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Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNS-GCT) are malignant neoplasms that arise predominantly during adolescence and young adulthood. These tumors are typically sensitive to treatment, but resulting long-term health deficits are common. Additional clinical challenges include surgical risks associated with tumor biopsy, and need to determine treatment response for adapting radiotherapy protocols. The aim of this study was to establish the detectability of circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA) from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with CNS-GCT as a potential biomarker. We obtained CSF from patients with CNS-GCT by lumbar puncture or intra-operatively. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was extracted and subjected to low-pass whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS). Copy-number alterations (CNAs) were inferred and served as a marker of measurable residual disease (MRD). Comparisons with imaging findings and tumor marker levels were made. A total of 29 CSF samples from 21 patients (16 with germinoma, 5 with non-germinomatous GCT) were sequenced. Twenty samples from 19 patients were collected at diagnosis, and 9 samples from 7 patients were collected during or after therapy. Among the diagnostic samples, CNAs were detected in samples from 17/19 patients (89%), which included 8 with marker-negative tumors. Specific clinical scenarios suggested that serial cfDNA analysis may carry utility in tracking treatment responses as well as clarifying indeterminate imaging findings. Our results provide evidence for the high-sensitivity in detecting ctDNA from CSF of CNS-GCT patients using LP-WGS, with potential utility for non-invasive diagnosis and disease monitoring in upcoming CNS-GCT studies., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This study was approved by the Hospital for Sick Children Research Ethical Board (REB # 1000071241) and the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital Research Ethics Committee (HKCH-REC-2020-068). Written informed consent was obtained from all patients, their parents or guardians. Consent for publication: Written informed consent for the publication was obtained from all patients participants, their parents or guardians. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Central Nervous System Non-Germinomatous Germ Cell Tumors (CNS-NGGCT) are rare but curable tumors. Due to their rarity, patients with treatment failures remain a poorly characterized group with unfavorable outcomes. In this study, we sought to characterize patients with treatment failures in a large, prospectively treated cohort., Methods: European and North American clinical trials for patients with CNS-NGGCT (SIOP-GCT-96, SFOP-TGM-TC 90/92, COG-ACNS0122, and COG-ACNS1123) were pooled for analysis. Additionally, patients included and treated in the UK and France national registries under strict protocol guidelines were included as an independent, non-overlapping cohort., Results: A total of 118 patients experienced a treatment failure. Twenty-four patients had progressive disease during therapy, and additional 11 patients were diagnosed with growing teratoma syndrome (GTS). Patients with GTS are significantly younger and present with local failures and negative tumor markers. Eighty-three individuals experienced disease relapses after treatment ended. Patients' metastatic relapses presented significantly earlier than local relapses and were associated with tumor marker elevation (OR: 4.39; P = .026). In our analysis, focal or whole-ventricular radiation therapy was not associated with an increased risk of metastatic relapses., Conclusions: Herein, we present the largest pooled dataset of prospectively treated patients with relapsed CNS-NGGCT. Our study identified younger age and negative tumor markers to be characteristic of GTS. Additionally, we elucidated that metastatic relapses occur earlier than local relapses are associated with elevated tumor markers and are not associated with the field of radiation therapy. These findings are of utmost importance for the planning of future clinical trials and the implementation of surveillance strategies in these patients., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Neuro-Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Introduction: Brain tumors are the most common solid neoplasms and the second most common malignancy in the pediatric age group. Due to the complexity of their management, pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are not a priority in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)., Methods: In an attempt to improve the survival rate and overall care, we introduced a dedicated pediatric neuro-oncology service in our institute and evaluated its impact by dividing the pre- and post-era into two cohorts and comparing them: 1998-2013 (16 years: cohort A) and 2014-2019 (6 years: cohort B, after the start of dedicated neuro-oncology services)., Results: We observed that after the implementation of a proper neuro-oncology service, the proportion of patients treated with curative intent increased, and survival improved in cohort B. The patient volume also increased from 15.5 per year in cohort A to 44.8 per year in cohort B. The percentage of children given radiation therapy also increased significantly, while the proportion of children treated with chemotherapy remained stable., Conclusion: A dedicated multidisciplinary team trained and knowledgeable in the specialty of pediatric neuro-oncology can enhance and improve outcomes, and supportive care and help can provide good quality of life to children and their families with brain neoplasms., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: Children's Oncology Group study ACNS1123 tested the efficacy of reduced dose and field of radiation therapy (RT) for patients with localized nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) who achieved a complete (CR) or partial response (PR) to chemotherapy. Here, we evaluate the quality of RT and patterns of failure for patients eligible for reduced RT in this phase 2 trial., Methods and Materials: Patients with localized NGGCT with CR/PR after induction chemotherapy received reduced RT to 30.6 Gy whole ventricular irradiation and 54 Gy tumor-bed total dose. An atlas was provided to assist with complex RT volumes. Early interventional review was performed for the initial RT plan. Complete RT plans for all patients and images of relapsed patients were centrally reviewed at completion of therapy., Results: Between May 2012 and September 2016, 107 eligible patients were enrolled and 66 achieved a CR/PR after induction chemotherapy (± second-look surgery) and were eligible for reduced RT. Median follow-up was 4.4 years. Median age was 11.0 years (3.7-21.6), and 75% were male. Progression-free survival and overall survival at 4 years were 87.9% ± 4.0% and 92.4% ± 3.3% for 66 evaluable patients, respectively. Eight patients relapsed: 6 with isolated spinal relapse and 2 with disease in the brain and spine. After central review, 62 (94%) patients had RT targets contoured and dose delivered per protocol. None of the patients with deviations (n = 4) have progressed., Conclusions: Patterns of failure suggest the spine is at risk for recurrence for patients with localized NGGCT who receive reduced RT after a CR/PR to induction chemotherapy. Although survival data are encouraging, the pattern of failure has influenced the next prospective trial design. RT compliance was excellent despite complexity of radiation volumes, suggesting that providing visual guidance in the form of an online atlas contributes to higher quality RT plans., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Hearing loss (HL) is a serious secondary effect of treatment for CNS and head-and-neck tumors in children. The goal of this study was to evaluate incidence and risk factors for HL in patients with multiple ototoxic exposures., Patients and Methods: We evaluated 340 ears from 171 patients with CNS or head-and-neck tumors treated with radiation, with or without chemotherapy, who had longitudinal audiologic evaluation. International Society of Pediatric Oncology-Boston grades were assigned to 2,420 hearing assessments. Multivariable weighted ordinal logistic regression was fitted to evaluate the effect of clinicopathologic features on HL., Results: Mean cochlea dose (odds ratio [OR] 1.04 per Gy, P < .001), time since radiotherapy (RT; OR 1.21 per year, P < .001), cisplatin dose (OR 1.48 per 100 mg/m 2 , P < .001), and carboplatin dose (OR 1.41 per 1,000 mg/m 2 , P = .002) were associated with increasing International Society of Pediatric Oncology-Boston grade of HL. There was no synergistic effect of RT and cisplatin (interaction term, P = .53) or RT and carboplatin (interaction term, P = .85). Cumulative incidence of high-frequency HL (> 4 kHz) was 50% or greater at 5 years after RT if mean cochlea dose was > 30 Gy, while incidence of HL across all frequencies continued to increase beyond 5 years after RT., Conclusion: Children treated with radiation and chemotherapy experience a high incidence of HL over time, with associations found between more severe HL and cisplatin or carboplatin dose as well as mean cochlea dose. Mean cochlea dose of ≤ 30 Gy is proposed as a goal to reduce the risk of HL; a lower threshold (20-25 Gy) may be considered in patients receiving platinum chemotherapy to reduce cumulative HL burden., Competing Interests: Eric BouffetConsulting or Advisory Role: NovartisResearch Funding: Roche (Inst), Bristol Myers Squibb (Inst) Sharon CushingConsulting or Advisory Role: DecibelSpeakers' Bureau: Interacoustics, Cochlear CorporationResearch Funding: Cochlear Corporation (Inst)Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Systems and Methods for Balance Stabilization. Applied Patents No.: 7041-0. Joint Holder Name(s), Royalties—Plural Publishing—Editor of Manual of Pediatric Balance DisordersTravel, Accommodations, Expenses: Interacoustics, Cochlear Corporation Vijay RamaswamyHonoraria: AstraZenecaConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca CanadaNo other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) germinomas are treatment-sensitive tumors with excellent survival outcomes. Current treatment strategies combine chemotherapy with radiotherapy (RT) in order to reduce the field and dose of RT. Germinomas originating in the basal ganglia/thalamus (BGTGs) have proven challenging to treat given their rarity and poorly defined imaging characteristics. Craniospinal (CSI), whole brain (WBI), whole ventricle (WVI), and focal RT have all been utilized; however, the best treatment strategy remains unclear., Methods: Retrospective multi-institutional analysis has been conducted across 18 institutions in four countries., Results: For 43 cases of nonmetastatic BGTGs, the 5- and 10-year event-free survivals (EFS) were 85.8% and 81.0%, respectively, while the 5- and 10-year overall survivals (OS) were 100% and 95.5%, respectively (one patient fatality from unrelated cause). Median RT doses were as follows: CSI: 2250 cGy/cGy(RBE) (1980-2400); WBI: 2340 cGy/cGy(RBE) (1800-3000); WVI: 2340 cGy/cGy(RBE) (1800-2550); focal: 3600 cGy (3060-5400). Thirty-eight patients (90.5%) received chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference in the EFS based on initial field extent (p = .84). Nevertheless, no relapses were reported in patients who received CSI or WBI. Chemotherapy alone had significantly inferior EFS compared to combined therapy (p = .0092), but patients were salvageable with RT., Conclusion: Patients with BGTGs have excellent outcomes and RT proved to be an integral component of the treatment plan. This group of patients should be included in future prospective clinical trials and the best RT field should be investigated further., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors undergo frequent imaging for diagnosis and follow-up, but few studies have characterized longitudinal imaging patterns. We described medical imaging in children before and after malignant CNS tumor diagnosis., Procedure: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged 0-20 years diagnosed with CNS tumors between 1996-2016 at six U.S. integrated healthcare systems and Ontario, Canada. We collected computed topography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radiography, ultrasound, nuclear medicine examinations from 12 months before through 10 years after CNS diagnosis censoring six months before death or a subsequent cancer diagnosis, disenrollment from the health system, age 21 years, or December 31, 2016. We calculated imaging rates per child per month stratified by modality, country, diagnosis age, calendar year, time since diagnosis, and tumor grade., Results: We observed 1,879 children with median four years follow-up post-diagnosis in the U.S. and seven years in Ontario, Canada. During the diagnosis period (±15 days of diagnosis), children averaged 1.10 CTs (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.13) and 2.14 MRIs (95%CI 2.12-2.16) in the U.S., and 1.67 CTs (95%CI 1.65-1.68) and 1.86 MRIs (95%CI 1.85-1.88) in Ontario. Within one year after diagnosis, 19% of children had ≥5 CTs and 45% had ≥5 MRIs. By nine years after diagnosis, children averaged one MRI and one radiograph per year with little use of other imaging modalities., Conclusions: MRI and CT are commonly used for CNS tumor diagnosis, whereas MRI is the primary modality used during surveillance of children with CNS tumors., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Purpose: Cancer survivors treated with stem-cell transplant (SCT) and radiation therapy are at a high risk for late effects including the metabolic syndrome. This study reviewed the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumor survivors treated with autologous SCT and craniospinal radiation., Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study in pediatric CNS tumor patients, who underwent a one-time evaluation at least 18 months post-autologous SCT for the presence of components of metabolic syndrome: obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal glucose levels., Results: Twelve patients were evaluated, and two (16%) met full criteria for the metabolic syndrome. Seven patients (58%) had at least one component of metabolic syndrome: elevated glucose levels in 8% (1/12), obesity 17% (2/12), hypertriglyceridemia 17% (2/12), and reduced HDL cholesterol in 25% (3/12). None had hypertension. Nine patients (75%) demonstrated abnormal fasting lipid profiles with elevated total cholesterol levels, although only 25% (3/12) fulfilled criteria for a diagnosis of dyslipidemia., Conclusion: Pediatric CNS tumor survivors treated with autologous SCT and craniospinal radiation are at risk for early signs of metabolic syndrome, most commonly hyperlipidemia. Further studies evaluating the progression of these early signs to full criteria for the metabolic syndrome diagnosis are required.

Purpose: Pediatric neuro-oncology resources are mostly unknown in Chile. We report the human and material resources available in Chilean hospitals providing pediatric neuro-oncology services., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 17 hospitals providing pediatric neuro-oncology services (Programa Infantil Nacional de Drogas Antineoplásicas [PINDA] hospitals, 11; private, 6)., Results: Response rate was 71% (PINDA, 8; private, 4). Pediatric neuro-oncology services were mainly provided within general hospitals (67%). Registries for pediatric CNS tumors and chemotherapy-related toxicities were available in 100% and 67% of hospitals, respectively. CNS tumors were treated by pediatric oncologists in 92% of hospitals; none were formally trained in neuro-oncology. The most used treatment protocols were the national PINDA protocols. All WHO essential medicines for childhood cancer were available in more than 80% of the hospitals except for gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, paclitaxel, and procarbazine. The median number of pediatric neurosurgeons per hospital was two (range, 2-6). General neuroradiologists were available in 83% of the centers. Pathology specimens were sent to neuropathologists (58%), adult pathologists (25%), and pediatric pathologists (17%). Intensity-modulated radiotherapy, conformal radiotherapy, and cobalt radiotherapy were used by 67%, 58%, and 42% of hospitals, respectively. Only one private hospital performed autologous hematopoietic cell transplant for children with CNS tumors., Conclusion: A wide range of up-to-date treatment modalities are available for children with CNS tumors. Our survey highlights future directions to improve the pediatric neuro-oncology services available in Chile such as the expansion of multidisciplinary clinics, palliative care services, long-term cancer survivorship programs, dedicated clinical research support teams, establishing standardized mechanism for sending pathologic specimen for second opinion to international specialized centers, and establishing specialized neuro-oncology training program.

Purpose: Stratum 1 of ACNS1123 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01602666), a Children's Oncology Group phase II trial, evaluated efficacy of reduced-dose and volume of radiotherapy (RT) in children and adolescents with localized nongerminomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs). The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of reduced RT on progression-free survival (PFS) with a goal of preserving neurocognitive function., Patients and Methods: Patients received six cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide, as used in the Children's Oncology Group predecessor study (ACNS0122; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00047320). Patients who achieved a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) with or without second-look surgery were eligible for reduced RT, defined as 30.6 Gy whole ventricular field and 54 Gy tumor-bed boost, compared with 36 Gy craniospinal irradiation plus 54 Gy tumor-bed boost used in ACNS0122., Results: A total of 107 eligible patients were enrolled. Median age was 10.98 years (range, 3.68 to 21.63) and 75% were male. Sixty-six of 107 (61.7%) achieved a CR or PR and proceeded to reduced RT. The 3-year PFS and overall survival and standard error values were 87.8% ± 4.04% and 92.4% ± 3.3% compared with 92% and 94.1%, respectively, in ACNS0122. There were 10 recurrences, prompting early study closure; however, after a retrospective central review, only disease in eight of 66 (12.1%) patients eligible for reduced RT subsequently progressed; six patients had distant spinal relapse alone and two had disease with combined local plus distant relapse. Serum and CSF α-fetoprotein and β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were not associated with PFS., Conclusion: Patients with localized NGGCT who achieved a CR or PR to chemotherapy and received reduced RT had encouraging PFS similar to patients in ACNS0122 who received full-dose craniospinal irradiation. However, the patterns of failure were distinct, with all patients having treatment failure in the spine.

Purpose: The management of central nervous system tumors is challenging in low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about applicability of twinning initiatives with high-income countries in neuro-oncology. In 2004, a monthly neuro-oncology video-teleconference program was started between King Hussein Cancer Center (Amman, Jordan) and the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). More than 100 conferences were held and > 400 cases were discussed. The aim of this work was to assess the sustainability of such an initiative and the evolution of the impact over time., Methods: We divided the duration in to three eras according to the initial 2 to 3 years of work of three consecutive oncologists in charge of the neuro-oncology program at King Hussein Cancer Center. We retrospectively reviewed the written minutes and compared the preconference suggested plans with the postconference recommendations. Impact of changes on the patient care was recorded., Results: Thirty-three sets of written minutes (covering 161 cases) in the middle era and 32 sets of written minutes (covering 122 cases) in the last era were compared with the initial experience (20 meetings, 72 cases). Running costs of these conferences has dropped from $360/h to < $40/h. Important concepts were introduced, such as multidisciplinary teamwork, second-look surgery, and early referral. Suggestions for plan changes have decreased from 44% to 30% and 24% in the respective consecutive eras. Most recommendations involved alternative intervention modalities or pathology review. Most of these recommendations were followed., Conclusion: Video-teleconferencing in neuro-oncology is feasible and sustainable. With time, team experience is built while the percentage and the type of treatment modifications change. Commitment and motivation helped maintain this initiative rather than availability of financial resources. Improvement in patients' care was achieved, in particular, with the implementation of a multidisciplinary team and the continuous effort to implement recommendations.

Paediatric CNS tumours are the most common cause of childhood cancer-related morbidity and mortality, and improvements in their diagnosis and treatment are needed. New genetic and epigenetic information about paediatric CNS tumours is transforming the field dramatically. For most paediatric CNS tumour entities, subgroups with distinct biological characteristics have been identified, and these characteristics are increasingly used to facilitate accurate diagnoses and therapeutic recommendations. Future treatments will be further tailored to specific molecular subtypes of disease, specific tumour predisposition syndromes, and other biological criteria. Successful biomaterial collection is a key requirement for the application of contemporary methodologies for the validation of candidate prognostic factors, the discovery of new biomarkers, the establishment of appropriate preclinical research models for targeted agents, a quicker clinical implementation of precision medicine, and for other therapeutic uses (eg, for immunotherapies). However, deficits in organisational structures and interdisciplinary cooperation are impeding the collection of high-quality biomaterial from CNS tumours in most centres. Practical, legal, and ethical guidelines for consent, storage, material transfer, biobanking, data sharing, and funding should be established by research consortia and local institutions to allow optimal collection of primary and subsequent tumour tissue, body fluids, and normal tissue. Procedures for the collection and storage of biomaterials and related data should be implemented according to the individual and organisational structures of the local institutions., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Embryonal tumors are a heterogeneous group of central nervous system (CNS) tumors whose subgroups have varying incidence and outcome. Despite these differences, they are often grouped as a single entity for study purposes. To date, there are no Canadian multi-institutional studies examining the incidence and outcome of all embryonal subtypes. The current study is an observational study reviewing embryonal tumors in all patients less than 36 months of age diagnosed with a CNS tumor in Canada from 1990 to 2005. Embryonal tumors accounted for 26.9% of all CNS tumors. Medulloblastomas were the highest proportion of the embryonal tumors at 61.5%. Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) had the second highest proportion of embryonal tumors at 18%. The proportion of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) was 16%, with 2.6 and 1.9% for congenital medulloepithelioma and ependymoblastoma tumors, respectively. AT/RT and PNET were more common in younger age groups. Medulloblastoma became more prevalent with increasing age, with its highest prevalence in the 25 to 36 month age group. Survival rates for our Canadian population at 18 and 24 months were 0.74 and 0.68 for medulloblastoma, 0.64 and 0.60 for PNET, and 0.36 and 0.29 for AT/RT, respectively. Overall, our data are comparable with published international rates for embryonal tumors. These incidence and outcome figures can guide future research into these rare tumors.

We recently reported that atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) comprise at least two transcriptional subtypes with different clinical outcomes; however, the mechanisms underlying therapeutic heterogeneity remained unclear. In this study, we analyzed 191 primary ATRTs and 10 ATRT cell lines to define the genomic and epigenomic landscape of ATRTs and identify subgroup-specific therapeutic targets. We found ATRTs segregated into three epigenetic subgroups with distinct genomic profiles, SMARCB1 genotypes, and chromatin landscape that correlated with differential cellular responses to a panel of signaling and epigenetic inhibitors. Significantly, we discovered that differential methylation of a PDGFRB-associated enhancer confers specific sensitivity of group 2 ATRT cells to dasatinib and nilotinib, and suggest that these are promising therapies for this highly lethal ATRT subtype., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

CNS germinomas have an excellent prognosis with radiation therapy alone. However, in children, volume and dose of CNS radiation are associated with neurocognitive and neuroendocrine sequelae. Our objective was to determine long-term outcomes of our cohort who received chemotherapy and reduced radiation. This retrospective cohort study analyzed treatment and outcome of intracranial germinoma patients consecutively treated at Sick Kids, Toronto, Canada, from January 2000 to December 2013. 24 children (13 male, 11 female; median age 13.36 years) were identified. Median follow up was 61 months (range 1-144 months). Tumor location was suprasellar (n = 9), bifocal (8), pineal (6), and basal ganglia (1). Three children showed dissemination on imaging. 2/24 had only elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin, 3/24 only elevated lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hCG, and 2/24 had both elevated serum and lumbar CSF hCG. 23/24 children completed treatment and received multi-agent chemotherapy followed by either ventricular radiation (2340-2400 cGy) (n = 9), ventricular radiation + boost (1600 cGy) (n = 8), whole brain (2340 cGy) (n = 3), focal (4000 cGy) (n = 2) or craniospinal radiation (2340 cGy) (n = 1). Five-year progression free and overall survival was 96 and 100 % respectively. 8/24 patients with ventricular radiation ± boost (2340/4000 cGy) displayed stable full scale intelligence quotient over a mean interval of 3 years following radiation, but showed declined processing speed. In this limited experience, excellent 5-year overall survival rates were achieved with chemotherapy followed by reduced whole ventricular radiation even if ventricular radiation was delivered without boost.

The pituitary bright spot is acknowledged to indicate functional integrity of the posterior pituitary gland, whilst its absence supports a diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus (DI). This feature was evaluated, together with the incidence and clinical characteristics of DI in children with suprasellar/neurohypophyseal germinomas. We performed a review of all suprasellar (SS) or bifocal (BF) germinoma pediatric patients treated in Toronto since 2000. Demographics, symptomatology, treatment outcome and imaging were evaluated. Nineteen patients fulfilled inclusion criteria (10 SS, 9 BF; median age 12.5 years (6.2-16.8 years)). All remained alive at 6.4 years median follow-up (1.2-13.7 years) after receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy (13 focal/ventricular, four whole brain, two neuraxis), with only one progression. All had symptoms of DI at presentation with a symptom interval above one year in eight cases (42 %). Desmopressin was commenced and maintained in 16 patients (84 %). The pituitary bright spot was lost in most diagnostic interpretable cases, but was appreciated in three patients (18 %) who had normal serum sodium values compared to 'absent' cases (p = 0.013). For two such cases, spots remained visible until last follow-up (range 0.4-3.3 years), with one still receiving desmopressin. No case of bright spot recovery was observed following therapy. Protracted symptom intervals for germinoma-induced central DI may reflect poor clinical awareness. Explanations for persistence of the pituitary bright spot in symptomatic patients remain elusive. Desmopressin seldom reverses the clinical features of germinoma-induced DI to allow discontinuation, nor does treatment cause bright spot recovery.

Tandem cycles of high-dose chemotherapy are an increasingly being used as alternative to radiation treatment in the management of infants and young children with central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Most of these protocols have a carboplatinum and thiotepa backbone. The toxicities of these regimens have been reported extensively; however, pulmonary arterial vasculopathy (PAV) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has not been previously documented in patients treated with this approach. PAH is a disorder of the pulmonary vasculature characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to right heart failure and potentially death. We evaluated PAH as a complication after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). We performed a retrospective evaluation of all pediatric patients diagnosed with a CNS tumor between 2001 and 2010 scheduled to receive 3 cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with carboplatinum (17 mg/kd/day for 2 days) and thiotepa (10 mg/kg/day for 2 days), followed by autologous SCT. Our primary objective was to evaluate the incidence of PAV and PAH in this population, as well as patient outcomes after the development of PAH. Our cohort comprised 20 patients with a median age at diagnosis of 28 months (range, 3-131 months). Three patients developed biopsy-confirmed PAV with PAH, the 2 patients who developed PAV with PAH at the end of the third cycle succumbed to PAH. Death due to PAV and PAH was the sole toxic mortality observed during the study period. PAV with PAH is a major and possibly fatal complication after high-dose chemotherapy and sequential autologous SCT using carboplatinum and thiotepa in a tandem fashion. There is an urgent need to evaluate PAH as a potential complication after each cycle of high-dose chemotherapy when using such regimens in pediatric patients with CNS tumors., (Copyright © 2013 American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Central nervous system germ cell tumors (CNS GCT) are typically localized to midline structures of the brain, including the pineal and suprasellar/pituitary regions. Management of these tumors depends on underlying histology (germinoma or nongerminomatous germ cell tumor). Knowledge about neurocognitive outcome in these patients is limited. Longitudinal neurocognitive outcome in CNS GCT patients seen for neuropsychological evaluation at a single institution was explored., Methods: Thirty-five patients were seen for neurocognitive evaluation after diagnosis and treatment for a CNS GCT. Mean age at diagnosis was 11.66 years. Tumor location was suprasellar in 12 patients, pineal in 9, bifocal in 10, multifocal in 3, and thalamic in 1. Standardized cognitive tests of intelligence, receptive language, visual-motor ability, memory, and academic achievement were administered. Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses were conducted., Results: Intelligence, academic functioning, and receptive vocabulary were not significantly compromised in most patients treated for CNS GCT. Working memory, information processing speed, and visual memory declined significantly over time in all patients. Patients with pineal tumors showed early and stable deficits, whereas patients with suprasellar and bifocal tumors showed more protracted declines from initial average functioning. Patients treated with ventricular versus craniospinal radiation displayed better outcome., Conclusions: Although general cognitive abilities appeared stable and intact after treatment for most children with CNS GCT, a significant decline over time in working memory, processing speed, and visual memory was evident. Tumor location appeared to be important in understanding the trajectory of stability and decline in CNS GCT patients, as did radiation field., (Copyright © 2011 American Cancer Society.)

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with hamartomatous growths including subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). Since chemo-radiation therapies offer scant benefit, oncologists had traditionally been little involved in managing SEGAs. Recent evidence demonstrating rapamycin efficacy in adults and children with TSC-associated tumors foresee a practice change. We summarize our institutional experience and literature review that highlight potential benefits and hazards of rapamycin therapy, for TSC patients with SEGA, and other syndromal brain tumors., (Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Purpose: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of imatinib in children with recurrent or refractory central nervous system (CNS) tumours expressing KIT and/or PDGFRA., Methods: Nineteen patients aged 2-18 years, with recurrent or refractory CNS tumours expressing either of the target receptors KIT and/or PDGFRA (by immunohistochemistry) were eligible. Participants received imatinib orally at a dose of 440 mg/m(2)/day and toxicities and tumour responses were monitored. Serial blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples for pharmacokinetics were obtained in a subset of consenting patients. Frozen tumour samples were analysed retrospectively for KIT and PDGFRA gene amplification in a subset of patients for whom samples were available., Results: Common toxicities were lymphopaenia, neutropaenia, leucopaenia, elevated serum transaminases and vomiting. No intratumoural haemorrhages were observed. Although there were no objective responses to imatinib, four patients had long-term stable disease (SD) (38-104 weeks). Our results suggest a possible relationship between KIT expression and maintenance of SD with imatinib treatment; KIT immunopositivity was seen in only 58% (11/19) of study participants overall, but in 100% of patients with SD at 38 weeks. All patient tumours showed PDGFRA expression. Pharmacokinetic data showed a high interpatient variability, but corresponded with previously reported values., Conclusions: Imatinib at 440 mg/m(2)/day is relatively safe in children with recurrent CNS tumours, but induced no objective responses. Demonstration of SD in previously progressing patients (KIT-expressing) suggests cytostatic activity of imatinib.

We have recently described the enzymatic subunit of telomerase (hTERT) as an important prognostic marker for paediatric ependymoma. Because of the lack of good, representative pre-clinical models for ependymoma, we took advantage of our large cohort of ependymoma patients, some with multiple recurrences, to investigate telomere biology in these tumours. Our cohort consisted of 133 ependymomas from 83 paediatric patients and included 31 patients with recurrences. Clinical outcome was measured as overall survival, progression-free survival and response to therapy. In all 133 tumours, hTERT expression correlated with proliferative markers, including MIB-1 index (P<0.0001) and mitotic index (P=0.005), as well as overall tumour grade (P=0.001), but not with other markers of anaplasia. There was no correlation between telomere length and hTERT expression or survival. Surprisingly, prior radiation or chemotherapy neither induced sustained DNA damage nor affected telomere maintenance in recurrent tumours. There was an inverse correlation between hTERT expression and telomere dysfunction as measured by gamma H2AX expression (P=0.016). Combining gamma H2AX and hTERT expressions could segregate tumours into three different survival groups (log rank, P<0.0001) such that those patients whose tumours expressed hTERT and showed no evidence of DNA damage had the worst outcome. This study emphasises the importance of telomere biology as a prognostic tool and telomerase inhibition as a therapeutic target for paediatric ependymoma. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that analysing tumours as they progress in vivo is a viable approach to studying tumour biology in humans.