High-dose methotrexate is beneficial in parenchymal brain masses of uncertain origin suspicious for primary CNS lymphoma

Hepatotoxicity from high-dose methotrexate in primary central nervous system lymphoma

Background

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) is a mainstay of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) treatment. Transient hepatotoxicity from HDMTX has been characterized in pediatric patients but not in adults. We sought to characterize hepatotoxicity in adult PCNSL patients undergoing HDMTX treatment.

Methods

Retrospective study of 65 PCNSL patients treated at the University of Virginia from 02/01/2002 to 04/01/2020 was performed. Hepatotoxicity was defined using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) for adverse events, fifth version. High-grade hepatotoxicity was defined as a bilirubin or aminotransferase CTC grade of 3 or 4. Relationships between clinical factors and hepatotoxicity were assessed with logistic regression.

Results

Most patients (90.8%) had a rise of at least one aminotransferase CTC grade during HDMTX treatment. 46.2% had high-grade hepatotoxicity based on aminotransferase CTC grade. No patients developed high-grade bilirubin CTC grades during chemotherapy. Liver enzyme test values decreased to low CTC grade or normal in 93.8% of patients after the conclusion of HDMTX treatment without treatment regimen changes. Prior ALT elevation (P = .0120) was a statistically significant predictor of high-grade hepatotoxicity during treatment. Prior history of hypertension was associated with increased risk of toxic serum methotrexate levels during any cycle (P = .0036).

Conclusions

Hepatotoxicity develops in the majority of HDMTX-treated PCNSL patients. Transaminase values decreased to low or normal CTC grades in almost all patients after treatment, without modification of MTX dosage. Prior ALT elevation may predict patients' increased hepatotoxicity risk, and hypertension history may be a risk factor for delayed MTX excretion.

The Relevance of Mass Spectrometry Analysis for Personalized Medicine through Its Successful Application in Cancer "Omics"

Mass spectrometry (MS) is an essential analytical technology on which the emerging omics domains; such as genomics; transcriptomics; proteomics and metabolomics; are based. This quantifiable technique allows for the identification of thousands of proteins from cell culture; bodily fluids or tissue using either global or targeted strategies; or detection of biologically active metabolites in ultra amounts. The routine performance of MS technology in the oncological field provides a better understanding of human diseases in terms of pathophysiology; prevention; diagnosis and treatment; as well as development of new biomarkers; drugs targets and therapies. In this review; we argue that the recent; successful advances in MS technologies towards cancer omics studies provides a strong rationale for its implementation in biomedicine as a whole.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma in Japan: changes in clinical features, treatment, and prognosis during 1985-2004

We have conducted nationwide surveys of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) treated since 1985. In the present study, we newly collected data between 2000 and 2004 and investigated changes in clinical features and outcome over time. A total of 739 patients with histologically proven PCNSL under going radiotherapy were analyzed. Seventeen institutions were surveyed, and data on 131 patients were collected. These data were compared with updated data that were previously obtained for 466 patients treated during 1985-1994 and 142 patients treated during 1995-1999. Recent trends toward decrease in male/female ratio, increase in aged patients, and increase in patients with multiple lesions were seen. Regarding treatment, decrease in attempts at surgical tumor removal and increases in use of systemic chemotherapy and methotrexate (MTX)-containing regimens were observed. The median survival time was 18, 29, and 24 months for patients seen during 1985-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2004, respectively, and the respective 5-year survival rates were 15%, 30%, and 30%. In groups seen during 1995-1999 and during 2000-2004, patients who received systemic or MTX-containing chemotherapy had better prognosis than those who did not. Multivariate analysis of all patients seen during 1985-2004 suggested the usefulness of MTX-containing chemotherapy as well as the importance of age, lactate dehydrogenase level, and tumor multiplicity as prognostic factors. Thus, this study revealed several notable changes in clinical features of PCNSL patients. The prognosis improved during the last 10 years. Advantage of radiation plus chemotherapy, especially MTX-containing chemotherapy, over radiation alone was suggested.