1
|
Zhang Y, Zhong C, Ke X, Liu J, Ye Z, Lu L, Deng K, Zhu H, Yao Y. Advances in genetic abnormalities, epigenetic reprogramming, and immune landscape of intracranial germ cell tumors. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:188. [PMID: 38012690 PMCID: PMC10683083 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01682-y] [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] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intracranial germ cell tumors (IGCTs) are a rare subtype of central nervous system neoplasms that predominantly affect young individuals and exhibit a higher incidence in East Asia. IGCTs can be pathologically divided into two main categories: germinomas and non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). Despite the scarcity of this disease, recent advancements in molecular biology techniques have facilitated the discovery of the inherent genetic and molecular characteristics of IGCTs. Somatic mutations that result in the activation of the KIT/RAS/MAPK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, chromosomal instability leading to characteristic changes in chromosomal fragments (notably 12p gain), and potentially diagnostic miRNAs (such as miR-371a-3p) may provide valuable insights for the efficient diagnosis, targeted therapy, and prognosis evaluation of IGCTs. Additionally, transcriptomic and methylomic analyses have provided new perspectives on the intrinsic development of IGCTs, further elucidating their equivalence with GCTs at other sites. The evaluation of the tumor immune landscape may guide prognosis prediction and immunotherapy for IGCT patients. Nevertheless, current research still faces challenges such as the absence of basic laboratory research systems, a single source of large sample research data, and a limited overall volume of research. The incorporation of larger sample sizes, the implementation of more innovative evaluation systems, and the employment of novel experimental methods are urgently required to become the focus of future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chengyi Zhong
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xindi Ke
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jifang Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhang Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lin Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Kan Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Huijuan Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Koh KN, Wong RX, Lee DE, Han JW, Byun HK, Yoon HI, Kim DS, Lyu CJ, Kang HJ, Hong KT, Lee JH, Kim IH, Phi JH, Kim SK, Wong TT, Lee HL, Lai IC, Kang YM, Ra YS, Ahn SD, Im HJ, Looi WS, Low SYY, Tan EEK, Park HJ, Shin SH, Fuji H, Suh CO, Chen YW, Kim JY. Outcomes of intracranial germinoma-A retrospective multinational Asian study on effect of clinical presentation and differential treatment strategies. Neuro Oncol 2021; 24:1389-1399. [PMID: 34935949 PMCID: PMC9340637 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noab295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This multinational study was conducted to report clinical presentations and treatment strategies in patients with intracranial germinomas across selected Asian centers, including failure patterns, risk factors, and outcomes. METHODS A retrospective data collection and analysis of these patients, treated between 1995 and 2015 from eight healthcare institutions across four countries was undertaken. RESULTS From the results, 418 patients were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 8.9 years; 79.9% of the patients were M0, and 87.6% had β-human chorionic gonadotropin values <50 mIU/mL. The 5/10-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 97.2%/96.2% and 89.9%/86.9%, respectively. RFS was predicted by the radiotherapy (RT) field, with focal RT having the worst outcome, whereas chemotherapy usage had no impact on survival. Among patients who received chemotherapy, response to chemotherapy did not predict survival outcomes. In M0 patients, primary basal ganglia tumors predicted a worse RFS. In patients with bifocal tumors, an extended field RT was associated with better outcomes. In multivariable analysis, only RT fields were associated with RFS. In relapsed patients, salvage rates were high at 85.7%. Additionally, patients who received salvage RT had a better outcome (91.6% vs. 66.7%). CONCLUSIONS Survival outcomes of patients with germinoma were excellent. Thus, the focus of treatment for intracranial germinoma should be on survivorship. Further studies are warranted to find the optimal intensity and volume of radiation, including the role of chemotherapy in the survival of patients with intracranial germinomas, considering age, primary tumor location, and extent of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dong-Eun Lee
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jung Woo Han
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwa Kyung Byun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hong In Yoon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Seok Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chuhl Joo Lyu
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoung Jin Kang
- Departments of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Taek Hong
- Departments of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joo Ho Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Il Han Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Phi
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Ki Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tai-Tong Wong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lun Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - I-Chun Lai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Mei Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Young-Shin Ra
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Do Ahn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ho Joon Im
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Wen Shen Looi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sharon Yin Yee Low
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore,Neurosurgical Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Enrica Ee Kar Tan
- Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Service, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hyun Jin Park
- Center for Pediatric Oncology, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Shin
- Neuro-Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea
| | - Hiroshi Fuji
- Department of Radiation Oncology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chang-Ok Suh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Yi-Wei Chen
- Yi-Wei Chen, MD, PhD, Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Sec. 2, Shi-Pai Rd., Taipei 112, Taiwan ()
| | - Joo-Young Kim
- Corresponding Authors: Joo-Young Kim, MD, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Insandong-gu, Goyang, Gyeonggi-do 10408, Korea ()
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Molecular Pathology and Targeted Therapies for Personalized Management of Central Nervous System Germinoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11070661. [PMID: 34357128 PMCID: PMC8306901 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11070661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial germinomas are rare tumours, usually affecting male paediatric patients. They frequently develop in the pineal and suprasellar regions, causing endocrinological disturbances, visual deficits, and increased intracranial pressure. The diagnosis is established on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers, and tumour stereotactic biopsy. Imaging techniques, such as susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), T2* (T2-star) gradient echo (GRE) or arterial spin labelling based perfusion-weighted MRI (ASL-PWI) facilitate the diagnosis. Germinomas are highly radiosensitive tumours, with survival rates >90% in the context of chemoradiotherapy. However, patients with resistant disease have limited therapeutic options and poor survival. The aim of this review is to highlight the genetic, epigenetic, and immunologic features, which could provide the basis for targeted therapy. Intracranial germinomas present genetic and epigenetic alterations (chromosomal aberrations, KIT, MAPK and PI3K pathways mutations, DNA hypomethylation, miRNA dysregulation) that may represent targets for therapy. Tyrosine kinase and mTOR inhibitors warrant further investigation in these cases. Immune markers, PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) and PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1), are expressed in germinomas, representing potential targets for immune checkpoint inhibitors. Resistant cases should benefit from a personalized management: genetic and immunological testing and enrolment in trials evaluating targeted therapies in intracranial germinomas.
Collapse
|