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Cancer Reports (Hoboken, N.J.) Oct 2023A form of cancer called astrocytoma can develop in the brain or spinal cord and sometimes causes death. A detailed overview of the precise signaling cascade underlying... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
A form of cancer called astrocytoma can develop in the brain or spinal cord and sometimes causes death. A detailed overview of the precise signaling cascade underlying astrocytoma formation has not yet been revealed, although various factors have been investigated. Therefore, our objective was to unravel and summarize our current understanding of molecular genetics and associated signaling pathways with some possible therapeutic strategies for astrocytoma.
RECENT FINDINGS
In general, four different forms of astrocytoma have been identified in individuals, including circumscribed, diffuse, anaplastic, and multiforme glioblastoma, according to a recent literature review. All types of astrocytoma have a direct connection with some oncogenic signaling cascade. Common signaling is MAPK cascade, including Ras-Raf-ERK, up-regulated with activating EGFR/AKT/PTEN/mTOR and PDGFR. Recent breakthrough studies found that BRAF mutations, including KIAA1549: BRAF and BRAF V600E are responsible for astrocytoma progression. Additionally, cancer progression is influenced by mutations in some tumor suppressor genes, such as the Tp53/ATRX and MGMT mutant. As synthetic medications must cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), modulating signal systems such as miRNA is the primary option for treating patients with astrocytoma. However, available surgery, radiation therapy, and experimental therapies such as adjuvant therapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, and EGFR-targeting antibody drug are the usual treatment for most types of astrocytoma. Similar to conventional anticancer medications, some phytochemicals slow tumor growth by simultaneously controlling several cellular proteins, including those involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, metastatic spread, tyrosine kinase, growth factor receptor, and antioxidant-related proteins.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, cellular and molecular signaling is directly associated with the development of astrocytoma, and a combination of conventional and alternative therapies can improve the malignancy of cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; Brain Neoplasms; Astrocytoma; Glioblastoma; ErbB Receptors
PubMed: 37675821
DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1889 -
Neuro-oncology May 2018Intradural spinal tumors are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Due to the eloquence of the spinal cord and its tracts, the compact architecture of the cord and... (Review)
Review
Intradural spinal tumors are rare tumors of the central nervous system. Due to the eloquence of the spinal cord and its tracts, the compact architecture of the cord and nerves, and the infiltrative nature of some of these tumors, surgical resection is difficult to achieve without causing neurological deficits. Likewise, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are utilized more cautiously in the treatment of intradural spinal tumors than their cranial counterparts. Targeted therapies aimed at the genetic alterations and molecular biology tailored to these tumors would be helpful but are lacking.Here, we review the major types of intradural spinal tumors, with an emphasis on genetic alterations, molecular biology, and experimental therapies for these difficult to treat neoplasms.
Topics: Astrocytoma; Ependymoma; Humans; Prognosis; Spinal Neoplasms
PubMed: 29216380
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nox230 -
Journal of Neuro-oncology May 2023Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are mainly diffuse primary brain tumors harboring a diagnostic and prognostically favorable isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation. They... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are mainly diffuse primary brain tumors harboring a diagnostic and prognostically favorable isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation. They are still incurable besides growing molecular knowledge and therapy options. Circumscribed astrocytomas are also discussed here, although they represent a separate entity despite similarities in the nomenclature.
METHODS
We reviewed clinical trials, preclinical approaches as well as guideline recommendations form the major scientific Neuro-Oncology organizations for astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas according to PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS
After histopathological diagnosis and eventually a maximal safe resection, patients with good prognostic factors may be followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If further treatment is necessary, either after diagnosis or at progression, diffuse astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are mainly treated with combined radiochemotherapy or maximal safe resection followed by combined radiochemotherapy according to current guidelines based on randomized trials. Circumscribed gliomas like pilocytic astrocytomas, CNS WHO grade 1, or pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas, CNS WHO grade 2, are often treated with surgery alone. Current approaches for therapy optimization include decision of the best chemotherapy regimen. The IDH mutation presents a rational target for small molecule inhibition and immune therapy in diffuse astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas, while the BRAF pathway is frequently mutated and treatable in circumscribed gliomas.
CONCLUSION
Despite establishment of standard treatment approaches for gliomas that include resection, radio- and chemotherapy, there is a lack of effective treatments for progressive disease. Immune- and targeted therapies are currently investigated.
Topics: Humans; Oligodendroglioma; Astrocytoma; Glioma; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mutation
PubMed: 36566461
DOI: 10.1007/s11060-022-04216-z -
CNS Oncology Nov 2019Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare primary CNS tumor. Recent advances in the molecular characterization are helping to define subtypes of tumor. The discovery... (Review)
Review
Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare primary CNS tumor. Recent advances in the molecular characterization are helping to define subtypes of tumor. The discovery of mutations within a substantial percentage of PXA fosters a clearer understanding of the pathophysiology of these tumors with clear prognostic and therapeutic implications. These findings are expected to provide insight into the spectrum of clinical behavior observed in PXA, ranging from cure with surgery to diffuse dissemination throughout the neuraxis. This review details the clinical presentation including radiographic appearance of PXA. Pathology, including molecular pathology is discussed. Therapeutic management including surgical resection, radiotherapy and systemic therapies are reviewed.
Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Prognosis
PubMed: 31535562
DOI: 10.2217/cns-2019-0009 -
Journal of Neurochemistry Jan 2019Astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal form of intracranial tumors. These tumors are characterized by a significant heterogeneity in terms of... (Review)
Review
Astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal form of intracranial tumors. These tumors are characterized by a significant heterogeneity in terms of cytopathological, transcriptional, and (epi)genomic features. This heterogeneity has made these cancers one of the most challenging types of cancers to study and treat. To uncover these complexities and to have better understanding of the disease initiation and progression, identification, and characterization of underlying cellular and molecular pathways related to (epi)genetics of astrocytic gliomas is crucial. Here, we discuss and summarize molecular and (epi)genetic mechanisms that provide clues as to the pathogenesis of astrocytic gliomas.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans
PubMed: 30347482
DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14616 -
Neuro-oncology Apr 2023
Topics: Humans; Senotherapeutics; Astrocytoma; Brain
PubMed: 36702510
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noad016 -
Cancer Medicine Sep 2023The latest fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors (WHO CNS 5 classification) released in 2021...
BACKGROUND
The latest fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of the central nervous system (CNS) tumors (WHO CNS 5 classification) released in 2021 defined astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4. However, the understanding of this subtype is still limited. We conducted this study to describe the features of astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4 and explored the similarities and differences between histological and molecular subtypes.
METHODS
Patients who underwent surgery from January 2011 to January 2022, classified as astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4 were included in this study. Clinical, radiological, histopathological, molecular pathological, and survival data were collected for analysis.
RESULTS
Altogether 33 patients with astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4 were selected, including 20 with histological and 13 with molecular WHO Grade 4 astrocytoma. Tumor enhancement, intratumoral-necrosis like presentation, larger peritumoral edema, and more explicit tumor margins were frequently observed in histological WHO Grade 4 astrocytoma. Additionally, molecular WHO Grade 4 astrocytoma showed a tendency for relatively longer overall survival, while a statistical significance was not reached (47 vs. 25 months, p = 0.22). TP53, CDK6, and PIK3CA alteration was commonly observed, while PIK3R1 (p = 0.033), Notch1 (p = 0.027), and Mycn (p = 0.027) alterations may affect the overall survival of molecular WHO Grade 4 astrocytomas.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study scrutinized IDH-mutant, Grade 4 astrocytoma. Therefore, further classification should be considered as the prognosis varied between histological and molecular WHO Grade 4 astrocytomas. Notably, therapies aiming at PIK3R1, Notch 1, and Mycn may be beneficial.
Topics: Humans; N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein; Brain Neoplasms; Isocitrate Dehydrogenase; Mutation; Astrocytoma; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; World Health Organization
PubMed: 37667984
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6476 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Dec 2023Long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEATs) include a series of neoplasms that commonly occur in children, adolescents, or young adults, have an astrocytic or...
Long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEATs) include a series of neoplasms that commonly occur in children, adolescents, or young adults, have an astrocytic or glioneuronal lineage, are histologically benign (WHO grade1) with a neocortical localization predominantly situated in the temporal lobes. Clinically, chronic refractory epilepsy is usually the unique symptom. Gangliogliomas (GG) and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT) are the most common representative entities besides pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) and angiocentric gliomas (AG). Recent molecular studies have defined new clinicopathological entities, which are recognized by the WHO 2021 classification of brain tumors. Some of them such as diffuse astrocytoma or altered, polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY), and multilocular and vacuolating neuronal tumor (MVNT) are currently considered LEATs. The relationship between LEATs and epilepsy is still a matter of debate, and there is a general agreement about the beneficial effects of an early neurosurgical intervention on the clinical outcome.
Topics: Adolescent; Young Adult; Humans; Child; Epilepsy; Glioma; Brain Neoplasms; Ganglioglioma; Astrocytoma; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial
PubMed: 38157880
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777730 -
Neurobiology of Disease Jan 2016Glioblastoma (GBM, Grade IV astrocytoma) is the most common and most aggressive of the primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Hypoxia is a distinct feature in GBM and... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma (GBM, Grade IV astrocytoma) is the most common and most aggressive of the primary malignant brain tumors in adults. Hypoxia is a distinct feature in GBM and plays a significant role in tumor progression, resistance to treatment and poor outcomes. This review considers the effects of hypoxia on astrocytic tumors and the mechanisms that contribute to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, with a focus on the vascular changes, chemotaxic signaling pathways and metabolic alterations involved.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Hypoxia
PubMed: 26094595
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.06.007 -
Neurobiology of Disease Nov 2023Epilepsy, a common complication of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs; diffuse oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma collectively), severely compromises the quality of life of...
Epilepsy, a common complication of diffuse low-grade gliomas (DLGGs; diffuse oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma collectively), severely compromises the quality of life of patients. DLGG epileptogenicity may primarily be generated by interactions between the tumor and the neocortex. Neuronal uptake of dysfunctional mitochondria from the extracellular environment can lead to abnormal neuronal discharge. Mitochondrial dysfunction is frequently observed in gliomas that can transmigrate across the plasma membranes. Here, we examined the role of the Rho GTPase-activating protein 44 (RICH2) in mitochondrial dynamics and DLGG-related epilepsy. We investigated the association between mitochondrial and RICH2 expression in human DLGG tissues using immunohistochemistry. We examined the association between RICH2 and epilepsy in nude mouse glioma models by electrophysiology. The effect of RICH2 on mitochondrial morphology and calcium motility were assessed by single cell fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were performed to characterize RICH2 induced expression changes in the genes related to mitochondrial dynamics, mitogenesis and mitochondrial function. We found that RICH2 expression was higher in oligodendroglioma than in astrocytoma and was correlated with better prognosis and higher epilepsy rate in patients. The expression of mitochondria may be associated with clinical DLGG-related epilepsy and reduced by RICH2 overexpression. And RICH2 could promote DLGG-related epilepsy in tumorigenic nude mice. RICH2 overexpression decreased calcium flow and the mitochondria released from glioma cells (SW1088 and U251) into the extracellular environment, potentially via downregulation of MFN-1/MFN-2 levels which suggests reduced mitochondrial fusion. In addition, we observed decreased mitochondrial trafficking into neurons (released from glioma cells and trafficked into neurons), which could explain the higher incidence of DLGG-related epilepsy due to reduced neuroprotection. Furthermore, RICH2 downregulated MAPK/ERK/HIF-1 pathway. In conclusion, these results suggest that RICH2 could promote epilepsy by (i) inhibiting mitochondrial fusion via MFN downregulation and Drp-1 upregulation; (ii) altering the MAPK/ERK/Hif-1 signaling axis. RICH2 may be a potential target in the treatment of DLGG-related epilepsy.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Oligodendroglioma; Calcium; Mice, Nude; Quality of Life; Glioma; Mitochondria; Astrocytoma
PubMed: 37926169
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106344