Immunotherapy for Pediatric Brain and Spine Tumors: Current State and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

Brain tumors are the most common solid tumors and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. Incidence in the USA has been on the rise for the last 2 decades. While therapeutic advances in diagnosis and treatment have improved survival and quality of life in many children, prognosis remains poor and current treatments have significant long-term sequelae.

SUMMARY

There is a substantial need for the development of new therapeutic approaches, and since the introduction of immunotherapy by immune checkpoint inhibitors, there has been an exponential increase in clinical trials to adopt these and other immunotherapy approaches in children with brain tumors. In this review, we summarize the current immunotherapy landscape for various pediatric brain tumor types including choroid plexus tumors, embryonal tumors (medulloblastoma, AT/RT, PNETs), ependymoma, germ cell tumors, gliomas, glioneuronal and neuronal tumors, and mesenchymal tumors. We discuss the latest clinical trials and noteworthy preclinical studies to treat these pediatric brain tumors using checkpoint inhibitors, cellular therapies (CAR-T, NK, T cell), oncolytic virotherapy, radioimmunotherapy, tumor vaccines, immunomodulators, and other targeted therapies.

KEY MESSAGES

The current landscape for immunotherapy in pediatric brain tumors is still emerging, but results in certain tumors have been promising. In the age of targeted therapy, genetic tumor profiling, and many ongoing clinical trials, immunotherapy will likely become an increasingly effective tool in the neuro-oncologist armamentarium.

Nutritional status and inflammatory markers as survival predictors in pediatric central nervous system tumors

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Central nervous system tumors (CNS) are the second most common malignancies in childhood. Inflammation and changes in nutritional status play an important role and can be used as prognostic markers. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of nutritional status and inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS) of pediatric patients with CNS.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, 103 patients were followed for 5 years. Clinical, anthropometric, and hematological data were collected. Body mass index for age (BMI/A), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were calculated. OS curves were calculated using the Kaplan Meier method and evaluated using the Log-Rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was performed to identify independent variables associated with prognostic factors, generating hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Nutritional status did not significantly affect OS. However, patients with NLR ≥2.18 and SIRI ≥1249.18 had significantly lower OS in 5 years. Only treatment and high NLR were identified as independent prognostic factors for worse OS. Treatment with exclusive radiotherapy or chemotherapy (HR: 16.22, 95% CI: 2.19-120.07) and NLR (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.02-3.69) were identified as independent prognostic factors for worse OS at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

High pretreatment NLR was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for OS in pediatric patients with CNS.

New CNS tumor classification: The importance in pediatric neurosurgical practice

Background

The management of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the pediatric population is crucial in neurosurgical practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) has evolved its classification of CNS tumors from the 19th century to the 5th edition, published in 2021, incorporating molecular advancements. This transition from morphology to molecular characterization is ongoing.

Methods

This manuscript analyzes the modifications introduced in the 5th edition of WHO's CNS tumor classification, particularly focusing on pediatric tumor families. The paper integrates clinical, morphological, and molecular information, aiming to guide pediatric neurosurgeons in their daily practice and interdisciplinary discussions.

Results

The 5th edition of the WHO classification introduces a hybrid taxonomy that incorporates both molecular and histological components. The terminology shifts from "entity" to "type" and "subtype," aiming to standardize terminology. Tumor grading experiences changes, integrating molecular biomarkers for prognosis. The concept of integrated layered diagnosis is emphasized, where molecular and histological information is combined systematically.

Conclusion

The 5th edition of the WHO CNS classification signifies a paradigm shift toward molecular characterization. The incorporation of molecular advances, the layered diagnostic approach, and the inclusion of clinical, morphological, and molecular information aim to provide comprehensive insights into pediatric CNS tumors. This classification offers valuable guidance for pediatric neurosurgeons, aiding in precise diagnosis and treatment planning for these complex neoplasms.