Daily Lifestyle Modifications to Improve Quality of Life and Survival in Glioblastoma: A Review

Physical Activity in Patients with Advanced Cancer: Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Psychological Correlates

As cancer progresses, patients may experience physical decline, which can impair their ability to carry out essential daily tasks. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of physical activity in patients with advanced cancer undergoing systemic treatment and its relationship with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors. A prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study was carried out in 15 oncology departments in Spain. Patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic cancer who were candidates for systemic treatment were included. Participants completed demographic information and psychological scales. In total, 508 patients were included in the study, the majority of whom were male, over the age of 65, and diagnosed with bronchopulmonary tumors (36%) and metastatic disease. Based on their physical activity levels, participants were categorized as sedentary (20%, n = 190), engaging in light physical activity (43%, n = 412), or demonstrating moderate physical activity (37%, n = 351). Patients who were over 65 years old; had a worse baseline status (ECOG ≥ 1); lacked a partner; had a lower educational level; or were retired or unemployed were found to have lower levels of physical activity. Those with sedentary physical activity reported higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, somatization, and physical symptoms, as well as worse functional status, global health status, and well-being. Understanding the complex interplay between physical activity and sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors can help neuroscientists develop tailored exercise interventions that address the unique needs of advanced cancer patients.

Optimal vitamin D status at admission appears to improve survival after craniotomy in patients with brain malignancies

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Survival from diagnosis of brain malignancies is often very short. Craniotomy in turn may be associated with morbidity and even post-operative mortality. Vitamin D and calcium were known as protective factors on all-cause mortality. However, their role is not well-understood in post-surgery survival of brain malignant patients.

METHODS

Totally, 56 patients completed the present quasi-experimental study, comprising the intervention group (n = 19) under intramuscular administration of 300 000 IU vitamin D3, the control group (n = 21), and the group of patients with optimal vitamin D status at admission (n = 16).

RESULTS

The mean ± SD of preoperative 25(OH)D levels in the control, intervention, and optimal vitamin D status groups were 15.15 ± 3.63 ng/mL, 16.61 ± 2.56 ng/mL, and 40.03 ± 10.56 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Crude survival was significantly greater in the optimal vitamin D status group than those in another two groups (P = 0.005). Also, Cox proportional hazard model showed that the risk of mortality was higher in the control group and the intervention group than in the group of patients with optimal vitamin D status at admission (P-trend = 0.03). However, this correlation weakened in the full-adjusted models. Preoperative total calcium had an inverse significant correlation with mortality risk [HR value 0.25, (95%, CI: 0.09-0.66), P = 0.005], and age had a positive correlation [HR value 1.07, (95%, CI: 1.02-1.11), P = 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Total calcium and age were predictive factors in six-month mortality and optimal vitamin D status appears to improve the survival in these patients, which should be examined more closely in future studies.

The Impact of Resistance Exercise on Muscle Mass in Glioblastoma in Survivors (RESIST): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults, accounting for approximately 48% of all brain tumors. Standard treatment includes radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy. Glioblastomas are highly vascular and can cause vasogenic brain edema and mass effect, which can worsen the neurologic symptoms associated with the disease. The steroid dexamethasone (DEX) is the treatment of choice to reduce vasogenic edema and intracranial pressure associated with glioblastoma. However high-dose DEX or long-term use can result in muscle myopathy in 10%-60% of glioblastoma patients, significantly reducing functional fitness and quality of life (QOL). There is a wealth of evidence to support the use of exercise as an adjuvant therapy to improve functional ability as well as help manage treatment-related symptoms. Specifically, resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass, strength, and functional fitness in aging adults and several cancer populations. Although studies are limited, research has shown that exercise is safe and feasible in glioblastoma populations. However, it is not clear whether resistance training can be successfully used in glioblastoma to prevent or mitigate steroid-induced muscle myopathy and associated loss of function.

Objective

The primary purpose of this study is to establish whether an individualized circuit-based program will reduce steroid-induced muscle myopathy, as indicated by maintained or improved functional fitness for patients on active treatment and receiving steroids.

Methods

This is a 2-armed, randomized controlled trial with repeated measures. We will recruit 38 adult (≥18 years) patients diagnosed with either primary or secondary glioblastoma who are scheduled to receive standard radiation and concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy postsurgical debulking and received any dose of DEX through the neurooncology clinic and the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Center. Patients will be randomly allocated to a standard of care waitlist control group or standard of care + circuit-based resistance training exercise group. The exercise group will receive a 12-week individualized, group and home-based exercise program. The control group will be advised to maintain an active lifestyle. The primary outcome, muscle myopathy (functional fitness), will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery and hand grip strength. Secondary outcome measures will include body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, QOL, fatigue, and cognitive function. All measures will be assessed pre- and postintervention. Participant accrual, exercise adherence, and safety will be assessed throughout the study.

Results

This study has been funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Atlantic Cancer Research Grant and the J.D. Irving Limited–Excellence in Cancer Research Fund (grant number 707182). The protocol was approved by the Nova Scotia Health and Acadia University’s Research Ethics Boards. Enrollment is anticipated to begin in March 2022.

Conclusions

This study will inform how individualized circuit-based resistance training may improve functional independence and overall QOL of glioblastoma patients.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrails.gov NCT05116137; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05116137

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/37709

Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio substantiates preoperative survival prediction in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma

Object

The conception of individual patient-adjusted treatment strategies is constantly emerging in the field of neuro-oncology. Systemic laboratory markers may allow insights into individual needs and estimated treatment benefit at an earliest possible stage. Therefore, the present study was aimed at analyzing the prognostic significance of preoperative routine laboratory values in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2019, 257 patients were surgically treated for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma at the Neuro-Oncology Center of the University Hospital Bonn. Preoperative routine laboratory values including red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet count were reviewed. RDW to platelet count ratio (RPR) was calculated and correlated to overall survival (OS) rates.

Results

Median preoperative RPR was 0.053 (IQR 0.044–0.062). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated an optimal cut-off value for RPR to be 0.05 (AUC 0.62; p = 0.002, 95% CI 0.544–0.685). 101 patients (39%) presented with a preoperative RPR < 0.05, whereas 156 patients (61%) had a RPR ≥ 0.05. Patients with preoperative RPR < 0.05 exhibited a median OS of 20 months (95% CI 17.9–22.1), which was significantly higher compared to a median OS of 13 months (95% CI 10.9–15.1) in patients with preoperative RPR ≥ 0.05 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study suggests the RPR to constitute a novel prognostic inflammatory marker for glioblastoma patients in the course of preoperative routine laboratory examinations and might contribute to a personalized medicine approach.

Comparison of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and prognostic nutritional index with other clinical and molecular biomarkers for prediction of glioblastoma multiforme outcome

Objective

Pre- and post-operative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and other prognostic clinicopathological variables were correlated with progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) patients.

Methods

GBM patients (n = 87, single-centre, recruited 2013–2019) were retrospectively divided into low and high groups using literature-derived cut-offs (NLR = 5.07, PNI = 46.97). Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log rank tests assessed PFS and OS. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified PFS and OS prognosticators.

Results

High vs low post-operative PNI cohort was associated with longer PFS (279 vs 136 days, p = 0.009), but significance was lost on multivariate analysis. Post-operative ECOG (p = 0.043), daily dexamethasone (p = 0.023) and IDH mutation (p = 0.046) were significant on multivariate analysis for PFS. High pre- and post-operative PNI were associated with improved OS (384 vs 114 days, p = 0.034 and 516 vs 245 days, p = 0.001, respectively). Low postoperative NLR correlated with OS (408 vs 249 days, p = 0.029). On multivariate analysis using forward selection process, extent of resection (EOR) (GTR vs biopsy, p = 0.004 and STR vs biopsy, p = 0.011), and any previous surgery (p = 0.014) were independent prognostic biomarkers for OS. On multivariate analysis of these latter variables with literature-derived prognostic biomarkers, EOR remained significantly associated with OS (p = 0.037).

Conclusions

EOR, followed by having any surgery prior to GBM, are the most significant independent predictors of GBM patient’s OS. Post-operative ECOG, daily dexamethasone and IDH mutation are independent prognostic biomarkers for PFS. PNI may be superior to NLR. Post- vs pre-operative serum inflammatory marker levels may be associated with survival.