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Glioblastoma (GBM) typically presents as a single lesion. Multicentric GBM are defined as well separated lesions on MRI (enhancing and non-enhancing). Multicentric GBM with non-enhancing lesions (MNE-GBM) are rarely described in literature. We aimed at describing the radiologic characteristics, treatment, and clinical course of those patients. The institutional neuropathological database was searched for GBM patients diagnosed between 1/1/2015 and 31/05/2018. All pre-operative MRI brain scans were reviewed to identify patients with MNE-GBM. Electronic medical records and follow-up MRI scans were reviewed to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Out of 149 adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM, 12 met the inclusion criteria of MNE-GBM, all of them presented at least one enhancing lesion. Median follow-up for the MNE-GBM patients was 16.1 months. At last follow-up, all patients had recurrence (median PFS 7.6 months) and eleven patients had deceased. Median OS was 16.2 months (95% CI, 4.1–27.5). Eleven patients received radiotherapy concomitant with temozolomide as initial treatment. Radiation field included all the disease foci (enhancing and non-enhancing lesions) in 8 patients, five of them progressed within the non-enhancing lesion. Three patients did not receive radiation for the entire non-enhancing lesions, and two of them progressed within the non-irradiated areas. In conclusion, MNE-GBM is not rare, and has high risk of aggressive progression within the separate non-enhancing lesion.

The purpose of this study is to explore differences in the pattern and outcome of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in breast cancer by age at diagnosis. A retrospective database of a tertiary cancer center yielded 174 consecutive patients with breast cancer who were diagnosed with CNS metastases in 2006–2019. Data on histopathology, characteristics of CNS involvement, treatments, and survival (at three time points during the disease course) were compared between patients aged ≤ 45 and > 45 years. Pearson Chi-square or Fisher exact test and Kaplan–Meier survival curves with log-rank test were used for statistical analyses. Study population was divided according to age at diagnosis of breast cancer. 65 patients were ≤ 45 years old and 109 patients > 45 years old. The younger group was characterized by longer median overall survival (117.1 months vs 88 months, p = 0.017) and longer interval between breast cancer diagnosis to development of CNS metastases (97.4 months vs 75.9 months, p = 0.026). Median survival after development of CNS disease was not significantly different (18.7 months vs 11.1 months, p = 0.341), although it was significantly longer in younger patients within the subgroup of patients with triple-negative disease (22.5 vs 7.9 months, p = 0.033). There were no between-group differences in number, location, and clinical presentation of CNS metastases or in systemic and CNS-directed treatment approaches. While the presentation of CNS involvement was similar between the different age groups, younger patients had significantly longer CNS-free interval and longer overall survival, and for the subgroups of triple-negative patients, younger age at breast cancer diagnosis was associated with longer survival after diagnosis of CNS disease.

Background Meningiomas are the most common primary central nervous system tumors. Potential risk factors include obesity, height, history of allergy/atopy, and autoimmune diseases, but findings are conflicting. This study sought to assess the role of the different risk factors in the development of meningioma in adolescents/young adults. Methods The cohort included 2,035,915 Jewish men and women who had undergone compulsory physical examination between 1967 and 2011, at age 16 to 19 years, prior to and independent of actual military enlistment. To determine the incidence of meningioma, the military database was matched with the Israel National Cancer Registry. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios for meningioma according to sex, body mass index (BMI), height, and history of allergic or autoimmune disease. Results A total of 480 subjects (328 females) were diagnosed with meningioma during a follow-up of 40,304,078 person-years. Median age at diagnosis was 42.1 ± 9.4 years (range 17.4–62.6). On univariate analysis, female sex (p Conclusions This large population study showed that sex and adolescent height in males (> 1.85 m) were associated with an increased risk of meningioma in adulthood.

A 35 years old woman was diagnosed with clinical stage 2, grade 3, hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative invasive ductal carcinoma, with ki-67 of 60%. She was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dose dense adriamycin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel. Six days following the third cycle of paclitaxel the patient presented with rapidly progressive weakness, proximal paresthesia and decreased sensation in both legs. Physical examination revealed hypoesthesia below level, proximal and distal weakness in both lower limbs and absence of reflexes. MRI of the spine demonstrated diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement from T11 to S1 including the cauda equina roots. The rapidly progressive neurological symptoms and the MRI findings were initially interpreted as leptomeningeal spread. High dose dexamethasone was promptly initiated and the patient was urgently planned for radiotherapy and received the first fraction of 3 Gy to level T11-S1. Further workup included lumbar puncture which showed elevated protein level (350 mg/dL), negative cytology for malignancy and EMG which demonstrated demyelinating injury compatible with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). A diagnosis of GBS was made and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) was initiated, followed by a gradual clinical improvement. Two months after the initial diagnosis, she had a near complete resolution of her neurological deficits. This case illustrates both the tendency to ascribe new symptoms and clinical findings in cancer patients to progressive disease, and the importance of keeping a wide differential diagnosis for non-cancer etiologies when treating our patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) comprises a heterogeneous group of aggressive blood malignancies that arise from clonal expansion of malignant hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow. Neurologic manifestations of these malignancies are manifolds. AML is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults and this review describes the neurologic complications in this age group. Neurologic symptoms and signs may develop in AML either from a direct neoplastic involvement of the central or the peripheral nervous system or as an indirect effect of the disease process. Direct involvement of the nervous system includes invasion of the central or the peripheral nervous system (parenchymal and leptomeningeal dissemination, myeloid sarcoma, neuroleukemiosis). Thrombotic and hemorrhagic events are common manifestations of indirect involvement of the nervous system and they are the outcome of hyperleukocytosis, thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy. Many neurologic complications are iatrogenic and include diverse categories such as lumbar puncture and intrathecal or systemic chemotherapy and targeted therapies, radiotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Most neurologic manifestations require urgent treatment and confer a poor prognosis. This review describes the neurologic complications of acute myeloid malignancies in the era of contemporary treatment. Those manifestations require expert consideration of their origin as they are being identified with increasing frequency as patients survive longer.

Bacteria have been found to play major roles in many physiologic/disease processes including cancer. The presence of bacteria within brain tumors has never been explored. The aim of this study was to examine the microbiome of Glioblastoma. A cohort of 40 glioblastoma samples (FFPE), from two medical centers served for DNA extraction using a specialized extraction protocol that includes a bead beating step to ensure complete bacterial DNA recovery. A set of negative controls was introduced at different steps of the assay to identify and monitor contaminating bacterial DNA. We measured the levels of bacterial DNA in the samples using a RT-qPCR assay, amplifying the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and detected bacterial DNA in over 40% of the samples. To characterize the bacterial taxa that are present in GBM tumors, we applied 16S DNA sequencing on the samples. After implementing a stringent set of filters on the sequencing data, eliminating contaminating signal, we detected a total of 22 bacterial taxa in GBM tumors. To visualize bacteria in GBM tissues and learn about their localization within the tissue we used immunohistochemistry staining with anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and anti-lipoteichoic acid (LTA) antibodies detecting gram negative and gram positive bacteria (correspondingly). Bacteria were also visualized by staining bacterial RNA using a 16S rRNA in situ hybridization assay. Staining of a human GBM tissue microarray (TMA) containing 32 cases of GBM showed that the majority of cases stained positive for LPS and ~40% were positive for 16S rRNA staining. Bacterial LPS and 16S rRNA were localized mainly inside the tumor cells. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that bacteria or bacterial components are present in human Glioblastoma tumors. We are currently expanding our study cohort in order to better define the bacteria found within glioblastoma samples and assess their possible effects

BACKGROUND Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an immune acute polyradiculoneuropathy usually presented as an ascending peripheral paresis with absent tendon reflex and albumino-cytologic dissociation on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exam.We describe two oncologic patients with GBS who presented with atypical symptoms. RESULTS The first patient was a 35 years old woman with newly diagnosed grade 3 invasive breast ductal carcinoma. During the sixth courses of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy she complained at back pain and within 24 hours developed progressive severe bilateral proximal paraparesis with a D10 sensory level. Spine MRI demonstrated diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement. Since leptomeningeal spread (LMD) is uncommon at this stage of breast cancer CSF was obtained. CSF sample revealed albumin-cytologic dissociation (4 cells, protein level 340 mg/dl). EMG showed acute demyelinating neuropathy consistent with GBS. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) therapy was initiated with clinical improvement. The second patient was a 45 years old woman with newly diagnosed T-Cell lymphoma. Before initiating chemotherapy she presented with a rapidly progressive tetraparesis, hyperreflexia and cervical sensory level. Spine MRI was intact. CSF showed 22 cells without atypia, FACS negative, protein level was 74 mg/dl. The patient worsened clinically. A second CSF sample was obtained and demonstrated an albumin-cytologic dissociation (8 cells without atypia, protein level 115 mg/dl) raising the possibility of GBS. EMG showed acute axonal polyneuropathy consistent with AMSAN variant of GBS. The patient was treated with IVIG with partial recovery. CONCLUSION Atypical presentation of GBS could be challenging among oncologic patients and could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment.

Background Gemistocytes (GCs) in low grade gliomas are associated with rapid growth and worse prognosis. However, their clinical significance in glioblastomas (GBM) is a matter of debate. Aim of study To investigate the clinical significance of the presence of GCs in newly-diagnosed GBM patients in the modern era. Methods Computerized medical records from newly diagnosed GBM patients were retrospectively reviewed and extracted for demographic, clinical, radiological and pathological variables. Patients with at least 5% GCs of neoplastic cells were considered GC-GBM (group 1). All other cases were considered non-GC GBM (group 2). Group 1 was further divided into two subgroups: Low percentage GCs (group 1a, ≤ 20% GCs) and high percentage GC (group 1b, >20% GCs). Results A total of 220 patients with newly diagnosed GBM were included. 14.5% were defined as GC-GBM (group I, n = 32) and 85.5% were defined as non-GC GBM (group 2, n = 188). 8.5% had ≤ 20% GCs (group 1a, n = 19) and 5.9% had > 20% GCs (group 1b, n = 13). Groups were similar for most epidemiological and clinical variables. There was a trend toward worse prognosis in group 1b. Several distinguished radiological and molecular features were observed in group 1. Conclusion GCs are found in minority of naive, newly diagnosed, GBM cases in adults. They seem to carry minimal implications on daily clinical practice. Higher percentage of GCs is associated with distinct radiological features such as multifocality that might be correlated with decreased OS. High-percentage GC-GBMs are also associated with increased prevalence of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations.

Importance: Patients with cancer undergoing treatment are at high risk of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, their ability to produce an adequate antibody response to messenger RNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is unclear. Objective: To evaluate rates of antispike (anti-S) antibody response to a BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with cancer who are undergoing systemic treatment vs healthy controls. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study included 102 adult patients with solid tumors undergoing active intravenous anticancer treatment and 78 controls who received the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine at least 12 days before enrollment. The controls were taken from a convenience sample of the patients' family/caregivers who accompanied them to treatment. The study was conducted between February 22, 2021, and March 15, 2021 at Davidoff Cancer Center at Beilinson Hospital (Petah Tikva, Israel). Interventions: Blood samples were drawn from the study participants. Serum samples were analyzed and the titers of the IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain were determined using a commercially available immunoassay. Seropositivity was defined as 50 or greater AU/mL. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of seropositivity. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of IgG titers and identifying factors that were associated with seropositivity using univariate/multivariable analyses. Results: The analysis included 180 participants, which comprised 102 patients with cancer (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, 66 [56-72] years; 58 men [57%]) and 78 healthy controls (median [IQR] age, 62 [49-70] years; 25 men [32%]). The most common tumor type was gastrointestinal (29 [28%]). In the patient group, 92 (90%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV 2 antispike IgG antibodies after the second vaccine dose, whereas in the control group, all were seropositive. The median IgG titer in the patients with cancer was significantly lower than that in the controls (1931 [IQR, 509-4386] AU/mL vs 7160 [IQR, 3129-11 241] AU/mL; P < .001). In a multivariable analysis, the only variable that was significantly associated with lower IgG titers was treatment with chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (s, -3.5; 95% CI, -5.6 to -1.5). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patients with cancer who were receiving active systemic therapy, 90% of patients exhibited adequate antibody response to the BNT162b2 vaccine, although their antibody titers were significantly lower than those of healthy controls. Further research into the clinical relevance of lower titers and their durability is required. Nonetheless, the data support vaccinating patients with cancer as a high priority, even during therapy.

To assess the value of T2* dynamic-susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to predict the glioblastoma relapse sites after chemoradiation. From a cohort of 44 patients, primarily treated with radiotherapy (60 Gy) and concomitant temozolomide for glioblastoma, who were included in the reference arm of a prospective clinical trial (NCT01507506), 15 patients relapsed and their imaging data were analyzed. All patients underwent anatomical MRI, DSC-MRI and DWI before radiotherapy and every 2 months thereafter until relapse. Voxels within the sites of relapse were correlated with their perfusion and/or diffusion abnormality (PDA) pretreatment status after rigid co-registration. The relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were used as biomarkers. Several PDA areas were thresholded: hyperperfused voxels using a 1.75 fixed rCBV threshold (HPt); hypoperfused (hPg) and hyperperfused (HPg) voxels using a histogram-based Gaussian method; diffusion-restricted voxels (DRg); and HPg voxels with diffusion restriction (HPg&DRg). Two sets of voxels (2,459,483 and 2,073,880) were analyzed according to these thresholding methods. Positive predictive values (PPV) of PDA voxels were low (between 9.5 and 31.9 %). The best PPV was obtained with HPg&DRg voxels within the FLAIR hyperintensity, as 18.3 % of voxels without initial PDA were within relapse sites, versus 31.9 % with initial PDA (p

BACKGROUND Central nervous system (CNS) metastases occur frequently in oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Standard treatment (i.e surgery, whole brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery) approaches can potentially delay systemic treatment and/or result in neurocognitive impairment. Recently, next generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have demonstrated a remarkable intracranial activity. However, most clinical trials did not enroll patients with neurological symptoms. Our study aims to assess the CNS activity of targeted therapy in this patient population. METHOD We present a case series of nine NSCLC patients with either EGFR mutation of ALK rearrangement and symptomatic CNS metastases that were treated with TKIs, without radiation therapy or surgery. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and outcome were analyzed. RESULTS Most patients presented with symptomatic CNS metastases at time of metastatic disease presentation (6/9 patients). Additionally, the majority of patients had leptomingeal disease (6/9 patients) and multiple parenchymal metastases. Patients presented with a variety of CNS symptoms with the most common being nausea, vomiting, headache and confusion. Five patients were treated with Osimertinib. One patient with ALK rearrangement was treated with Lorlatinib. The remaining 3 patients received either Gefitinib or Afatinib. Most patients (6/9 patients) responded rapidly both clinically and radiographically to the targeted treatment, with a marked correlation between systemic and intracranial radiographic response. CONCLUSION Upfront use of next generation TKIs in patients with oncogene-driver NSCLC with symptomatic CNS metastases is associated with reasonable intracranial activity and represents a valuable treatment option.

BACKGROUND Patients older than 60 years account for up to 70% of all PCNSL cases. Elderly PCNSL patients have median overall survival (OS) under 2 years and progression free survival (PFS) ranging between 6–16 months. Older patients have multiple comorbidities associated with low tolerability to high-dose (HD) chemotherapy. As maintenance treatment prolongs PFS and\or OS in several hematological malignancies we sought to investigate whether Ibrutinib maintenance may benefit elderly PCNSL patients. Ibrutinib was selected for maintenance since it has an impressive tolerability and activity in a range of systemic B-cell lymphomas. METHODS Single arm, open label, non-randomized study aiming to accrue 30 newly diagnosed PCNSL patients aged 60–85 years who received HD-methotrexate–based first line chemotherapy and have a documented response which is either partial (PR) or complete response (CR). The primary end-point is one and 2-year PFS and ibrutinib dose is 560mg/day. All patients undergo pre-maintenance neurocognitive evaluation which is repeated every 6 months. RESULTS Of the 16 patients screened for the study 2 were excluded due to relapse while on screening. 14 patients have been enrolled with a median age of 74 (61–80) years. The median interval between PCNSL diagnosis and start of ibrutinib maintenance is 7.6 (5.6–11.5) months. Currently, the median PFS is 22.5 (12–31.5) months. The adverse effects are largely grade 1/2 with rare grade 3/4 events. One patient discontinued treatment due to skin rash at 4.5 months. Two patients relapsed while on maintenance after 4 and 15 months of treatment. 3 patients with PR at enrolment improved to CR/CRu during maintenance. No invasive fungal infections have been observed. CONCLUSIONS Ibrutinib maintenance is feasible and well tolerated in newly diagnosed elderly PCNSL patients after first-line HD-MTX based treatment. The toxicity is mild to moderate. Enrollment is ongoing and updated outcomes will be presented at the meeting.

Lessons Learned Results suggest that the combination of bevacizumab plus temozolomide is active in terms of response rate, survival, performance, quality of life, and cognition in elderly patients with glioblastoma multiforme with poor performance status. Whether this combination is superior to temozolomide alone remains to be demonstrated by a randomized study. Background The optimal treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in patients aged ≥70 years with a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) Materials and Methods Patients aged ≥70 years with a KPS Results The trial included 66 patients (median age of 76 years; median KPS of 60). The median overall survival (OS) was 23.9 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI], 19–27.6), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15.3 weeks (95% CI, 12.9–19.3). Twenty-two (33%) patients became transiently capable of self-care (i.e., KPS >70). Cognition and quality of life significantly improved over time during treatment. Grade ≥3 hematological adverse events occurred in 13 (20%) patients, high blood pressure in 16 (24%), venous thromboembolism in 3 (4.5%), cerebral hemorrhage in 2 (3%), and intestinal perforation in 2 (3%). Conclusion This study suggests that TMZ + Bev treatment is active in elderly patients with GBM with low KPS and has an acceptable tolerance level.

BACKGROUND: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an anti-mitotic, electric-physical treatment modality. An interim analysis of the phase 3 trial comparing TTFields with maintenance temozolomide (TTFields/TMZ) showed superior progression free and overall survival compared to temozolomide alone (TMZ alone) in patients with newly diagnosed GBM. METHODS: After completion of radiotherapy with concomitant temozolomide, patients were randomized (2:1) to TTFields/TMZ or TMZ alone. The main trial endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Here we report the quality of life (EORTC QLQ C-30 / BN20), Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) and minimental status exam (MMSE) results in the interim analysis of the first 315 patients randomized, with a median follow-up of 38 months (range 18-60). RESULTS (intent-to-treat): 210 patients were randomized to TTFields/TMZ and 105 patients to TMZ alone. Patient characteristics were balanced. Median PFS was 7.1 and 4.0 months [Hazard ratio (HR) 0.62, p = 0.001], respectively and OS from randomization was 19.6 and 16.6 months (HR 0.74, p = 0.034), respectively, both favoring TTFields/TMZ. Global health status improved in patients treated with TTFields/TMZ (change from baseline to 3 months [CFB3] = +24% and change from baseline to 6 months [CFB6] = +13%), whereas a decrease was seen in patients treated with TMZ alone (CFB3 = -7% and CFB6 = - 17%). A full analysis of all domains of the QLQ C-30/BN-20 will be presented. No differences in KPS or MMSE was seen between treatment groups over time. CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance TTFields/TMZ provides a clinically and statistically significant improvement in progression-free and overall survival in newly diagnosed GBM. Quality of life was not adversely affected by the continuous use of TTFields and may be improved in some domains of the EORTC QLQ C-30 and BN20. Cognitive and functional capabilities were not impeded by the addition of TTFields to TMZ therapy.

We characterized health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cognitive, and functional status in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) patients receiving Tumor treating fields (TTFields) with temozolomide (TMZ) versus TMZ alone in a planned interim analysis of a randomized phase III trial [NCT00916409], which showed significant improvement in progression-free and overall survival with TTFields/TMZ. After radiotherapy with concomitant TMZ, newly diagnosed GBM patients were randomized (2:1) to TTFields/TMZ (n = 210) or TMZ (n = 105). Interim analysis was performed in 315 patients with ≥18 months of follow-up. HRQoL, a secondary endpoint, was evaluated in per-protocol patient population and expressed as change from baseline (CFB) at 3, 6, and 9 months for each subscale in the EORTC QLQ-C30/BN20. Karnofsky performance scores (KPS) and Mini-Mental State Examination scores (MMSE) were assessed. CFB in HRQoL was balanced in treatment groups at the 12-month time point. Initially, HRQoL improved in patients treated with TTFields/TMZ (CFB3: 24% and CFB6: 13%) versus TMZ (CFB3: −7% and CFB6: −17%), though this difference was no longer evident at the 9-month point. General scales, including physical and social functioning, showed no difference at 9 and 12 months. TTFields/TMZ group reported higher concerns of “itchy skin”. KPS over 12 months was just below 90 in both groups. Cognitive status (MMSE) was stable over time. HRQoL, KPS, and MMSE were balanced in both groups over time. There was no preliminary evidence that HRQoL, cognitive, and functional status is adversely affected by the continuous use of TTFields.

Background We aimed to identify subventricular zone (SVZ)-related prognostic factors of survival and patterns of recurrence among patients with glioblastoma. Methods Forty-three patients with primary diagnosed glioblastoma treated in our Cancer Center between 2006 and 2010 were identified. All patients received surgical resection, followed by temozolomide-based chemoradiation. Ipsilateral (iSVZ), contralateral (cSVZ) and bilateral (bSVZ) SVZs were retrospectively segmented and radiation dose-volume histograms were generated. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model was assessed to examine the relationship between prognostic factors and time to progression (TTP) or overall survival (OS). Results Median age was 59 years (range: 25–85). Median follow-up, OS and TTP were 22.7 months (range 7.5–69.7 months), 22.7 months (95% CI 14.5–26.2 months) and 6.4 months (95% CI 4.4–9.3 months), respectively. On univariate analysis, initial contact to SVZ was a poor prognostic factor for OS (18.7 vs 41.7 months, p = 0.014) and TTP (4.6 vs 12.9 months, p = 0.002). Patients whose bSVZ volume receiving at least 20 Gy (V20Gy) was greater than 84% had a significantly improved TTP (17.7 months vs 5.2 months, p = 0.017). This radiation dose coverage was compatible with an hippocampal sparing. On multivariate analysis, initial contact to SVZ and V20 Gy to bSVZ lesser than 84% remained poor prognostic factors for TTP (HR = 3.07, p = 0.012 and HR = 2.67, p = 0.047, respectively). Conclusion Our results suggest that contact to SVZ, as well as insufficient bSVZ radiation dose coverage (V20Gy

International audience; Background - Treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is poorly defined, because randomized trials and large studies are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics, management, and outcome of R/R PCNSL patients after first-line therapy in a nationwide cohort.Methods - We analyzed R/R PCNSL patients following first-line treatment who had been prospectively registered in the database of the French network for oculocerebral lymphoma (LOC) between 2011 and 2014.Results - Among 563 PCNSL patients treated with first-line therapy, we identified 256 with relapsed (n = 93, 16.5%) or refractory (n = 163, 29.0%) disease. Patients who were asymptomatic at relapse/progression (25.5%), mostly diagnosed on routine follow-up neuroimaging, tended to have a better outcome. Patients who received salvage therapy followed by consolidation (mostly intensive chemotherapy plus autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [ICT + AHSCT]) experienced prolonged survival compared with those who did not receive salvage or consolidation therapy. Independent prognostic factors at first relapse/progression were: KPS ≥ 70 vs KPS < 70), sensitivity to first-line therapy (relapsed vs refractory disease), duration of first remission (progression-free survival [PFS] ≥1 y vs Conclusions - About a third of PCNSL patients are primary refractory to first line treatment. We identified several independent prognostic factors that can guide the management of R/R PCNSL patients.

La tomographie par emission de positons (TEP) est un outil d’imagerie metabolique largement valide et utilise en oncologie generale. Elle est cependant sous-employee en neuro-oncologie, alors meme que l’evaluation en imagerie des gliomes est un des points fondamentaux et souvent problematiques dans la prise en charge des patients. La difficulte vient de l’absence de traceurs reellement adaptes aux tumeurs cerebrales. La TEP 18-FDG (2-[ 18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose) est limitee dans cette indication par la forte consommation de glucose du cerveau sain. L’utilisation des acides amines comme traceurs TEP est plus pertinente et la TEP 11C-MET (L-methyl- 11C]-methionine) est consideree comme une technique de reference. Cependant, la 11C-MET est inaccessible a la plupart des centres TEP et ne peut donc pas se generaliser en pratique quotidienne. La validation de traceurs adaptes a la neuro-oncologie est donc un challenge majeur.

Resume L’incidence des lymphomes primitifs du systeme nerveux central (LPSNC) qui a considerablement augmente ces dernieres annees demeure stable chez l’immunocompetent alors qu’elle a diminue chez l’immunodeprime. Le traitement de reference repose sur l’adjonction d’une chimiotherapie a base de methotrexate (MTX) intraveineux a forte dose a la radiotherapie encephalique autorisant une mediane de survie de trois a quatre ans et un taux de longs survivants de 30 %. La chimiotherapie intrathecale a visee prophylactique reste discutee. Chez les patients âges qui constituent la moitie des patients, il est maintenant bien accepte de ne plus proposer de radiotherapie de consolidation de facon systematique en cas d’obtention d’une remission complete avec la chimiotherapie seule. En effet, la population âgee est exposee a un fort risque de developper une leucoencephalopathie liee a la combinaison du MTX et de la radiotherapie. Dans la population jeune, des donnees recentes suggerent que l’intensification de la chimiotherapie avec greffe de cellule souche peripherique constitue une perspective therapeutique tres prometteuse dans les recidives ou eventuellement en alternative a la radiotherapie dans le traitement initial. Un essai prospectif national va prochainement debuter randomisant l’intensification de la chimiotherapie avec la radiotherapie dans les LPSNC de l’immunocompetent.

Summary Background No standard chemotherapy regimen exists for primary CNS lymphoma, reflecting an absence of randomised studies. We prospectively tested two promising methotrexate-based regimens, one more intensive and a milder regimen, for primary CNS lymphoma in the elderly population, who account for most patients. Methods In this open-label, randomised phase 2 trial, done in 13 French institutions, we enrolled immunocompetent patients who had neuroimaging and histologically confirmed newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma, were aged 60 years and older, and had a Karnofsky performance scale score of 40 or more. Participants were stratified by Karnofsky performance scale score ( vs ≥60) and treating institution and randomly assigned (1:1) to receive methotrexate (3·5 g/m 2 ) with temozolomide (150 mg/m 2 ) or methotrexate (3·5 g/m 2 ), procarbazine (100 mg/m 2 ), vincristine (1·4 mg/m 2 ), and cytarabine (3 mg/m 2 ). Neither regimen included radiotherapy; both included prophylactic G-CSF and corticosteroids. The primary endpoint was 1-year progression-free survival. Analysis was intent to treat, in a non-comparative phase 2 trial design. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00503594. Findings Between July 16, 2007, and March 25, 2010, 98 patients were enrolled, of whom 95 were randomly assigned and analysed; 48 to methotrexate with temozolomide and 47 to methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine. 1-year progression-free survival was 36% (95% CI 22–50) in the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine group and 36% (22–50) in the methotrexate with temozolomide group; median progression-free survival was 9·5 months (95% CI 5·3–13·8) versus 6·1 months (3·8–11·9), respectively. Objective responses were noted in 82% (95% CI 68–92) of patients in the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine group versus 71% (55–84) of patients in the methotrexate with temozolomide group. Median overall survival was 31 months (95% CI 12·2–35·8) in the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine group and 14 months (8·1–28·4) in the methotrexate with temozolomide group. No differences were noted in toxic effects between the two groups. The most common grades 3 and 4 toxicities in both groups were liver dysfunction (21 [4%] in the the methotrexate and temozolomide group and 18 [38%] in the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine group), lymphopenia (14 [29%] and 14 [30%]), and infection (six [13%] and seven [15%]). To date, 33 (69%) patients in the methotrexate and temozolomide group have died, versus 31 (55%) in the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine and cytarabine group. Quality-of-life evaluation (QLQ-C30 and BN20) showed improvements in most domains (p=0·01–0·0001) compared with baseline in both groups. Prospective neuropsychological testing showed no evidence of late neurotoxicity. Interpretation In this study of two different methotrexate-based combination regimens in elderly patients, the efficacy endpoints tended to favour the methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine, and cytarabine group. Both regimens were associated with similar, moderate toxicity, but quality of life improved with time, suggesting pursuing treatment in these poor prognosis patients is worthwhile. New alternatives are needed to improve response duration in this population. Funding Schering-Plough/Merck and French Government.

Malignant gliomas are frequently chemoresistant and this resistance seems to depend on at least two mechanisms. First, the poor penetration of many anticancer drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) and blood-tumor barrier (BTB), due to their interaction with several ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug efflux transporters that are overexpressed by the endothelial or epithelial cells of these barriers. Second, resistance may involve the tumor cells themselves. Although ABC drug efflux transporters in tumor cells confer multidrug resistance (MDR) on several other solid tumors, their role in gliomas is unclear. This review focuses on astrocytes and summarizes the current state of knowledge about the expression, distribution and function of ABC transporters in normal and tumor astroglial cells. The recognition of anticancer drugs by ABC transporters in astroglial cells and their participation in the multidrug resistance phenotype of human gliomas is discussed.

BACKGROUND. There is a need to improve the current, controversial, and poorly reproducible classification of anaplastic gliomas, which represent a highly heterogeneous entity in terms of survival. METHODS. The impact of the most common genetic alterations on survival was investigated based on 156 anaplastic gliomas: Among the patients who were included, the gender ratio was 1.32, the median age was 45.5 years (range, 20–83 years), and the median Karnofsky performance status was 70 (range, 40–100). Genetic analysis included a search for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 1p and 19q; amplification of chromosomes 9p and 10q and of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and mouse double-minute (MDM2) genes; and p53 expression. RESULTS. The median survival was 33.5 months, and the median progression-free survival was 15.8 months. In a univariate analysis, LOH on 1p and 19q was correlated with longer survival, whereas p53 expression, LOH on 9p, LOH on 10q, amplified EGFR, and deleted CDKN2A were correlated with shorter survival. LOH on 1p and 19q were associated with oligodendrogliomas, LOH on 10q was related to EGFR amplification, and LOH on 1p and 19q was mutually exclusive with EGFR amplification and LOH on 10q. In a multivariate analysis, the significant prognostic factors were age, histology, LOH on 1p and 19q, and P16/CDKN2A deletion. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) divided the whole group hierarchically into 3 distinct prognostic subgroups: Group A with 1p19q codeletion (median survival, 98 months), Group B with EGFR amplification (median survival, 17 months), and Group CC (median survival, 31 months), providing a basis for a genetically based prognostic subclassification for patients with Grade III gliomas. CONCLUSIONS. The search for 1p19q codeletion and EGFR receptor amplification provides a simple, clinically relevant prognostic subclassification of grade III gliomas. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.

We investigated two polymorphisms of the epidermal growth factor receptor promoter as potential risk factors and prognostic markers for glioblastoma. The -216T allele (which results in a 30% higher activity) was more frequent in the patients compared with the control population (224/376 = 59.6% vs 165/352 = 46.8%; p = 0.0006) corresponding to an odd ratio of 1.67 (1.24; 2.25). A modest difference in median survival was also associated with the TT genotype.

Objectif de l’etude Les zones subventriculaires sont considerees comme une source potentielle de cellules souches de glioblastome. L’objet de l’etude etait d’identifier des facteurs pronostiques de survie en lien avec ces zones subventriculaires parmi des patients atteints de glioblastome. Materiels et methodes Quarante-trois patients traites de premiere intention pour un glioblastome dans notre centre entre 2006 et 2010 ont ete identifies. Tous les patients ont recu apres une resection chirurgicale une chimioradiotherapie (protocole de Stupp et al.). Les zones subventriculaires homolaterales, controlaterales et bilaterales ont ete delineees retrospectivement et les histogrammes dose-volume analyses. Une analyse multifactorielle utilisant le modele de Cox a evalue l’impact des differents facteurs pronostiques lies aux zones subventriculaires sur le temps jusqu’a progression et la survie globale. Cette etude a ete approuvee par notre comite d’ethique local. Resultats Le suivi median, la survie globale mediane et le temps jusqu’a progression mediane etaient respectivement de 22,7 mois (7,5–69,7 mois), 22,7 mois (intervalle de confiance a 95 % [IC 95 %] : 14,5–26,2 mois) et 6,4 mois (IC 95 % : 4,4–9,3 mois). En analyse univafactorielle, le contact initial a la zone subventriculaire etait un facteur pronostique defavorable de survie globale (18,7 contre 41,7 mois, p = 0,014) et de temps jusqu’a progression (4,6 contre 12,9 mois, p = 0,002). Les patients dont le volume de zones subventriculaires recevant plus de 20 Gy etait superieur a 84 % avaient un temps jusqu’a progression significativement plus long (17,7 contre 5,2 mois, p = 0,017). Cette couverture de dose etait compatible avec une epargne hippocampique. En analyse multifactorielle, le contact initial a la zone subventriculaire et un volume de zones subventriculaires recevant plus de 20 Gy de moins de 84 % restaient des facteurs pronostiques defavorable de temps jusqu’a progression (respectivement, HR = 3,07, p = 0,012 et HR = 2,67, p = 0,047). Conclusion Nos resultats suggerent qu’un contact tumoral a la SVZ zone subventriculaire, de meme qu’une couverture de dose insuffisante de la zone subventriculaire recevant plus de 20 Gy (moins de 84 %) sont des facteurs defavorables independants de temps jusqu’a progression. Le ciblage de la zone subventriculaire en radiotherapie pourrait donc etre d’un interet crucial pour l’optimisation du traitement des glioblastomes.

International audience; Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AOD) are rare glial tumors in adults with relative homogeneous clinical, radiological and histological features at the time of diagnosis but dramatically various clinical courses. Studies have identified several molecular abnormalities with clinical or biological relevance to AOD (e.g. t(1;19)(q10;p10), IDH1, IDH2, CIC and FUBP1 mutations).To better characterize the clinical and biological behavior of this tumor type, the creation of a national multicentric network, named "Prise en charge des OLigodendrogliomes Anaplasiques (POLA)," has been supported by the Institut National du Cancer (InCA). Newly diagnosed and centrally validated AOD patients and their related biological material (tumor and blood samples) were prospectively included in the POLA clinical database and tissue bank, respectively.At the molecular level, we have conducted a high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis, which included 83 patients. Despite a careful central pathological review, AOD have been found to exhibit heterogeneous genomic features. A total of 82% of the tumors exhibited a 1p/19q-co-deletion, while 18% harbor a distinct chromosome pattern. Novel focal abnormalities, including homozygously deleted, amplified and disrupted regions, have been identified. Recurring copy neutral losses of heterozygosity (CNLOH) inducing the modulation of gene expression have also been discovered. CNLOH in the CDKN2A locus was associated with protein silencing in 1/3 of the cases. In addition, FUBP1 homozygous deletion was detected in one case suggesting a putative tumor suppressor role of FUBP1 in AOD.Our study showed that the genomic and pathological analyses of AOD are synergistic in detecting relevant clinical and biological subgroups of AOD.

Objective To assess the feasibility of synthesis of O -(2-[ 18 F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine (FET), a new positron emission tomographic (PET) tracer described in several studies but not yet considered standard in management of glioma, in routine practice and to determine FET uptake in a homogeneous group of patients with suspected high-grade glioma. Design Prospective nonrandomized trial. Patients Twelve patients with suspicion of high-grade glioma. Results The mean (SD) FET uptake ratio was 3.15 (0.72) for the 12 patients and 3.16 (0.75) for the 11 patients with glioblastoma. Conclusion The initial results are promising and indicate that FET PET is a valuable and applicable tool for the imaging of high-grade glioma.

There is no standard of care for elderly patients with glioblastoma (GBM) and poor performance status. A 79-year-old woman with GBM, aphasia, and hemiplegia achieved a complete response after only one cycle of temozolomide (TMZ) (150 mg/m2/day over 5 days). Genomic profiling of the tumor demonstrated loss of chromosome 10 and MDM2 amplification, which are predictive of poor outcome. The MGMT promoter was methylated, and it is likely that this at least partially explains the exquisite chemosensitivity in our patient. This unusual case report suggests that TMZ warrants further investigation in elderly patients with poor performance status.

The methylation status of the O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase promoter (MGMTP) was evaluated in 68 low-grade gliomas treated by neoadjuvant temozolomide. Methylated MGMTP was detected in 63 of 68 (92.6 %) patients and was a favorable predictor of progression-free survival as compared with unmethylated MGMTP tumors (p < 0.0001). Assessment of MGMTP status could help identifying low-grade gliomas patients more likely to respond to chemotherapy or to benefit from MGMT depletion strategies.

The A/G61 polymorphism located in the 5'UTR of the EGF gene has been found to be both a risk factor and a prognostic factor in glioblastoma (GBM), but the functional consequences have not been investigated. Here we show, in vitro, that this polymorphism is functional, in that the G allele promoter is 40% more active than the A variant (P < 0.001). However, analysis of a large series of 209 GBM patients and 214 control subjects did not confirm that A/G61 polymorphism is a significant risk factor for GBM, despite a trend for higher GG frequency in these patients. Furthermore, A/G61 polymorphism was not a prognostic factor for survival in GBM patients, although it does appear to affect progression-free survival.

Glioblastomas are the most frequent and the most aggressive primary brain tumors in adults. Therapeutic strategy is challenging because of radioresistance and chemoresistance explaining the poor prognosis (median survival of 12 months). Standard therapy consisted until recently of surgery and postoperative radiotherapy while the impact of chemotherapy (investigated as adjuvant, neo adjuvant therapy or concomitant with irradiation) was a matter of debate. However a recent phase III study has concluded to the benefit of adjuvant temozolomide administered during and after radiotherapy. This strategy is yet to become a standard.

This review aims to discuss the main advances in gliomas, primary cerebral lymphomas and cerebral metastasis. The recent development of molecular biology and cerebral imaging allows a better understanding and management of gliomas and phase III studies have concluded to the benefit of adjuvant temozolomide administered during and after radiotherapy for glioblastomas: this strategy is yet to become a standard. Optimal treatment for primary central nervous system lymphoma remains to be defined, and several studies aims to precise the value of radiotherapy as consolidation treatment. Several trials reviewing the current treatment options for brain metastasis (whole brain radiation therapy, surgical resection stereotactic radiosurgery and chemotherapy) are highlighted.

Search for loss of heterozygosity on chromosomes 1p, 9p, 10q, and 19q, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene amplification, and p53 expression was performed in a series of 131 low-grade gliomas. The profile of molecular changes, clinical findings, and histology were subsequently correlated with the course of the disease, mainly progression-free survival. When these parameters were considered as candidate variables in a multivariate analysis, only loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 1p was associated with increased progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.521), indicating a major favorable prognostic role of this genetic alteration in low-grade gliomas.

2020 Background: The optimal treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in elderly patients (age ≥70 years) with impaired functional status (Karnofsky performance status, KPS70) (J Clin Oncol. 2011; 29: 3050-5). The present clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the combination of TMZ with bevacizumab (BV) as an initial treatment for elderly patients with GBM and KPS2/d for 5 days every 4 weeks plus BV 10mgs/kg every 2 weeks, until 12 cycles or tumoral progression. Neither surgical resection nor radiotherapy was performed. Follow-up included clinical assessment every 2 weeks and brain MRI every 8 weeks. Results: Between October 2010 and March 2012, 66 patients (median age, 77 years; median KPS, 60) were enrolled. Median OS was 24 weeks (95% CI, 19-27.6) and median PFS was 16 weeks (95% CI, 13.1–19.3). Twenty-five patients (38%) became transiently capable of self-care (IK>70). Grade 3 and 4 haematological toxicity occurred in 13(19.6%) cases, whereas non-haematological toxicities were reported in 21(32%), including high blood pressure in 7(10%), thromboembolic events in 3(4.5%), intracerebral haemorrhage in 2(3%) and intestinal perforation in 2(3%) cases. Conclusions: This study confirms that TMZ-based treatment is of help in elderly GBM patients with poor KPS. However, the addition of bevacizumab does not appear to be of benefit in term of PFS and OS.

2032 Background: There is no standard chemotherapy defined in PCNSL. Elderly patients (pts) are not candidates for whole brain radiotherapy and therefore establishing an optimal MTX-based regimen is crucial. This prospective multicenter study conducted in 13 French institutions tested two promising MTX-based chemotherapy regimens in elderly pts with newly diagnosed PCNSL. Methods: Pts with histologically confirmed newly diagnosed PCNSL with age ≥60 and KPS ≥40 were stratified by institution and KPS, then randomized to receive three 28-day cycles of MTX (3.5 g/m2 D1 and D15) and TMZ (100-150mg/m2 D1-5 and 15-19) [MT arm] or 3 cycles of MTX (3.5 g/m2 D1 and D15), procarbazine 100mg/m2 (D1-7), vincristine (1.4mg/m2 D1 and 15), followed by cytarabine consolidation (3g/m2/d X2d) [MPV-A arm]. Neither arm included radiotherapy; prophylactic G-CSF and standardized corticosteroids (methylprednisolone 60mg/d D1-5) were given to both arms. The primary endpoint was PFS (one-stage Fleming design; α= 5%; β=10%). Evaluations included neuropsychological testing and quality of life. Results: Accrual has been completed (7/2007- 3/2010), with 98 pts randomized and 95 analyzed (MT: 48 pts; MPV-A: 47). Pre-treatment characteristics were well balanced between the two arms (all pts: median age=72- range 60-85; median KPS= 70; range 40-100). In the MPV-A arm, the CR rate = 62% (vs 45% in MT arm [p=0.11]), objective response rate= 82% (vs 71%; p=0.23), median PFS= 9.5m (vs 6.1m; HR= 1.14- 95% CI [0.72 ; 1.81]; p=0.6) and median OS= 31m (vs 13.8m; HR= 1.4 - 95% CI [0.84 ; 2.34]; p=0.2). The incidence of grades 3-4 toxicities was 72% in the MPV-A vs 71% in the MT arm. Abnormal liver function test was the most common toxicity (MPV-A: 18 pts; MT: 21). Baseline cognitive impairment (MMSE >24 vs ≤24) predicted OS (p=0.04). Conclusions: This is the first randomized PCNSL study testing two different MTX-based combination regimens. In this elderly population, toxicities were frequent but similar in both arms, and all efficacy endpoints tended to favor the MPV-A arm. The MPV-A regimen is recommended for further development in PCNSL. Clinical trial information: NCT00503594.