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Journal of Cancer Research and... 2016Prior epidemiological studies suggest a possible association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood neuroblastoma. A meta-analysis was performed... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Prior epidemiological studies suggest a possible association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood neuroblastoma. A meta-analysis was performed statistically surmising all available observational studies on this topic in order to evaluate the potential correlation of maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood neuroblastoma.
METHODS
Published literature was obtained from PubMed, Embase, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane library, and all studies were inclusive until July 2014. Data from epidemiological studies were combined using a general variance-based meta-analytic method employing 95% confidence intervals. The outcome of interest was shown as odds ratio (OR) reflecting the risk of neuroblastoma development associated with smoking while pregnant. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies.
RESULTS
Seven case-control studies meeting protocol specified inclusion criteria were obtained through a comprehensive literature search. These studies enrolled a total of 1909 patients and 15,683 controls. Analysis for homogeneity demonstrated that the data were heterogeneous (P < 0.05) and could be statistically combined with randomized effect model. Combining all seven reports yielded an OR of 1.28 (1.01-1.62), a statistically significant result suggesting possible association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of childhood neuroblastoma development (P = 0.005). There was no association between the dosage of maternal smoking during pregnancy and risk of neuroblastoma.
CONCLUSION
The available epidemiological data support a possible association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and pediatric neuroblastoma development.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Child; Female; Humans; Maternal Exposure; Neuroblastoma; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Publication Bias; Risk Factors; Smoking
PubMed: 27461688
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.171367 -
Current Oncology (Toronto, Ont.) Nov 2023The present review aims to investigate the survival and functional outcomes in adult high-grade brainstem gliomas (BGSs) by comparing data from resective surgery and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The present review aims to investigate the survival and functional outcomes in adult high-grade brainstem gliomas (BGSs) by comparing data from resective surgery and biopsy. MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were screened to conduct a systematic review of the literature, according to the PRISMA statement. Analysis was limited to articles including patients older than 18 years of age and those published from 1990 to September 2022. Case reports, review articles, meta-analyses, abstracts, reports of aggregated data, and reports on multimodal therapy where surgery was not the primary treatment were excluded. The ROBINS-I tool was applied to evaluate the risk of bias. Six studies were ultimately considered for the meta-analysis. The resective group was composed of 213 subjects and the bioptic group comprised 125. The analysis demonstrated a survival benefit in those patients in which an extensive resection was possible (STR HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.42, 0.82)) (GTR HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.43, 0.92)). Although surgical resection is associated with increased survival, the significantly higher complication rate makes it difficult to recommend surgery instead of biopsy for BSGs. Future investigations combining volumetric data and molecular profiles could add important data to better define the proper indication between resection and biopsy.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Glioma; Biopsy; Combined Modality Therapy; Brain Stem
PubMed: 37999129
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30110709 -
Translational Stroke Research Dec 2018Low translational yield for stroke may reflect the focus of discovery science on rodents rather than humans. Just how little is known about human neuronal ischaemic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Low translational yield for stroke may reflect the focus of discovery science on rodents rather than humans. Just how little is known about human neuronal ischaemic responses is confirmed by systematic review and meta-analysis revealing that data for the most commonly used SH-SY5Y human cells comprises only 84 papers. Oxygen-glucose deprivation, HO, hypoxia, glucose-deprivation and glutamate excitotoxicity yielded - 58, - 61, - 29, - 45 and - 49% injury, respectively, with a dose-response relationship found only for HO injury (R = 29.29%, p < 0.002). Heterogeneity (I = 99.36%, df = 132, p < 0.0001) was largely attributable to the methods used to detect injury (R = 44.77%, p < 0.000) with cell death assays detecting greater injury than survival assays (- 71 vs - 47%, R = 28.64%, p < 0.000). Seventy-four percent of publications provided no description of differentiation status, but in the 26% that did, undifferentiated cells were susceptible to greater injury (R = 4.13%, p < 0.047). One hundred and sixty-nine interventions improved average survival by 34.67% (p < 0.0001). Eighty-eight comparisons using oxygen-glucose deprivation found both benefit and harm, but studies using glutamate and HO injury reported only improvement. In studies using glucose deprivation, intervention generally worsened outcome. There was insufficient data to rank individual interventions, but of the studies reporting greatest improvement (> 90% effect size), 7/13 were of herbal medicine constituents (24.85% of the intervention dataset). We conclude that surprisingly little is known of the human neuronal response to ischaemic injury, and that the large impact of methodology on outcome indicates that further model validation is required. Lack of evidence for randomisation, blinding or power analysis suggests that the intervention data is at substantial risk of bias.
Topics: Databases, Bibliographic; Humans; Ischemia; Neuroblastoma
PubMed: 29572690
DOI: 10.1007/s12975-018-0620-4 -
Gene Aug 2018An increasing number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the development of glioma. However, a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the development of glioma. However, a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the clinical value of lncRNA expression in glioma patients is lacking. We performed this study to assess the relationship between the expression of various lncRNAs and the clinicopathological features, diagnosis and prognosis of glioma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eligible studies were identified through a comprehensive literature search. We conducted a subgroup analysis to assess the clinicopathological value of urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) of lncRNAs for survival were calculated to analyze the prognostic performance of lncRNAs.
RESULTS
In total, 40 studies, including 30 investigating clinicopathological features, 3 investigating diagnoses and 32 investigating prognoses, were analyzed in this study. UCA1 expression was positively associated with tumor size (odds ratio [OR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-4.15; P < 0.001) and World Health Organization (WHO) grade (OR, 3.84, [95% CI 1.84-8.01], P < 0.001). In the prognostic meta-analysis, high metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) expression could predict poor overall survival (OS) in patients with glioma, with a pooled HR of 2.32 (95% CI: 1.64-3.27, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that lncRNAs are associated with tumor size, WHO grade, and prognosis in glioma patients. lncRNAs could function as potential molecular biomarkers of the clinicopathology and prognosis of glioma.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Glioma; Humans; Prognosis; RNA, Long Noncoding
PubMed: 29777909
DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.05.054 -
Neuro-oncology Mar 2023This systematic review provides updated insights, from the published literature in the past 5 years, based on the 2017 European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO)...
BACKGROUND
This systematic review provides updated insights, from the published literature in the past 5 years, based on the 2017 European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) guidelines for palliative care in adults with malignant brain tumors. It provides an overview of palliative care options, including during the end-of-life phase for patients with malignant brain tumors.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted from 2016 to 2021 focusing on four main topics: (1) symptom management, (2) caregiver needs, (3) early palliative care, and (4) care in the end-of-life phase. An international panel of palliative care experts in neuro-oncology synthesized the literature and reported the most relevant updates. A total of 140 articles were included.
RESULTS
New insights include that: Hippocampal avoidance and stereotactic radiosurgery results in a lower risk of neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases; levetiracetam is more efficacious in reducing seizures than valproic acid as first-line monotherapy antiseizure drug (ASD) in glioma patients; lacosamide and perampanel seem well-tolerated and efficacious add-on ASDs; and a comprehensive framework of palliative and supportive care for high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers was proposed. No pharmacological agents have been shown in randomized controlled trials to significantly improve fatigue or neurocognition.
CONCLUSIONS
Since the 2017 EANO palliative care guidelines, new insights have been reported regarding symptom management and end-of-life care, however, most recommendations remain unchanged. Early palliative care interventions are essential to define goals of care and minimize symptom burden in a timely fashion. Interventional studies that address pain, fatigue, and psychiatric symptoms as well as (the timing of) early palliative care are urgently needed.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Terminal Care; Brain Neoplasms; Glioma; Death; Fatigue
PubMed: 36271873
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac216 -
Journal of Cancer Survivorship :... Aug 2017The median survival of glioblastoma is 12-14 months with less than 10% of patients surviving at least 2 years from diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma face... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The median survival of glioblastoma is 12-14 months with less than 10% of patients surviving at least 2 years from diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma face poor prognosis, significant symptom burden, and high care needs. The aim of this study is to undertake a literature review to document the issues encountered by long-term survivors of glioblastoma, a small but important subset of patients.
METHODS
MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and EMBASE were searched with core concepts: (1) glioblastoma, (2) survivor, and (3) terms pertaining to survivorship issues. A thematic analysis was undertaken of the three included studies.
RESULTS
Long-term survivors of glioblastoma encounter neurologic deficits, impairment in cognition, psychological distress, reduced social function, and future uncertainty. These issues result in the inability to return to work and financial difficulties. Independence in activities of daily living, working memory, and overall quality of life appears to be preserved.
CONCLUSIONS
Long-term survivors of glioblastoma continue to have significant symptom burden and care needs. There is currently a paucity of literature surrounding this topic. Further research is required to accurately describe these issues in order for improved supportive care to be implemented in the community and the outpatient setting.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
Understanding the issues faced by long-term survivor of glioblastoma will provide insight into the care needs of patients as well as support networks required for patients and their carers.
Topics: Adult; Female; Glioblastoma; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Survivors
PubMed: 28194640
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-017-0602-7 -
International Immunopharmacology May 2024Glioma is a primary tumor originating from the central nervous system, and despite ongoing efforts to improve treatment, its overall survival rate remains low. There are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Glioma is a primary tumor originating from the central nervous system, and despite ongoing efforts to improve treatment, its overall survival rate remains low. There are a limited number of reports regarding the clinical grading, prognostic impact, and utility of chemokines. Therefore, conducting a meta-analysis is necessary to obtain convincing and conclusive results.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid Medline, CNKI, Wanfang Database, VIP, and CBM. The search encompassed articles published from the inception of the databases until March 2024. The estimated odds ratio (ORs), standard mean difference (SMDs), and hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to assess the predictive value of chemokine and receptor levels in glioma risk. Additionally, heterogeneity tests and bias tests were performed to evaluate the reliability of the findings.
RESULTS
This meta-analysis included a total of 36 studies, involving 2,480 patients diagnosed with glioma. The results revealed a significant association between the expression levels of CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 22.28; 95 % CI = 11.47-43.30; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 4; OR = 10.69; 95 % CI = 7.03-16.24; p = 0.000), CCL2 (n = 6; SMD = -0.83; 95 % CI = -0.98--0.67; p = 0.000), CXCL8 (n = 3; SMD = 0.75; 95 % CI = 0.47-1.04; p = 0.000), CXCR7 (n = 3; OR = 20.66; 95 % CI = 10.20-41.82; p = 0.000), CXCL10 (n = 2; SMD = 3.27; 95 % CI = 2.91-3.62; p = 0.000) and the risk of glioma. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between CXCR4 (n = 8; OR = 4.39; 95 % CI = 3.04-6.32; p = 0.000), (n = 6; SMD = 1.37; 95 % CI = 1.09-1.65; p = 0.000), CXCL12 (n = 6; OR = 6.30; 95 % CI = 3.87-10.25; p = 0.000), (n = 5; ES = 2.25; 95 % CI = 1.15-3.34; p = 0.041), CCL2 (n = 3; OR = 9.65; 95 % CI = 4.55-20.45; p = 0.000), (n = 4; SMD = -1.47; 95 % CI = -1.68--1.26; p = 0.000), and CCL18 (n = 3; SMD = 1.62; 95 % CI = 1.30-1.93; p = 0.000) expression levels and high-grade glioma (grades 3-4). Furthermore, CXCR4 (HR = 2.38, 95 % CI = 1.66-3.40; p = 0.000) exhibited a strong correlation with poor overall survival (OS) rates in glioma patients.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study showed a robust association between elevated levels of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCR7 with a higher risk of glioma. Furthermore, the WHO grading system was validated by the strong correlation shown between higher expression of CXCR4, CXCL12, CCL2, and CCL18 and WHO high-grade gliomas (grades 3-4). Furthermore, the results of the meta-analysis suggested that CXCR4 might be a helpful biomarker for predicting the worse prognosis of glioma patients.
Topics: Humans; Glioma; Prognosis; Brain Neoplasms; Biomarkers, Tumor; Chemokines; Receptors, Chemokine; Receptors, CXCR4
PubMed: 38631221
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112047 -
Neurosurgical Review Jun 2019Multiple high-grade gliomas (M-HGGs) are well--separated tumors, differentiated as multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) by their MRI features. The authors performed a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Multiple high-grade gliomas (M-HGGs) are well--separated tumors, differentiated as multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) by their MRI features. The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature examining epidemiology, clinical and radiological characteristics, management, and the overall survival from M-HGGs. According to PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive review of studies published between January 1990 and January 2017 was carried out. The authors identified studies that examined the prevalence rate, clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment, and overall survival from M-HGGs in patients with HGG. Data were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Finally, we systematically reviewed demographic characteristics, lesion location, and surgical and adjuvant treatments. Twenty-three studies were included in this systematic review. The M-HGGs prevalence rate was 19% (95% CI 13-26%) and the hazard ratio of death from M-HGGs in the HGGs population was 1.71 (95% CI 1.49-1.95, p < 0.0001). The MC prevalence rate was 6% (CI 95% 4-10%), whereas MF prevalence rate was 11% (CI 95% 6-20%) (p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between MF and MC HGGs in gender, lesion location, histological type, and surgical treatment. Survival analysis of MC tumors showed that surgical resection (gross total resection or subtotal resection) is an independent predictor of improved outcome (HR 7.61 for biopsy subgroup, 95% CI 1.94-29.78, p = 0.004). The prevalence of M-HGGs is approximately 20% of HGGs. The clinical relevance of separating M-HGGs in MF and MC tumors remains questionable and its prognostic significance is unclear. When patient status and lesion characteristics make it safe and feasible, cytoreduction should be attempted in patients with M-HGGs because it improves overall survival.
Topics: Biopsy; Brain Neoplasms; Glioma; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Prognosis; Survival Analysis
PubMed: 29138949
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-017-0928-7 -
World Neurosurgery Oct 2023Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as an encouraging noninvasive technique that uses ultrasound to activate targeted agents to induce antitumor effects for the... (Review)
Review
Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as an encouraging noninvasive technique that uses ultrasound to activate targeted agents to induce antitumor effects for the treatment of glioma. With extensive variation in the types of sonosensitizers, protocols for sonication, and model systems, a comprehensive overview of existing preclinical data on the efficacy of SDT in glioma treatment is warranted. Here, we conduct a systematic review of preclinical and early clinical literature on implementing SDT to treat in vitro and in vivo models of glioma. Our findings suggest that coupling sonosensitizers such as 5-aminolevulinic acid, hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether, and sinoporphyrin sodium with focused ultrasound induces robust cytotoxic activity in tumor cells (in vitro and in vivo). These effects are likely mediated by the oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species production, apoptotic signaling cascades, and intracellular calcium overload. Future research is needed to better understand the biochemical and mechanistic properties of SDT, and ongoing trials may help elucidate the clinical feasibility of glioma treatment with optimized sonically activated treatments.
Topics: Humans; Ultrasonic Therapy; Glioma; Aminolevulinic Acid; Apoptosis; Reactive Oxygen Species; Antineoplastic Agents; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 37454909
DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.07.030 -
Cancer Metastasis Reviews Mar 2022Neuroblastoma is a devastating disease accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Yet, our understanding of key molecular drivers such as receptor tyrosine... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Neuroblastoma is a devastating disease accounting for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Yet, our understanding of key molecular drivers such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) in this pathology remains poorly clarified. Here, we provide a systematic analysis of the RTK superfamily in the context of neuroblastoma pathogenesis.
METHODS
Statistical correlations for all RTK family members' expression to neuroblastoma patient survival across 10 independent patient cohorts were annotated, synthesized, and ranked using the R2: Genomics Analysis and Visualization Platform. Gene expression of selected members across different cancer cell lines was further analyzed in the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, part of the Cancer Dependency Map portal (depmap portal ( http://depmap.org )). Finally, we provide a detailed literature review for highly ranked candidates.
RESULTS
Our analysis defined two subsets of RTKs showing robust associations with either better or worse survival, constituting potential novel players in neuroblastoma pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy. We review the available literature regarding the oncogenic functions of these RTKs, their roles in neuroblastoma pathophysiology, and potential utility as therapeutic targets.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic analysis and review of the RTK superfamily in neuroblastoma pathogenesis provides a new resource to guide the research community towards focused efforts investigating signaling pathways that contribute to neuroblastoma tumor establishment, growth, and/or aggressiveness and targeting these druggable molecules in novel therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Carcinogenesis; Cell Line, Tumor; Child; Humans; Neuroblastoma; Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34716856
DOI: 10.1007/s10555-021-10001-7