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Sharma S, Rana R, Prakash P, Ganguly NK. Drug target therapy and emerging clinical relevance of exosomes in meningeal tumors. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:127-170. [PMID: 37016182 PMCID: PMC10072821 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04715-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Meningioma is the most common central nervous system (CNS) tumor. In recent decades, several efforts have been made to eradicate this disease. Surgery and radiotherapy remain the standard treatment options for these tumors. Drug therapy comes to play its role when both surgery and radiotherapy fail to treat the tumor. This mostly happens when the tumors are close to vital brain structures and are nonbenign. Although a wide variety of chemotherapeutic drugs and molecular targeted drugs such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, alkylating agents, endocrine drugs, interferon, and targeted molecular pathway inhibitors have been studied, the roles of numerous drugs remain unexplored. Recent interest is growing toward studying and engineering exosomes for the treatment of different types of cancer including meningioma. The latest studies have shown the involvement of exosomes in the theragnostic of various cancers such as the lung and pancreas in the form of biomarkers, drug delivery vehicles, and vaccines. Proper attention to this new emerging technology can be a boon in finding the consistent treatment of meningioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060 India
| | - Rashmi Rana
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, 110060 India
| | - Prem Prakash
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062 India
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Shahbandi A, Shah DS, Hadley CC, Patel AJ. The Role of Pharmacotherapy in Treatment of Meningioma: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:483. [PMID: 36672431 PMCID: PMC9856307 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The safety and efficacy of various pharmacotherapeutic regimens on refractory meningiomas have been the focus of investigations. We present a comprehensive review of the previous efforts and the current state of ongoing clinical trials. A PRISMA-compliant review of the MEDLINE and ClinicalTrial.gov databases of the National Library of Medicine were performed. The primary outcomes of interest for included articles were radiographic response, overall survival, progression-free survival, six-month progression-free survival, and adverse events. Overall, 34 completed trials and 27 ongoing clinical trials were eligible. Six-month progression-free survival was reported in 6-100% of patients in the completed studies. Hematological disorders were the most common adverse events. Of the ongoing clinical trials identified, nine studies are phase I clinical trials, eleven are phase II trials, two are phase I and II trials, one is phase II and III, and two trials do not have a designated phase. Currently, there is no effective chemotherapy for refractory or recurrent meningiomas. Several promising targeted agents have been developed and are currently being investigated in the hope of identifying novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ataollah Shahbandi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416634793, Iran
| | - Darsh S. Shah
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Dell Medical School, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Caroline C. Hadley
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Akash J. Patel
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Peng W, Wu P, Yuan M, Yuan B, Zhu L, Zhou J, Li Q. Potential Molecular Mechanisms of Recurrent and Progressive Meningiomas: A Review of the Latest Literature. Front Oncol 2022; 12:850463. [PMID: 35712491 PMCID: PMC9196588 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.850463] [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: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningiomas, the most frequent primary intracranial tumors of the central nervous system in adults, originate from the meninges and meningeal spaces. Surgical resection and adjuvant radiation are considered the preferred treatment options. Although most meningiomas are benign and slow-growing, some patients suffer from tumor recurrence and disease progression, eventually resulting in poorer clinical outcomes, including malignant transformation and death. It is thus crucial to identify these “high-risk” tumors early; this requires an in-depth understanding of the molecular and genetic alterations, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for establishing personalized and precise treatment in the future. Here, we review the most up-to-date knowledge of the cellular biological alterations involved in the progression of meningiomas, including cell proliferation, neo-angiogenesis, inhibition of apoptosis, and immunogenicity. Focused genetic alterations, including chromosomal abnormalities and DNA methylation patterns, are summarized and discussed in detail. We also present latest therapeutic targets and clinical trials for meningiomas' treatment. A further understanding of cellular biological and genetic alterations will provide new prospects for the accurate screening and treatment of recurrent and progressive meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Pei Wu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Minghao Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, The Dazu District People's Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Lian Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiesong Zhou
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Changhai Hospital Affiliated to Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Army Medical Center, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Belanger K, Ung TH, Damek D, Lillehei KO, Ormond DR. Concomitant Temozolomide plus radiotherapy for high-grade and recurrent meningioma: a retrospective chart review. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:367. [PMID: 35392834 PMCID: PMC8988385 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09340-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-grade and recurrent meningiomas are often treatment resistant and pose a therapeutic challenge after surgical and radiation therapy (RT) failure. Temozolomide (TMZ) is a DNA alkylating agent that appears to have a radiosensitizing effect when used in combination with RT and may be worthwhile in meningioma treatment. Thus, we investigated the potential efficacy of concomitant RT plus TMZ compared to historical controls of just RT used in the treatment of high-grade and recurrent meningiomas. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with meningioma treated at the University of Colorado with TMZ chemoradiation. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the start of chemoradiation to local recurrence or death, respectively. Results Eleven patients (12 tumors) were treated with chemoradiation with a median follow-up of 41.5 months. There were two WHO grade 1, eight grade 2 and two grade 3 meningiomas. Three patients died during the follow-up period—one being disease related (11.1%). Two patients had meningioma recurrence—at 2.3 months (WHO grade 3), and 5.4 years (WHO grade 2). Three-year OS and PFS for grade 2 meningiomas were each 88%. Historical controls demonstrate a 3-year median OS and PFS of 83% and 75.8%, respectively. Conclusions Treatment options are limited for meningiomas after local failure. In this study, TMZ chemoradiation demonstrated no significant difference in PFS and OS in the treatment of grade 2 meningiomas compared to historic controls. Further study is warranted to find novel methods for the treatment of malignant and recurrent meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Belanger
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Timothy H Ung
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Denise Damek
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kevin O Lillehei
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - D Ryan Ormond
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA.
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Regression of Intracranial Meningiomas Following Treatment with Cabozantinib. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 28:1537-1543. [PMID: 33919580 PMCID: PMC8167720 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol28020145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent meningiomas remain a substantial treatment challenge given the lack of effective therapeutic options aside from surgery and radiation therapy, which yield limited results in the retreatment situation. Systemic therapies have little effect, and responses are rare; the search for effective systemic therapeutics remains elusive. In this case report, we provide data regarding significant responses in two radiographically diagnosed intracranial meningiomas in a patient with concurrent thyroid carcinoma treated with cabozantinib, an oral multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potent activity against MET and VEGF receptor 2. Given the clinical experience supporting the role of VEGF agents as experimental therapeutics in meningioma and the current understanding of the biological pathways underlying meningioma growth, this may represent a new oral therapeutic alternative, warranting prospective evaluation.
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Weber DC, Bizzocchi N, Bolsi A, Jenkinson MD. Proton Therapy for Intracranial Meningioma for the Treatment of Primary/Recurrent Disease Including Re-Irradiation. Front Oncol 2020; 10:558845. [PMID: 33381447 PMCID: PMC7769250 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.558845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Meningeal tumors represent approximately 10-25% of primary brain tumors and occur usually in elderly female patients. Most meningiomas are benign (80-85%) and for symptomatic and/or large tumors, surgery, with or without radiation therapy (RT), has been long established as an effective means of local tumor control. RT can be delivered to inoperable lesions or to those with non-benign histology and for Simpson I-III and IV-V resection. RT can be delivered with photons or particles (protons or carbon ions) in stereotactic or non-stereotactic conditions. Particle therapy delivered for these tumors uses the physical properties of charged carbon ions or protons to spare normal brain tissue (i.e. Bragg peak), with or without or a dose-escalation paradigm for non-benign lesions. PT can substantially decrease the dose delivered to the non-target brain tissues, including but not limited to the hippocampi, optic apparatus or cochlea. Only a limited number of meningioma patients have been treated with PT in the adjuvant or recurrent setting, as well as for inoperable lesions with pencil beam scanning and with protons only. Approximately 500 patients with image-defined or WHO grade I meningioma have been treated with protons. The reported outcome, usually 5-year local tumor control, ranges from 85 to 99% (median, 96%). For WHO grade II or III patients, the outcome of only 97 patients has been published, reporting a median tumor local control rate of 52% (range, 38-71.1). Only 24 recurring patients treated previously with photon radiotherapy and re-treated with PT were reported. The clinical outcome of these challenging patients seems interesting, provided that they presented initially with benign tumors, are not in the elderly category and have been treated previously with conventional radiation dose of photons. Overall, the number of meningioma patients treated or-re-irradiated with this treatment modality is small and the clinical evidence level is somewhat low (i.e. 3b-5). In this review, we detail the results of upfront PT delivered to patients with meningioma in the adjuvant setting and for inoperable tumors. The outcome of meningioma patients treated with this radiation modality for recurrent tumors, with or without previous RT, will also be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien C Weber
- Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Domain, Villigen, Switzerland.,Radiation Oncology Department, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Radiation Oncology Department, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Bizzocchi
- Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Domain, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Bolsi
- Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institute, ETH Domain, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Michael D Jenkinson
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Occurrence of Fibrotic Tumor Vessels in Grade I Meningiomas Is Strongly Associated with Vessel Density, Expression of VEGF, PlGF, IGFBP-3 and Tumor Recurrence. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103075. [PMID: 33096816 PMCID: PMC7593950 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a key feature during oncogenesis and remains a potential target of antiangiogenic therapy. While commonly described in high-grade lesions, vascularization and its correlation with prognosis in grade I meningiomas is largely unexplored. In the histological classification, not only the number but also the composition of blood vessels seems to be important. Therefore, tumor vessel density and fibrosis were correlated with clinical and imaging variables and prognosis in 295 patients with intracranial grade I meningioma. Expression of pro-angiogenic proteins within the meningiomas was investigated by proteome analyses and further validated by immunohistochemical staining. Fibrotic tumor vessels (FTV) were detected in 48% of all tumors and strongly correlated with vessel density, but not with the histopathological tumor subtype. Occurrence of FTV was correlated with a 2-fold increased risk of recurrence in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Explorative proteome analyses revealed upregulation of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), PlGF (placental growth factor), and IGFBP-3 (insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3) in tumors displaying FTV. Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed strong correlations between tumor vessel fibrosis and expression of VEGF, PlGF, and IGFBP-3. Presence of FTV was strongly associated with disruption of the arachnoid layer on preoperative MRI in univariate and multivariate analyses. In summary, the occurrence of fibrotic tumor vessels in grade I meningiomas is strongly associated with vessel density, disruption of the arachnoid layer, expression of VEGF, PlGF, IGFBP-3 and tumor recurrence.
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Garzon-Muvdi T, Bailey DD, Pernik MN, Pan E. Basis for Immunotherapy for Treatment of Meningiomas. Front Neurol 2020; 11:945. [PMID: 32982948 PMCID: PMC7483661 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Meningiomas are common tumors that account for approximately one third of CNS tumors diagnosed every year. They are classified by the World Health Organization in grades I-III. Higher grades have an increased rate of growth, invasiveness, rate of recurrence, and worse outcomes than lower grades. Most meningiomas are grade I, while ~18% of meningiomas are grade II and III in hospital-based series. Meningiomas are typically "benign" tumors that are treated with surgery and radiation. However, when they recur or are unresectable, treatment options are very limited, especially since they are chemotherapy-resistant. Recent advances in the treatment of cancers with immunotherapy have focused on checkpoint blockade as well as other types of immunotherapy. There is emerging evidence supporting the use of immunotherapy as a potentially effective treatment strategy for meningioma patients. The immune microenvironment of meningiomas is a complex interplay of genetic alterations, immunomodulatory protein expression, and tumor-immune cell interactions. Meningiomas are known to be infiltrated by immune cells including microglia, macrophages, B-cells, and T-cells. Several mechanisms contribute to decreased an ti-tumor immune response, allowing tumor growth and evasion of the immune system. We discuss the most current knowledge on the immune micro-environment of meningiomas, preclinical findings of immunotherapy in meningiomas, meningioma immunotherapy clinical trials, and also offer insight into future prospects for immunotherapies in meningiomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Garzon-Muvdi
- Department of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Destiny D. Bailey
- Department of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Mark N. Pernik
- Department of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Edward Pan
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
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Delgado-López PD, Corrales-García EM. Role of adjuvant radiotherapy in atypical (WHO grade II) and anaplastic (WHO grade III) meningiomas: a systematic review. Clin Transl Oncol 2020; 23:205-221. [DOI: 10.1007/s12094-020-02434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Hong CS, Beckta JM, Kundishora AJ, Elsamadicy AA, Chiang VL. Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy for Treatment of Symptomatic Peritumoral Edema After Radiosurgery for Meningioma. World Neurosurg 2020; 136:295-300. [PMID: 32001396 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.01.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptomatic peritumoral edema (PTE) is a known complication after radiosurgical treatment of meningiomas. Although the edema in most patients can be successfully managed conservatively with corticosteroid therapy or bevacizumab, some medically refractory cases may require surgical resection of the underlying lesion when feasible. Laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT) continues to gain traction as an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of radiation necrosis where its biggest impact is through the control of peritumoral edema. CASE DESCRIPTION A 56-year-old woman with neurofibromatosis 2 presented with a symptomatic, regrowing left frontotemporal lesion that had previously been radiated, then resected with confirmed recurrence of grade I meningioma, and subsequently radiated again for lesion recurrence. Given her history of 2 prior same-side craniotomies, including a complication of wound infection, she was not a candidate for further open surgical resection. Having failed conservative management, she underwent LITT with intraoperative biopsy demonstrating viable grade I meningioma. Postoperatively, she demonstrated radiographic marked, serial reduction of PTE and experienced resolution of her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This case demonstrates that LITT may be a viable alternative treatment for patients with meningioma with symptomatic PTE who have failed medical therapy and require surgical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Hong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jason M Beckta
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Adam J Kundishora
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Aladine A Elsamadicy
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Veronica L Chiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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Long-Term Clinical Outcome of First Recurrence Skull Base Meningiomas. J Clin Med 2019; 9:jcm9010106. [PMID: 31906133 PMCID: PMC7019997 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Skull base meningiomas (SBMs) are considered to be less aggressive and have a slower growth rate than non-SBMs. However, SBMs often develop local recurrences after surgical resection. Gross total removal is difficult because SBMs are deep-seated tumors and involve critical neurovascular structures. The treatment strategy for recurrent SBMs remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the long-term clinical course and prognostic factors associated with shorter progression-free survival (PFS) of recurrent SBMs. This retrospective study included 85 recurrent SBMs from 65 patients who underwent surgery from January 2005 to September 2018. Overall survival (OS) and PFS were evaluated, and the associations among shorter PFS and age, sex, tumor size, lesions, World Health Organization (WHO) grading, removal rate, and time since prior surgery were analyzed. The median follow-up period for PFS was 68 months. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year PFS rates were 68.0%, 52.8%, and 22.7%, respectively. WHO grade II or III, multiple lesions, and tumor size were significantly associated with shorter PFS (p < 0.0001, p = 0.030, and p = 0.173, respectively). Although, radiotherapy did not improve PFS and OS for overall patients, PFS of the patients with subtotal and partial removal for WHO grade II SBMs was significantly improved by the radiotherapy. Multivariate analysis identified WHO grade II or III and multiple lesions as independent prognostic factors for shorter PFS (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.040, respectively). It is essential to estimate the risks associated with shorter PFS for patients with recurrent SBMs to aid in the development of appropriate postoperative strategies.
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Dasanu CA, Alvarez-Argote J, Limonadi FM, Codreanu I. Bevacizumab in refractory higher-grade and atypical meningioma: the current state of affairs. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 19:99-104. [PMID: 30556741 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1559292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Historically, systemic agents had shown limited efficacy in meningioma, at the expense of significant pharmacologic and/or financial toxicity. As meningiomas are highly vascularized, they might derive benefit from antiangiogenic therapy. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the literature regarding bevacizumab pharmacology, safety and efficacy in patients with refractory meningioma. We have searched PubMed/Medline database for pertinent articles published from inception to 1 September 2018. EXPERT COMMENTARY Results of two prospective phase II trials, supported by several retrospective cohorts, suggest a clinical benefit for the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor bevacizumab in meningiomas refractory to surgery and radiation therapy. This agent has a tolerable toxicity profile and seems more effective in higher-grade histologies and atypical meningioma, although responses in low-grade meningiomas have also been documented. Our conclusions are restricted due to a small size and lack of control in the prospective trials as well as the retrospective design of other studies. Further study of bevacizumab in refractory higher-grade meningiomas seems warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin A Dasanu
- a Lucy Curci Cancer Center, Eisenhower Medical Center , Rancho Mirage , CA , USA.,b Department of Oncology , University of California San Diego Health System , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | | | - Farhad M Limonadi
- d Department of Neurosurgery , Eisenhower Medical Center , Rancho Mirage , CA , USA
| | - Ion Codreanu
- e Department of Radiology and Imaging , State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemitanu" , Chisinau , Moldova
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