Benefit of ventriculoperitoneal cerebrospinal fluid shunting and intrathecal chemotherapy in neoplastic meningitis: a retrospective, case-controlled study

Patients with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis and Hydrocephalus-Feasibility of Combined Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt and Reservoir Insertion for Intrathecal Chemotherapy

Therapeutic management of patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) may require treatment of concomitant hydrocephalus (HC) in addition to intrathecal chemotherapy (ITC). Ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS) equipped with a valve for manual deactivation of shunt function and a concomitant reservoir for application of ITC pose an elegant solution to both problems. The present study evaluates indication, feasibility, and safety of such a modified shunt/reservoir design (mS/R). All patients with LC aged ≥ 18 years who had undergone mS/R implantation between 2013 and 2020 at the authors' institution were further analyzed. ITC was indicated following the recommendation of the neuro-oncological tumor board and performed according to a standardized protocol. Sixteen patients with LC underwent mS/R implantation for subsequent ITC and concomitant treatment of HC. Regarding HC-related clinical symptoms, 69% of patients preoperatively exhibited lethargy, 38% cognitive impairment, and 38% (additional) visual disturbances. Postoperatively, 86% of patients achieved subjective improvement of HC-related symptoms. Overall, postoperative complications occurred in three patients (19%). No patient encountered cancer treatment-related complications. The present study describes a combination procedure consisting of a standard VPS-system and a standard reservoir for patients suffering from LC and HC. No cancer treatment-related complications occurred, indicating straightforward handling and thus safety.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Updates in Leptomeningeal Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a devastating complication of advanced metastatic cancer associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study reviews the current understanding of the clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of LMD. We highlight opportunities for advances in this disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

In recent years, the use of soluble CSF biomarkers has expanded, suggesting improved sensitivity over traditional cytology, identification of targetable mutations, and potential utility for monitoring disease burden. Recent studies of targeted small molecules and intrathecal based therapies have demonstrated an increase in overall and progression-free survival. In addition, there are several ongoing trials evaluating immunotherapy in LMD. Though overall prognosis of LMD remains poor, studies suggest a potential role for soluble CSF biomarkers in diagnosis and management and demonstrate promising findings in patient outcomes with targeted therapies for specific solid tumors. Despite these advances, there continues to be a gap of knowledge in this disease, emphasizing the importance of inclusion of LMD patients in clinical trials.

Postoperative course of cerebrospinal fluid diversion in the setting of leptomeningeal disease: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression with an illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Management of hydrocephalus symptoms in the setting of leptomeningeal disease (LMD) includes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion, which can in the form of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) and lumboperitoneal shunting (LPS). However, the quantifiable postoperative course following this intervention is poorly defined. Correspondingly the aim of our study was to quantitatively define and analyze the pooled metadata regarding this topic.

METHODS

Multiple electronic databases from inception to March 2023 were searched following PRISMA guidelines. Respective cohort-level outcomes were then abstracted and pooled by means of meta-analyses and analyzed by means meta-regression, both utilizing random-effects modeling. Post-hoc bias evaluation was then performed for all outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 12 studies were identified for inclusion, describing 503 LMD patients managed by CSF diversion - 442 (88%) by VPS and 61 (12%) by LPS. Median male percentage and age at diversion were 32% and 58 years respectively, with lung and breast cancer the most common primary diagnoses. Meta-analysis demonstrated pooled incidence of symptom resolution in 79% (95% CI 68-88%) of patients after index shunt surgery, and shunt revision required in 10% (95% CI 6-15%) of cases. Pooled overall survival from index shunt surgery was 3.8 mo (95% CI 2.9-4.6 mo) across all studies. Meta-regression demonstrated that studies published later trended towards significantly shorter overall survival from index shunt surgery (co-efficient=-0.38, P = 0.023), whereas the proportion of VPS to LPS in each study did not impact survival (P = 0.89). When accounting for these biases, overall survival from index shunt surgery was re-estimated to be shorter 3.1 mo (95% CI 1.7-4.4 mo). We present an illustrative case demonstrating the course of symptom improvement, shunt revision and an overall survival of 2 weeks from index CSF diversion.

CONCLUSION

Although CSF diversion in the setting of LMD can improve hydrocephalus symptoms in the majority of patients, there is a non-negligible proportion that will require shunt revision. Postoperatively, the prognosis of LMD remains poor irrespective of shunt type, and despite possible biases within the current literature, the expected median overall survival after index surgery is a matter of months. These findings support CSF diversion as an effective palliative procedure when considering symptoms and quality of life. Further research is required to understand how postoperative expectations can be managed to respect the best wishes of patients, their family, and the treating clinical team.

Genomic Instability in Cerebrospinal Fluid Cell-Free DNA Predicts Poor Prognosis in Solid Tumor Patients with Meningeal Metastasis

Simple Summary

We established a genomic instability score using unfiltered sequencing data from meningeal metastasis (MM) cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) samples and found that substantial genomic instability (GI) was present in cerebrospinal fluid ctDNA rather than plasma ctDNA, implying that MM lesions have a significantly increased GI status compared to primary tumors or extracranial metastatic lesions, which may suggest tumor clonal evolution. We also found that high GI status was an independent poor prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma MM patients, including meningeal metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS). Considering that genomically unstable tumors are more sensitive to PARP inhibitors, targeting GI alone or in combination with conventional therapy may be a promising treatment strategy for solid tumor patients with MM.

Abstract

Genomic instability (GI), which leads to the accumulation of DNA loss, gain, and rearrangement, is a hallmark of many cancers such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. However, the clinical significance of GI has not been systematically studied in the meningeal metastasis (MM) of solid tumors. Here, we collected both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples from 56 solid tumor MM patients and isolated cell-free ctDNA to investigate the GI status using a next-generation sequencing-based comprehensive genomic profiling of 543 cancer-related genes. According to the unfiltered heterozygous mutation data-derived GI score, we found that 37 (66.1%) cases of CSF and 3 cases (6%) of plasma had a high GI status, which was further validated by low-depth whole-genome sequencing analysis. It is demonstrated that a high GI status in CSF was associated with poor prognosis, high intracranial pressure, and low Karnofsky performance status scores. More notably, a high GI status was an independent poor prognostic factor of poor MM-free survival and overall survival in lung adenocarcinoma MM patients. Furthermore, high occurrences of the co-mutation of TP53/EGFR, TP53/RB1, TP53/ERBB2, and TP53/KMT2C were found in MM patients with a high GI status. In summary, the GI status in CSF ctDNA might be a valuable prognostic indicator in solid tumor patients with MM.

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis and breast cancer: a systematic review of current evidence on diagnosis, treatment and prognosis

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a rare but challenging manifestation of advanced breast cancer with a severe impact on morbidity and mortality. We performed a systematic review of the evidence published over the last two decades, focusing on recent advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic options of LC. Lobular histology and a triple-negative intrinsic subtype are well-known risk factors for LC. Clinical manifestations are diverse and often aspecific. There is no gold standard for LC diagnosis: MRI and cerebrospinal fluid cytology are the most frequently used modalities despite the low accuracy. Current standard of care involves a multimodal strategy including systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy in combination with brain radiotherapy. Intrathecal chemotherapy has been widely used through the years despite the lack of data from randomized controlled trials and conflicting evidence on patient outcomes. No specific chemotherapeutic agent has shown superiority over others for both intrathecal and systemic treatment. Although endocrine therapy was heuristically considered unable to exert significant control on central nervous system metastatic disease, retrospective data suggest a favourable toxicity profile and even a possible positive impact on survival. In recent years, encouraging data on the use of targeted agents has emerged but further research in this field is required. Palliative treatment in the form of whole brain or stereotactic radiotherapy is associated with improvement in clinical manifestations and quality of life, with no proven impact on survival. The most investigated prognostic factors include performance status, non-triple-negative disease and multimodal treatment. Validation of prognostic scores is necessary to aid clinicians in the identification of patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from an intensive therapeutic approach.

The evolving role of neurosurgery for central nervous system metastases in the era of personalized cancer therapy

Recent therapeutic advances involving the use of systemic targeted treatments and immunotherapeutic agents in patients with advanced cancers have translated into improved survival rates. Despite the emergence of such promising pharmacological therapies and extended survival, the frequency of metastases in the central nervous system has steadily increased. Effective medical and surgical therapies are available for many patients with brain metastases and need to be incorporated into multi-disciplinary care protocols. The role of neurosurgeons is evolving within these multi-disciplinary care teams. Surgical resection of brain metastases can provide immediate relief from neurological symptoms due to large lesions and provides the histopathological diagnosis in cases of no known primary malignancy. In situations where immunotherapy is part of the oncological treatment plan, surgery may be proposed for expeditious relief of edema to remove the need for steroids. In patients with multiple brain metastases and mixed response to therapeutics or radiosurgery, tumour resampling allows tissue analysis for druggable targets or to distinguish radiation effects from progression. Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting may improve quality of life in patients with hydrocephalus associated with leptomeningeal tumour dissemination and may allow for time to administer more therapy thus prolonging overall survival. Addressing the limited efficacy of many oncological drugs for brain metastases due to insufficient blood-brain barrier penetrance, clinical trial protocols in which surgical specimens are analysed after pre-surgical administration of therapeutics offer pharmacodynamic insights. Comprehensive neurosurgical assessment remains an integral element of multi-disciplinary oncological care of patients with brain metastases and is integral to tumour biology research and therapeutic advancement.

Autocrine GM-CSF signaling contributes to growth of HER2+ breast leptomeningeal carcinomatosis

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) occurs when tumor cells spread to the cerebrospinal fluid-containing leptomeninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. LC is an ominous complication of cancer with a dire prognosis. Although any malignancy can spread to the leptomeninges, breast cancer, particularly the HER2+ subtype, is its most common origin. HER2+ breast LC (HER2+ LC) remains incurable, with few treatment options, and the molecular mechanisms underlying proliferation of HER2+ breast cancer cells in the acellular, protein, and cytokine-poor leptomeningeal environment remain elusive. Therefore, we sought to characterize signaling pathways that drive HER2+ LC development as well as those that restrict its growth to leptomeninges. Primary HER2+ LC patient-derived ("Lepto") cell lines in co-culture with various central nervous system (CNS) cell types revealed that oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC), the largest population of dividing cells in the CNS, inhibited HER2+ LC growth in vitro and in vivo, thereby limiting the spread of HER2+ LC beyond the leptomeninges. Cytokine array-based analyses identified Lepto cell-secreted granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as an oncogenic autocrine driver of HER2+ LC growth. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based analyses revealed that the OPC-derived protein TPP1 proteolytically degrades GM-CSF, decreasing GM-CSF signaling and leading to suppression of HER2+ LC growth and limiting its spread. Lastly, intrathecal delivery of neutralizing anti-GM-CSF antibodies and a pan-Aurora kinase inhibitor (CCT137690) synergistically inhibited GM-CSF and suppressed activity of GM-CSF effectors, reducing HER2+ LC growth in vivo. Thus, OPC suppress GM-CSF-driven growth of HER2+ LC in the leptomeningeal environment, providing a potential targetable axis.

Leptomeningeal disease in melanoma patients: An update to treatment, challenges, and future directions

In February 2018, the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Moffitt Cancer Center hosted the Second Summit on Melanoma Central Nervous System Metastases in Tampa, Florida. The meeting included investigators from multiple academic centers and disciplines. A consensus summary of the progress and challenges in melanoma parenchymal brain metastases was published (Eroglu et al., Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research, 2019, 32, 458). Here, we will describe the current state of basic, translational, clinical research, and therapeutic management, for melanoma patients with leptomeningeal disease. We also outline key challenges and barriers to be overcome to make progress in this deadly disease.

A Case of Meningeal Carcinomatosis Due to Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma That Developed Severe Visual Impairment with Papillary Swelling

Purpose

To report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis by metastasis of signet-ring cell carcinoma resulting in severe visual impairment.

Case Presentation

A 49-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of blurred vision in his left eye since 2 months ago. There was no particular history. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 25/20 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. Papillary swelling in both eyes and disc hemorrhage in the left eye were observed. Gradually, the frequency of dizziness increased, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested ventricular enlargement, infiltration around the optic nerve, and meningeal carcinomatosis. Increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure was found, and metastatic adenocarcinoma cells were observed by cerebrospinal fluid cytology. A gastroduodenal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells. Visual acuity at the final visit was 4/200 in both eyes.

Conclusion

If papillary swelling is observed in both eyes, meningeal carcinomatosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Modern Management of Central Nervous System Metastases in the Era of Targeted Therapy and Immune Oncology

Metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. Historically, very few systemic therapies have shown efficacy in this patient population. Emerging data are now demonstrating that whole-brain radiation therapy, previously considered the mainstay of treatment of brain metastases, is associated with high rates of neurotoxicity. In this new era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, clinical outcomes are improving, and patients are living longer. Despite these improvements, there is an urgent need to design central nervous system-penetrant compounds that target the genetic mutations enriched in brain metastases and to bring these to clinical trials.

Clinical outcome of cerebrospinal fluid shunts in patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis

Background

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) is frequently associated with hydrocephalus, which quickly devastates the performance of the patient. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt is a widely accepted treatment of choice, but the clinical outcomes in patients with LMC are not well studied. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of a CSF shunt in patients with LMC.

Methods

Seventy patients with LMC confirmed by cytology or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) underwent ventriculoperitoneal (VP) or lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt surgery. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients, symptom improvement after the shunt, rate of complications associated with the surgery, and overall survival.

Results

Fifty-five patients had systemic cancer as a preceding disease, including lung cancer (45), breast cancer (6), and others (4). Primary brain tumors were mainly glioma (7) and medulloblastoma (5). Fifty-one patients had VP shunt, and 19 had LP shunt. After surgery, preoperative symptoms “improved” in 35 patients (50%) and were “normalized” in 24 of those patients (34%). Shunt malfunction occurred in eight patients, and infection occurred in eight patients. Seventeen patients underwent revision due to infection, shunt malfunction, or over-drainage. There were no complications associated with peritoneal seeding during a median follow-up of 3.3 months after surgery. The median overall survival was 8.7 months (95% confidence interval, 6.0–11.4) from LMC diagnosis and 4.1 months from shunt surgery.

Conclusion

VP or LP shunt is effective for patients with hydrocephalus from LMC in terms of symptom improvement and prolonging of overall survival with an acceptable rate of procedure-related complications.

Trial registration

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the National Cancer Center (retrospectively registered, NCC2018-0051).

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in patients with breast cancer

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is defined as infiltration of the leptomeninges by metastatic carcinoma, a relatively uncommon but devastating complication of many malignancies. Although only 5% of patients with breast cancer develop leptomeningeal involvement, it remains the most common etiology of LC. It can occur as a late-stage complication of systemic progression or present as the first sign of metastatic disease, with or without parenchymal brain metastases. Lobular carcinomas have a higher propensity to metastasize into the meninges when compared to ductal carcinoma, especially the triple-negative subtype, which usually is associated with a shorter interval between metastatic breast cancer diagnosis and the development of LC. Prognosis remains poor, with median survival of 4 months for patients receiving state-of-the-art treatment. The main factors associated with survival are performance status at diagnosis, CSF protein level and triple-negative subtype. Headache is commonly the first clinical presentation of LC, and the diagnostic workup usually requires CSF-cytological analysis and or/MRI. The current management of LC consists of a combination of intra-CSF chemotherapy, systemic therapy, radiotherapy and/or best-supportive care. The standard intra-CSF chemotherapy regimen is methotrexate. Radiotherapy is used for relieving obstruction points on CSF-outflow channels due to ependymal nodules, tumor deposits or bulky disease. Objective responses have been reported with intrathecal administration of trastuzumab for HER2-positive disease, yet this strategy is still under investigation. Further prospective trials are needed to better address the impact of these treatment modalities on overall survival and quality of life.

Palliative cerebrospinal fluid shunting for leptomeningeal metastasis-related hydrocephalus in patients with lung adenocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study

PURPOSE

Management of leptomeningeal metastasis-related hydrocephalus (LM-H) is particularly challenging regarding the control of severe headache, nausea, and vomiting due to intracranial hypertension. To investigate the improvements of performance status and outcome with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt surgery for LM-H in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

Data on patients with leptomeningeal metastasis-related hydrocephalus from lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed by MR imaging and/or cytological examination were retrospectively analyzed. Between August 2008 and July 2017, the authors reviewed 31 patients requiring CSF shunt, who underwent ventriculo-peritoneal or lumbo-peritoneal shunt.

RESULTS

The patients consisted of 11 men and 20 women with a median age of 59 years. Twenty-six patients received EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). CSF shunt surgery yielded rapid improvement in the performance status of 90.3% of patients. Median overall survival from the diagnosis of LM in patients with ECOG performance status less than 2 was 7.7 months, and this was significantly longer than those in patients with PS 3 or 4 (4.4 or 1.5 months; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis by Cox regression revealed survival differences according to PS at diagnosis of LM [PS 1-3 vs. PS4, hazard ratio (HR) 0.201, p = 0.034], controlled extracranial disease (HR 0.248, p = 0.005), and post-shunt EGFR-TKI for LM treatment (HR 0.193, p = 0.008). Postoperative symptomatic peritoneal carcinomatosis was observed in one patient (3.2%).

CONCLUSION

CSF shunting may be a safe and effective strategy in patients with LM-H from lung adenocarcinoma. A prospective study is needed to establish the effectiveness and safety of palliative CSF shunt for LM-H.

Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts Equipped with On-Off Valves for Intraventricular Therapies in Patients with Communicating Hydrocephalus due to Leptomeningeal Metastases

Ventriculoperitoneal shunts equipped with a reservoir and a valve to manually switch off the shunt function can be used for intraventricular injections of therapeutics in patients suffering from a communicating hydrocephalus caused by leptomeningeal metastases. These shunt devices avoid the risk of injecting therapeutics through the distal leg of the shunt system into the intraperitoneal space, which may cause toxicity. Furthermore, regular intraventricular injections of chemotherapeutics help to maintain sufficient concentrations in the ventricular space. Therefore, ventriculoperitoneal shunts equipped with an on-off valve are a useful tool to reliably inject chemotherapeutics into the ventricles. In order to systematically assess feasibility, safety, and efficacy of this procedure, we performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with leptomeningeal metastases who had received a shunt system at our institution. In total, six adult patients had a ventriculoperitoneal shunt equipped with an on-off valve implanted. Out of these six patients, two patients subsequently received intraventricular injections of chemotherapeutics. The configuration of the valve setting and the intraventricular injections were easily feasible in the setting of a neuro-oncology department. The complication of a shunt leakage occurred in one patient following the first intraventricular injection. No extra-central nervous system (CNS) toxicities were observed. In summary, ventriculoperitoneal shunts with on-off valves are useful tools for reliable intraventricular administration of therapeutics.

Leptomeningeal metastasis

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) results from dissemination of cancer cells to both the leptomeninges (pia and arachnoid) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma are the most common solid tumors that cause LM. Recent approval of more active anticancer therapies has resulted in improvement in survival that is partly responsible for an increased incidence of LM. Neurologic deficits, once manifest, are mostly irreversible, and often have a significant impact on patient quality of life. LM-directed therapy is based on symptom palliation, circumscribed use of neurosurgery, limited field radiotherapy, intra-CSF and systemic therapies. Novel methods of detecting LM include detection of CSF circulating tumor cells and tumor cell-free DNA. A recent international guideline for a standardization of response assessment in LM may improve cross-trial comparisons as well as within-trial evaluation of treatment. An increasing number of retrospective studies suggest that molecular-targeted therapy, such as EGFR and ALK inhibitors in lung cancer, trastuzumab in HER2+ breast cancer, and BRAF inhibitors in melanoma, may be effective as part of the multidisciplinary management of LM. Prospective randomized trials with standardized response assessment are needed to further validate these preliminary findings.

Leptomeningeal metastasis from systemic cancer: Review and update on management

Leptomeningeal metastasis is an uncommon and typically late complication of cancer with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Diagnosis is often challenging, with nonspecific presenting symptoms ranging from headache and confusion to focal neurologic deficits, such as cranial nerve palsies. Standard diagnostic evaluation involves a neurologic examination, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine with gadolinium, and cytologic evaluation of the cerebral spinal fluid. Therapy entails a multimodal approach focused on palliation with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy, which may be administered systemically or directly into the cerebral spinal fluid. Limited trial data exist to guide treatment, and current regimens are based primarily on expert opinion. Although newer targeted and immunotherapeutic agents are under investigation and have shown promise, an improved understanding of the biology of leptomeningeal metastasis and treatment resistance as well as additional randomized controlled studies are needed to guide the optimal treatment of this devastating disease. Cancer 2018;124:21-35. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Most common sites on MRI of intracranial neoplastic leptomeningeal disease

Neoplastic leptomeningeal disease (LMD) represents infiltration of the leptomeninges by tumor cells. Knowledge of the frequencies of locations of LMD on MRI may assist in early detection, help elucidate the process of leptomeningeal spread of cancer and understand how LMD affects the central nervous system. Our goal was to identify intracranial sites of neoplastic LMD predilection on MRI in patients with cytologically-proven LMD. The presence of FLAIR signal hyperintensity and T1-weighted post-contrast enhancement in the sulci of the supratentorial compartment and cerebellum and enhancement of the cranial nerves (CNs), basal cisterns, pituitary stalk, and ependymal surface of the lateral ventricles, as well as the presence of parenchymal metastasis were recorded. Within each imaging sequence, sites were ordered by prevalence and compared using McNemar's test. The study included 270 patients. Positive MRI findings were present in 185/270 (68.5%) patients. FLAIR signal hyperintensity was significantly more common (p≤0.003) in the cerebellum (n=96) and occipital lobe (n=92) relative to the other lobes. Leptomeningeal enhancement was also significantly more common (p≤0.009) in the cerebellum (n=82) and occipital lobe (n=67) relative to the other lobes. Enhancement was most commonly found involving CN VII/VIII and the ependymal surface of the lateral ventricles compared to other sites. Parenchymal metastases were present in 110 (40.1%) of the patients. In conclusion, neoplastic LMD predominantly involves the cerebellum and occipital lobes, CN VII/VIII, and the ependymal lining of the lateral ventricles. Parenchymal metastases are frequently present in patients with neoplastic LMD.

Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in Gastric Cancer: A Therapeutical Challenge

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC) is a rare and mainly secondary site of metastasis in solid tumors. In gastric cancer (GC), it is associated with a devastating prognosis, lacking an efficient and standardized treatment approach. We report a case of primary manifestation of LC due to metastatic GC with rapid deterioration and refractory course to conventional and intrathecal chemotherapy. We review the literature and discuss the therapeutic challenges.

Leptomeningeal metastasis in breast cancer - a systematic review

Background

There is limited data on the impact of specific patient characteristics, tumor subtypes or treatment interventions on survival in breast cancer LM.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted to assess the impact of hormone receptor and HER-2 status on survival in breast cancer LM. A search for clinical studies published between 1/1/2007 and 7/1/2012 and all randomized-controlled trials was performed. Survival data from all studies are reported by study design (prospective trials, retrospective cohort studies, case studies).

Results

A total of 36 studies with 851 LM breast cancer subjects were identified. The majority (87%) were treated with intrathecal chemotherapy. Pooled median overall survival ranged from 14.9-18.1 weeks depending on study type. Breast cancer LM survival (15 weeks) was longer than other solid tumor LM 8.3 weeks and lung cancer LM 8.7 weeks, but shorter than LM lymphoma (15.4 versus 24.2 weeks). The impact of hormone receptor and HER-2 status on survival could not be determined.

Conclusions

A median overall survival of 15 weeks in prospective studies of breast cancer LM provides a historical comparison for future LM breast cancer trials. Other outcomes including the impact of molecular status on survival could not be determined based on available studies.

Optimal Management of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis in Breast Cancer Patients-A Systematic Review

The incidence of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in breast cancer patients (LC-BC) is increasing. Despite significantly affecting patient quality of life (QoL) and overall survival (OS), little is known about its optimal management. A systematic review of treatment strategies for LC-BC was performed. EMBASE, Ovid Medline, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from 1946 to 2015 for trials reporting on treatments for LC-BC. All treatment modalities and study types were considered. The outcome measures of interest included OS, time to neurologic progression (TTNP), QoL, and treatment toxicity. Of 718 unique citations, 173 studies met the prespecified eligibility criteria. Most were not specific to LC-BC patients. Of 4 identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 1 was specific to LC-BC patients and compared systemic therapy and involved-field radiotherapy with or without intrathecal (IT) methotrexate (35 patients), and the remaining 3 had compared different IT chemotherapy regimens (58 of 157 with LC-BC). Of the remaining studies, 19 were nonrandomized interventional studies (225 LC-BC patients), 148 were observational studies (3230 LC-BC patients), and 2 systematic reviews. Minimal prospective data were available on OS, TTNP, QoL, and toxicity. Owing to study heterogeneity, meta-analyses of the endpoint data could not be performed. Limited high-quality evidence exists regarding optimal treatment of LC-BC. The identified studies were heterogeneous and often methodologically poor. The only RCT that specifically assessed the role of IT chemotherapy showed no benefit, and, if anything, harm. Further prospective, tumor-specific trials with improved interstudy methodologic consistency and transparently reported data on OS, TTNP, QoL, and toxicity are urgently needed.

[Research progress of lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis]

脑膜转移是肺癌最严重的并发症之一，患者预后极差。脑膜转移患者临床表现缺乏特异性，主要表现为脑、脑神经、脊神经受累症状。目前诊断主要依据肿瘤病史、临床症状、增强核磁共振（magnetic resnance image, MRI）扫描和脑脊液细胞学检查。近年来新的检测方式在临床上不断涌现，明显提高了脑膜转移的早期发现率，但肺癌脑膜转移的综合治疗疗效仍不令人满意。本文就肺癌脑膜转移的病理生理、临床表现、诊断方法及治疗疗效的研究进展做一综述。

Role of ventriculoperitoneal shunting in patients with neoplasms of the central nervous system: An analysis of 59 cases

Approximately 1-5% of patients with cerebral metastasis and ~40% of patients with primary brain tumors suffer from hydrocephalus. These patients often exhibit a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to reassess the validity of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) with the assistance of the general surgeon in oncological patients. A total of 59 patients underwent first-time VPS at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (Boston, USA) between 2004 and 2012; 40 patients had hydrocephalus from brain metastasis and 19 from primary tumors. The analyzed independent variables included demographics, body mass index, past medical history, clinical presentation, indication for surgery, Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score and surgical technique; the dependent variables were postoperative symptoms and occurrence, cause and time of shunt failure. The outcomes were analyzed with the t-test and Kaplan-Meier estimates for shunt survival. The mean age of the patients was 57.2 years and the mean operative time was 50.4 min. Symptomatic palliation was achieved in 93% of the cases; patients with severe symptoms, such as debilitating headaches, nausea and vomiting, benefited significantly from VPS. The mean follow-up time was 6.3 months; complications occurred in only 7 patients (11.8%) during follow-up: 2 in the proximal shunt (1 infection and 1 obstruction), both requiring revision, 1 infection in the distal catheter requiring shunt removal, 2 cases of intracerebral bleeding that were monitored with computed tomography scans, 1 wound infection treated with antibiotics and 1 valve complication that required temporary revision. The initial and 3-month KPS scores were 65±16.4 and 75±16.0, respectively. The mean overall shunt survival was 6.4 months (range, 1.0 day-76.0 months) from the placement of the VP shunt. At 3 months after VPS, 93.5% of the patients remained alive with functioning shunts and at 1 year 87% of the shunts were still functioning. In conclusion, VPS remains a valid option for cancer patients with low KPS, as it improves the quality of life in such patients, even in the setting of previous infection, hemorrhage, or leptomeningeal disease, since shunt patency outlasts the overall survival of nearly all patients.

Development of the Metronomic Biofeedback Pump for leptomeningeal carcinomatosis: technical note

Patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis face a particularly grim prognosis. Current treatment consists of intrathecal delivery of methotrexate (MTX) or cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) via Ommaya reservoir or lumbar puncture. Yet despite these interventions, the median survival after diagnosis is only 4–7 months. To address inherent shortcomings of current treatments and provide a more effective therapeutic approach, the Pharmaco-Kinesis Corporation has developed a novel type of implantable pump capable of delivering intrathecal chemotherapy (i.e., MTX) in a metronomic fashion with electronic feedback. The Metronomic Biofeedback Pump (MBP) consists of 3 components: 1) a 2-lumen catheter; 2) a microfluidic delivery pump with 2 reservoirs; and 3) a spectrophotometer monitoring MTX concentrations in the CSF. Using an animal model of intraventricular drug delivery, the authors demonstrate that the MBP can reliably deliver volumes of 500 μl/min, consistently measure real-time intrathecal MTX concentrations via CSF aspiration, and provide biofeedback with the possibility of instant control and delivery adjustments. Therefore, this novel approach to chemotherapy minimizes toxic drug levels and ensures continuous exposure at precisely adjusted, individualized therapeutic levels. Altogether, application of the MBP is expected to increase survival of patients with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, and appropriate Phase I and II trials are pending.

Leptomeningeal Metastases in Solid Tumors

BACKGROUND: Leptomeningeal metastases are diagnosed in 1% to 8% of patients with cancer. The most common histology is leukaemia, lymphoma, breast carcinoma, lung carcinoma and melanoma. The aim of this study is to show the appearance of leptomeningeal metastases in lung and breast cancer with specific biological features.AIM: The study is a review of two cases - breast and lung carcinoma with specific biological features who eventually have developed leptomeningeal metastases.CASE PRESENTATION: Although CNS metastasis most commonly occurs in those with known systemic metastases, our patient had biological indolent disease (nor hormone negative or HER 2 positive and no metastatic disease) and still LM did occur. LM remains a devastating complication of cancer with classic presentation with multifocal neurologic signs and symptoms (like the case with lung cancer), but many patients also have evidence of impaired CSF flow, and hydrocephalus may be the only presenting manifestation of LM.CONCLUSION: The prognostic factors associated with survival in patients with LM metastasis are not certain as well as right treatment for these patients which is still a big challenge. Due to the lack of randomized studies and especially of studies referring to one specific primary tumor, there is currently no generally accepted standard of care in the treatment of LM metastases.

Use of a stop-flow programmable shunt valve to maximize CNS chemotherapy delivery in a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND

The requirement for frequent intraventricular drug delivery in the setting of shunt dependence is particularly challenging in the treatment of central nervous system infection, neoplastic disease, and hemorrhage. This is especially relevant in the pediatric population where both hematogenous malignancy requiring intrathecal drug delivery and shunt-dependent hydrocephalus are more prevalent. Intrathecal and intraventricular chemotherapy agents can be prematurely diverted in these shunt-dependent patients.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report the use of a stop-flow programmable shunt valve to maximize delivery of intraventricular chemotherapy in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation who presented with spontaneous intracerebral and intraventricular hemorrhages. The patient then developed posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and eventually progressed to shunt dependence but still required frequent intraventricular chemotherapy administration. A ventriculoperitoneal shunt, equipped with a valve that allows for near cessation of cerebrospinal fluid flow (Certas(®), Codman, Raynham, MA), and a contralateral Ommaya reservoir were inserted to maximize intraventricular dissemination of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of the use of a high-resistance programmable valve being used to virtually cease cerebrospinal fluid flow through the distal catheter temporarily in order to maximize intraventricular drug dissemination in a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Leptomeningeal metastasis: a Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology critical review of endpoints and response criteria of published randomized clinical trials

PURPOSE

To date, response criteria and optimal methods for assessment of outcome have not been standardized in patients with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM).

METHODS

A Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology working group of experts in LM critically reviewed published literature regarding randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and trial design in patients with LM.

RESULTS

A literature review determined that 6 RCTs regarding the treatment of LM have been published, all of which assessed the response to intra-CSF based chemotherapy. Amongst these RCTs, only a single trial attempted to determine whether intra-CSF chemotherapy was of benefit compared with systemic therapy. Otherwise, this pragmatic question has not been formally addressed in patients with solid cancers and LM. The methodology of the 6 RCTs varied widely with respect to pretreatment evaluation, type of treatment, and response to treatment. Additionally there was little uniformity in reporting of treatment-related toxicity. One RCT suggests no advantage of combined versus single-agent intra-CSF chemotherapy in patients with LM. No specific intra-CSF regimen has shown superior efficacy in the treatment of LM, with the exception of liposomal cytarabine in patients with lymphomatous meningitis. Problematic with all RCTs is the lack of standardization with respect to response criteria. There was considerable variation in definitions of response by clinical examination, neuroimaging, and CSF analysis.

CONCLUSION

Based upon a review of published RCTs in LM, there exists a significant unmet need for guidelines for evaluating patients with LM in clinical practice as well as for response assessment in clinical trials.

Concurrent intrathecal methotrexate and liposomal cytarabine for leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumors: a retrospective cohort study

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from solid tumors is typically a late manifestation of systemic cancer with limited survival. Randomized trials comparing single agent intrathecal methotrexate to liposomal cytarabine have shown similar efficacy and tolerability. We hypothesized that combination intrathecal chemotherapy would be a safe and tolerable option in solid tumor LM. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of combination IT chemotherapy in solid tumor LM at a single institution between April 2010 and July 2012. In addition to therapies directed at active systemic disease, each subject received IT liposomal cytarabine plus IT methotrexate with dexamethasone premedication. Patient characteristics, survival outcomes and toxicities were determined by systematic chart review. Thirty subjects were treated during the study period. The most common cancer types were breast 15 (50 %), glioblastoma 6 (20 %), and lung 5 (17 %). Cytologic clearance was achieved in 6 (33 %). Median non-glioblastoma overall survival was 30.2 weeks (n = 18; range 3.9-73.4), and did not differ significantly by tumor type. Median time to neurologic progression was 7 weeks (n = 8; range 0.9-57), with 10 subjects (56 %) experiencing death from systemic disease without progression of LM. Age less than 60 was associated with longer overall survival (p = 0.01). Six (21 %) experienced grade III toxicities during treatment, most commonly meningitis 2 (7 %). Combination IT chemotherapy was feasible in this small retrospective cohort. Prospective evaluation is necessary to determine tolerability, the impact on quality of life and neurocognitive outcomes or any survival benefit when compared to single agent IT chemotherapy.

Case-control studies in neurosurgery

OBJECT

Observational studies, such as cohort and case-control studies, are valuable instruments in evidence-based medicine. Case-control studies, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular in the neurosurgical literature due to their low cost and relative ease of execution; however, no one has yet systematically assessed these types of studies for quality in methodology and reporting.

METHODS

The authors performed a literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE to identify all studies that explicitly identified themselves as "case-control" and were published in the JNS Publishing Group journals (Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, and Neurosurgical Focus) or Neurosurgery. Each paper was evaluated for 22 descriptive variables and then categorized as having either met or missed the basic definition of a case-control study. All studies that evaluated risk factors for a well-defined outcome were considered true case-control studies. The authors sought to identify key features or phrases that were or were not predictive of a true case-control study. Those papers that satisfied the definition were further evaluated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.

RESULTS

The search detected 67 papers that met the inclusion criteria, of which 32 (48%) represented true case-control studies. The frequency of true case-control studies has not changed with time. Use of odds ratios (ORs) and logistic regression (LR) analysis were strong positive predictors of true case-control studies (for odds ratios, OR 15.33 and 95% CI 4.52-51.97; for logistic regression analysis, OR 8.77 and 95% CI 2.69-28.56). Conversely, negative predictors included focus on a procedure/intervention (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.998) and use of the word "outcome" in the Results section (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.082-0.65). After exclusion of nested case-control studies, the negative correlation between focus on a procedure/intervention and true case-control studies was strengthened (OR 0.053, 95% CI 0.0064-0.44). There was a trend toward a negative association between the use of survival analysis or Kaplan-Meier curves and true case-control studies (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.015-1.12). True case-control studies were no more likely than their counterparts to use a potential study design "expert" (OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.57-3.95). The overall average STROBE score was 72% (range 50-86%). Examples of reporting deficiencies were reporting of bias (28%), missing data (55%), and funding (44%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this analysis show that the majority of studies in the neurosurgical literature that identify themselves as "case-control" studies are, in fact, labeled incorrectly. Positive and negative predictors were identified. The authors provide several recommendations that may reverse the incorrect and inappropriate use of the term "case-control" and improve the quality of design and reporting of true case-control studies in neurosurgery.

Neurologic complications of lung cancer

Neurologic complications of lung cancer are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality. Tumor metastasis to the brain parenchyma is the single most common neurologic complication of lung cancer, of any histologic subtype. The goal of radiation therapy and in some cases surgical resection for patients with brain metastases is to improve or maintain neurologic function, and to achieve local control of the brain lesion(s). Metastasis of lung cancer to the spinal epidural space requires urgent evaluation and treatment. Early diagnosis and modern surgical and radiotherapy techniques improve neurologic outcome for most patients. Leptomeningeal metastasis is a less common but ominous occurrence in patients with lung cancer. Lung carcinomas can also occasionally metastasize to the brachial plexus, skull base, dura, or pituitary. Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are uncommon but important complications of lung carcinoma, and are generally the presenting feature of the tumor. Paraneoplastic disorders are believed to be caused by an autoimmune humoral or cellular attack against shared "onconeural" antigens. The most frequent paraneoplastic disorders in patients with lung cancer are Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, and multifocal paraneoplastic encephalomyelitis, both mainly occurring in association with small-cell lung carcinoma. There is a variety of other paraneoplastic disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Some affected patients have a good neurologic outcome, while others are left with severe permanent neurologic disability.

[Treatment of the leptomeningeal metastases related to solid tumors]

The incidence of metastases of the central nervous system (CNS) is increasing, due to the improvement of the overall survival of cancer patients. Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are now more often identified, although the criteria used for the diagnosis and monitoring remains inadequate. LM should be diagnosed at an early stage of the disease before the setting of neurological deficits, in order to improve the quality of life of patients. Therapeutic indications remain difficult, though some criteria have been proposed. Prolonged survivals have been reported even in the presence of identified poor prognostic factors at the time of the diagnosis of LM. The median survival of untreated patients is 4 to 6 weeks. Specific treatment may prolong survival by several months. Only six randomized studies are available. All theses studies have limitations due to the difficulty of including these patients in homogeneous trials, with a good methodology and for a time acceptable to the patient enrolment. The treatment requires a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapies administrated systemically or via intra-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) route, surgery and radiotherapy. Patient management is specific but requires a multidisciplinary approach, which may vary according to the characteristics of meningeal disease, the characteristics of primary tumors, the general condition of patients and previous lines of treatments. Our objective was to describe the current management of LM of solid tumors.

Carcinomatous meningitis: Leptomeningeal metastases in solid tumors

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) results from metastatic spread of cancer to the leptomeninges, giving rise to central nervous system dysfunction. Breast cancer, lung cancer, and melanoma are the most frequent causes of LM among solid tumors in adults. An early diagnosis of LM, before fixed neurologic deficits are manifest, permits earlier and potentially more effective treatment, thus leading to a better quality of life in patients so affected. Apart from a clinical suspicion of LM, diagnosis is dependent upon demonstration of cancer in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or radiographic manifestations as revealed by neuraxis imaging. Potentially of use, though not commonly employed, today are use of biomarkers and protein profiling in the CSF. Symptomatic treatment is directed at pain including headache, nausea, and vomiting, whereas more specific LM-directed therapies include intra-CSF chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy, and site-specific radiotherapy. A special emphasis in the review discusses novel agents including targeted therapies, that may be promising in the future management of LM. These new therapies include anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors erlotinib and gefitinib in nonsmall cell lung cancer, anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab in breast cancer, anti-CTLA4 ipilimumab and anti-BRAF tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as vermurafenib in melanoma, and the antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody bevacizumab are currently under investigation in patients with LM. Challenges of managing patients with LM are manifold and include determining the appropriate patients for treatment as well as the optimal route of administration of intra-CSF drug therapy.

Malignant meningitis presenting as pseudotumor cerebri

Malignant leptomeningitis can present as the clinical syndrome of pseudotumor cerebri due to infiltration of arachnoid villi in the superior sagittal sinus. We show that malignant pachymeningitis can also present with pseudotumor cerebri, likely due to cerebral venous hypertension from transverse sinus compression. We present 3 cases of pseudotumor cerebri due to pachymeningeal or leptomeningeal metastases and discuss the mechanism of intracranial hypertension in such cases, its diagnosis and treatment.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting versus endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the treatment of patients with hydrocephalus related to metastasis

Background:

Between 2005 and 2010, we treated patients with hydrocephalus related to cerebral metastases, who were not good candidates for surgical resection by either endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS). Patients were excluded from ETV if they had a clinical history suggestive of non-obstructive hydrocephalus, including: (1) history of infection or ventricular hemorrhage and (2) leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The rest of the patients were treated with VPS.

Methods:

We analyzed the clinical outcome of these patient cohorts, to determine whether the efficacy of VPS was compromised due to a history of infection, ventricular hemorrhage, or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, and compared these results to those patients who underwent ETV.

Results:

Sixteen patients were treated with ETV and 36 patients were treated with VPS. The overall efficacy of symptomatic palliation was comparable in the ETV and VPS patients (ETV = 69%, VPS = 75%). In both groups, patients with more severe hydrocephalic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and lethargy were more likely to benefit from the procedure. The overall complication rate for the two groups was comparable (ETV = 12.6%, VPS = 19.4%), although the spectrum of complications differed. The overall survival, initial Karnofsky performance status (KPS), and three-month KPS, were similarly comparable (median survival: ETV 3 months, VPS 5.5 months; initial KPS: ETV = 66 ± 7, VPS = 69 ± 12; 3 months KPS: ETV = 86 ± 7, KPS = 84 ± 12).

Conclusion:

VPS remains a reasonable option for poor RPA grade metastasis patients with hydrocephalus, even in the setting of a previous infection, hemorrhage, or in those with leptomeningeal disease. Optimal treatment of this population will involve the judicious consideration of the relative merits of VPS and ETV.

Leptomeningeal metastasis from systemic cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is an uncommon, usually late, complication of cancer. This article discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of LM.

RECENT FINDINGS

Neither gadolinium-enhanced MRI nor CSF cytology is adequately sensitive to diagnose all cases of LM.

SUMMARY

Patients with LM classically present with multifocal neurologic symptoms and signs, and the diagnosis is made via MRI, CSF cytologic analysis, or both. Treatment is palliative in nature and can involve focal radiation to symptomatic sites, systemic chemotherapy with agent(s) that cross the blood-brain barrier, or intrathecal delivery of chemotherapy. Patients may present with or later develop signs of hydrocephalus; ventriculoperitoneal shunting can provide symptomatic relief in certain patients. Overall prognosis is poor, with a median survival typically in the range of 2 to 3 months.

Neoplastic meningitis resulting from hematological malignancies: pharmacokinetic considerations and maximizing outcome

Neoplastic meningitis, also known as leptomeningeal metastases, is a complication of various types of cancer that occurs when tumor cells enter the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), travel along CSF pathways and grow. Treatment options include drug delivery directly into the CNS or systemic administration for targeted action in the CNS. CNS drug delivery is limited by the blood-brain barrier and the blood-CSF barrier. It may be possible to partially overcome this by using high-dose systemic therapy; however, this is done at the possible expense of increased systemic toxicity. Intra-CSF drug delivery bypasses the blood-brain barrier and allows direct access of the chemotherapeutic agent to the CSF. Because neoplastic meningitis occurs in an increasingly large percentage of all cancer patients, it is imperative to optimize drug delivery to the CSF and meninges. Both the pharmacokinetic profile of the chemotherapeutic agent and the site of administration influence therapeutic efficacy. Achieving prolonged therapeutic cytotoxic drug concentrations and even distribution in the CSF will improve efficacy. In this article we summarize data on the efficacy, safety and outcome of high-dose systemic and intra-CSF treatments.