α5-GABAA receptors negatively regulate MYC-amplified medulloblastoma growth

Neural tumors often express neurotransmitter receptors as markers of their developmental lineage. Although these receptors have been well characterized in electrophysiological, developmental and pharmacological settings, their importance in the maintenance and progression of brain tumors and, importantly, the effect of their targeting in brain cancers remains obscure. Here, we demonstrate high levels of GABRA5, which encodes the α5-subunit of the GABAA receptor complex, in aggressive MYC-driven, "Group 3" medulloblastomas. We hypothesized that modulation of α5-GABAA receptors alters medulloblastoma cell survival and monitored biological and electrophysiological responses of GABRA5-expressing medulloblastoma cells upon pharmacological targeting of the GABAA receptor. While antagonists, inverse agonists and non-specific positive allosteric modulators had limited effects on medulloblastoma cells, a highly specific and potent α5-GABAA receptor agonist, QHii066, resulted in marked membrane depolarization and a significant decrease in cell survival. This effect was GABRA5 dependent and mediated through the induction of apoptosis as well as accumulation of cells in S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. Chemical genomic profiling of QHii066-treated medulloblastoma cells confirmed inhibition of MYC-related transcriptional activity and revealed an enrichment of HOXA5 target gene expression. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HOXA5 markedly blunted the response of medulloblastoma cells to QHii066. Furthermore, QHii066 sensitized GABRA5 positive medulloblastoma cells to radiation and chemotherapy consistent with the role of HOXA5 in directly regulating p53 expression and inducing apoptosis. Thus, our results provide novel insights into the synthetic lethal nature of α5-GABAA receptor activation in MYC-driven/Group 3 medulloblastomas and propose its targeting as a novel strategy for the management of this highly aggressive tumor.

Current trends in glioblastoma multiforme treatment: radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer. Even with aggressive combination therapy, the median life expectancy for patients with GBM remains approximately 14 months. In order to improve the outcomes of patients with GBM, the development of newer treatments is critical. The concept of using the immune system as a therapeutic option has been suggested for several decades; by harnessing the body's adaptive immune mechanisms, immunotherapy could provide a durable and targeted treatment against cancer. However, many cancers, including GBM, have developed mechanisms that protect tumor cells from being recognized and eliminated by the immune system. For new immunotherapeutic regimens to be successful, overcoming immunosuppression via immune checkpoint signaling should be taken into consideration.

The Evangelismos hospital central nervous system tumor registry: Analysis of 1414 cases (1998-2009)

Background:

The Evangelismos Hospital central nervous system (CNS) Tumor Registry represents the current effort of the Departments of Neurosurgery and Pathology to collect data for primary and metastatic CNS tumor patients. In the present study, 12-year hospital data (1998-2009) were reviewed and analyzed.

Methods:

Patients that underwent surgery for CNS tumors for the first time were identified. Histologically confirmed tumor rates by age and gender were compared. Time trends in annual rates for specific tumor types were investigated. In-hospital mortality rates and length of hospital stay were analyzed by age and gender and their putative variations across the study period investigated.

Results:

A total of 1414 patients (age 15-89 years) were identified. The most frequently encountered histologies were gliomas and meningiomas, accounting for, respectively, 32.8% and 29.1% of the total sample. A greater proportion of meningiomas was found in women; the proportion of glioblastomas and metastatic tumors, as well as of mixed gliomas, were greater in men. Increased rates of glioblastoma and meningioma with advancing age at diagnosis were also apparent. There were no significant variations in time trends for specific tumor types. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher for older patients (≥70 years). An increase in the length of hospital stay was apparent between the first and middle third of the study period.

Conclusions:

Analysis of tumor rates in relation to age at diagnosis and gender showed significant bias in accordance with salient literature. Available data indicated no significant variations in time trends for specific tumor types across the study period, while an adverse effect of advanced age on in-hospital mortality was shown. The present findings can guide the formulation of future treatment programs and preventive strategies and provide the basis for further intra- and/or interdepartmental research.