- (P < 0.001) and mPS-adjusted model (P < 0.001). Compared to the GTR group, a higher mortality rate was observed in patients who underwent a PR (HR 1.50; 95 % CI, 1.02-2.21) or Bx (HR 1.87; 95 % CI, 1.18-2.98). There were no significant differences in (adjusted) mortality risk between the PR and Bx groups. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that GTR is independently associated with improved survival for pediatric patients with glioblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadie Adams
- Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Cancer Research Building II Room 253, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.,Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Addenbrooke's Hospital and University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hieab H H Adams
- Division of Neuro-Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christina Jackson
- Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Cancer Research Building II Room 253, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Jordina Rincon-Torroella
- Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Cancer Research Building II Room 253, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - George I Jallo
- Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Cancer Research Building II Room 253, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa
- Department of Neurosurgery and Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, Cancer Research Building II Room 253, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
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24
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Vanan MI, Eisenstat DD. DIPG in Children - What Can We Learn from the Past? Front Oncol 2015; 5:237. [PMID: 26557503 PMCID: PMC4617108 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2015.00237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Brainstem tumors represent 10–15% of pediatric central nervous system tumors and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the most common brainstem tumor of childhood. DIPG is almost uniformly fatal and is the leading cause of brain tumor-related death in children. To date, radiation therapy (RT) is the only form of treatment that offers a transient benefit in DIPG. Chemotherapeutic strategies including multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, concurrent chemotherapy with RT, and adjuvant chemotherapy have not provided any survival advantage. To overcome the restrictive ability of the intact blood–brain barrier (BBB) in DIPG, several alternative drug delivery strategies have been proposed but have met with minimal success. Targeted therapies either alone or in combination with RT have also not improved survival. Five decades of unsuccessful therapies coupled with recent advances in the genetics and biology of DIPG have taught us several important lessons (1). DIPG is a heterogeneous group of tumors that are biologically distinct from other pediatric and adult high grade gliomas (HGG). Adapting chemotherapy and targeted therapies that are used in pediatric or adult HGG for the treatment of DIPG should be abandoned (2). Biopsy of DIPG is relatively safe and informative and should be considered in the context of multicenter clinical trials (3). DIPG probably represents a whole brain disease so regular neuraxis imaging is important at diagnosis and during therapy (4). BBB permeability is of major concern in DIPG and overcoming this barrier may ensure that drugs reach the tumor (5). Recent development of DIPG tumor models should help us accurately identify and validate therapeutic targets and small molecule inhibitors in the treatment of this deadly tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magimairajan Issai Vanan
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada ; Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba , Winnipeg, MB , Canada
| | - David D Eisenstat
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB , Canada ; Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB , Canada ; Department of Oncology, University of Alberta , Edmonton, AB , Canada
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