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Anticancer Research Jul 2024Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal types of brain cancer with a median survival of only 12 months due to its aggressiveness and lack of effective...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most lethal types of brain cancer with a median survival of only 12 months due to its aggressiveness and lack of effective treatment options. Astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas are classified as low-grade gliomas (LGG) and have the potential to progress into secondary GBM. YAP1 and TAZ are transcriptional co-activators of the hippo pathway and play an important role in tumorigenesis by controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. The aim of this study was to analyze whether YAP1 and TAZ influence the survival in patients with astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 22 patient samples of astrocytoma and 11 samples of oligodendroglioma were analyzed using real-time PCR. We utilized open-access data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) focusing on "brain lower grade glioma". mRNA expression rates were used to validate our findings on survival analysis.
RESULTS
Expression of YAP1 was twice as high in astrocytoma than in oligodendroglioma, whereas there was no difference in TAZ. In oligodendrogliomas, the expression of TAZ was higher in relapsed than in primary tumors. Patients with astrocytoma having a high YAP1 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival than patients with lower expression (median survival 161 vs. 86 months, p=0.0248). These findings were validated with survival analysis of TCGA data.
CONCLUSION
High YAP1 expression shows a high correlation with poorer overall survival in LGG. YAP1 has higher levels of expression in astrocytomas than in oligodendrogliomas.
Topics: Humans; YAP-Signaling Proteins; Astrocytoma; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Female; Male; Transcription Factors; Brain Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Adult; Neoplasm Grading; Oligodendroglioma; Phosphoproteins; Aged; Prognosis; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Biomarkers, Tumor; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins; Trans-Activators; Young Adult
PubMed: 38925840
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.17113 -
Anticancer Research Jul 2024Many patients with glioblastoma experience an intracerebral recurrence and require a personalized treatment. This study aimed to facilitate this approach by identifying...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Many patients with glioblastoma experience an intracerebral recurrence and require a personalized treatment. This study aimed to facilitate this approach by identifying prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In 102 patients with recurrent glioblastoma following primary treatment with resection or biopsy plus adjuvant chemoradiation, 11 characteristics were retrospectively investigated regarding PFS and OS.
RESULTS
In the multivariate analyses, Karnofsky performance score (KPS) 90-100 at the time of recurrence (p=0.032), maximum cumulative diameter of recurrent lesions ≤40 mm (p=0.002), resection of recurrent glioblastoma (p=0.025), and systemic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma (p=0.025) were significantly associated with improved PFS. In addition, KPS 90-100 (p=0.024), maximum cumulative diameter ≤40 mm (p=0.033), and systemic therapy (p=0.006) were significantly associated with better OS.
CONCLUSION
Our study identified high Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS 90-100), maximum cumulative diameter of recurrent glioblastoma lesions ≤40 mm, and systemic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma as independent predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). These independent prognostic factors may help select the most suitable treatment for individual patients with recurrent glioblastoma, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Aged; Prognosis; Brain Neoplasms; Progression-Free Survival; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Karnofsky Performance Status; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38925836
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.17119 -
Anticancer Research Jul 2024Glioblastoma is an incurable cancer with limited treatment options and a low survival rate. Temozolomide is the standard marketed small-molecule agent for glioblastoma...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Glioblastoma is an incurable cancer with limited treatment options and a low survival rate. Temozolomide is the standard marketed small-molecule agent for glioblastoma therapy; therefore, we aimed to find new drugs among the marketed medicines for brain diseases because of their cerebral migratory property and found lomerizine, used for the treatment of migraine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We evaluated the effect of lomerizine and its metabolites against U251 glioblastoma cells and temozolomide-resistant cells, T98G and GB-1, caused by the expression of O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase or P-glycoprotein, compared with temozolomide, and combined with it. The mechanism of action was investigated using inhibitors of necrosis or apoptosis.
RESULTS
Lomerizine and its metabolite (M6) inhibited the proliferation of glioblastoma cells with greater potency and efficacy than temozolomide, including against temozolomide-resistant cells. The effects of lomerizine and M6 on glioblastoma were mainly attributed to the inhibition of proliferation because cells were not rescued by cell death inhibitors, such as necrosis or apoptosis inhibitors, although they were slightly rescued by necrostatin-1. Additionally, lomerizine and M6 combined with temozolomide were more effective at inhibiting the proliferation of U251 and GB-1 cells at some doses than single treatments.
CONCLUSION
Lomerizine has been used for migraine treatment because of its brain-penetrating properties without serious side-effects; thus, it might potentially be expected to be used alone for glioblastoma, including temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma, or in combination with temozolomide.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Apoptosis; Temozolomide; Piperazines; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Brain Neoplasms; Dacarbazine
PubMed: 38925834
DOI: 10.21873/anticanres.17106 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Brain Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes; Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; Brain Diseases; Dexamethasone; Bevacizumab
PubMed: 38924746
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2405721 -
The New England Journal of Medicine Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Male; Brain Neoplasms; Glioblastoma; Immunotherapy, Adoptive; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen; T-Lymphocytes; Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic; Bevacizumab; Dexamethasone
PubMed: 38924745
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2405721 -
Journal of Neurovirology Jun 2024The cellular prion protein (PrP) is an extracellular cell membrane protein. Due to its diversified roles, a definite role of PrP has been difficult to establish. During...
The cellular prion protein (PrP) is an extracellular cell membrane protein. Due to its diversified roles, a definite role of PrP has been difficult to establish. During viral infection, PrP has been reported to play a pleiotropic role. Here, we have attempted to envision the function of PrP in the neurotropic m-CoV-MHV-RSA59-induced model of neuroinflammation in C57BL/6 mice. A significant upregulation of PrP at protein and mRNA levels was evident in infected mouse brains during the acute phase of neuroinflammation. Furthermore, investigation of the effect of MHV-RSA59 infection on PrP expression in specific neuronal, microglial, and astrocytoma cell lines, revealed a differential expression of prion protein during neuroinflammation. Additionally, siRNA-mediated downregulation of prnp transcripts reduced the expression of viral antigen and viral infectivity in these cell lines. Cumulatively, our results suggest that PrP expression significantly increases during acute MHV-RSA59 infection and that PrP also assists in viral infectivity and viral replication.
PubMed: 38922550
DOI: 10.1007/s13365-024-01215-w -
Cells Jun 2024The world of cancer treatment is evolving rapidly and has improved the prospects of many cancer patients. Yet, there are still many cancers where treatment prospects... (Review)
Review
The world of cancer treatment is evolving rapidly and has improved the prospects of many cancer patients. Yet, there are still many cancers where treatment prospects have not (or hardly) improved. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, and even though it is sensitive to many chemotherapeutics when tested under laboratory conditions, its clinical prospects are still very poor. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is considered at least partly responsible for the high failure rate of many promising treatment strategies. We describe the workings of the BBB during healthy conditions and within the glioblastoma environment. How the BBB acts as a barrier for therapeutic options is described as well as various approaches developed and tested for passing or opening the BBB, with the ultimate aim to allow access to brain tumors and improve patient perspectives.
Topics: Glioblastoma; Humans; Blood-Brain Barrier; Drug Delivery Systems; Brain Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents; Animals
PubMed: 38920629
DOI: 10.3390/cells13120998 -
Neurosurgery Jun 2024Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant astrocytomas central nervous system World Health Organization grade 2 and 3 show heterogeneous appearance on MRI. In the...
The T1/T2 Ratio is Associated With Resectability in Patients With Isocitrate Dehydrogenase-Mutant Astrocytomas Central Nervous System World Health Organization Grades 2 and 3.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant astrocytomas central nervous system World Health Organization grade 2 and 3 show heterogeneous appearance on MRI. In the premolecular era, the discrepancy between T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense tumor volume in absolute values has been proposed as a marker for diffuse tumor growth. We set out to investigate if a ratio of T1 to T2 tumor volume (T1/T2 ratio) is associated with resectability and overall survival (OS) in patients with IDH-mutant astrocytomas.
METHODS
Patient data from 2 centers (Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Center A; LMU University Hospital, Center B) were collected retrospectively. Inclusion criteria were as follows: pre and postoperative MRI scans available for volumetric analysis (I), diagnosis of an IDH-mutant astrocytoma between 2003 and 2021 (II), and tumor resection at initial diagnosis (III). Tumor volumes were manually segmented. The T1/T2 ratio was calculated and correlated with extent of resection, residual T2 tumor volume, and OS.
RESULTS
The study comprised 134 patients with 65 patients included from Center A and 69 patients from Center B. The median OS was 134 months and did not differ between the cohorts (P = .29). Overall, the median T1/T2 ratio was 0.79 (range 0.15-1.0). Tumors displaying a T1/T2 ratio of 0.33 or lower showed significantly larger residual tumor volumes postoperatively (median 17.9 cm3 vs 4.6 cm3, P = .03). The median extent of resection in these patients was 65% vs 90% (P = .03). The ratio itself did not correlate with OS. In multivariable analyses, larger postoperative tumor volumes were associated with shorter survival times (hazard ratio 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03, P < .01).
CONCLUSION
The T1/T2 ratio might be a good indicator for diffuse tumor growth on MRI and is associated with resectability in patients with IDH-mutant astrocytoma. This ratio might aid to identify patients in which an oncologically relevant tumor volume reduction cannot be safely achieved.
PubMed: 38920377
DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000003069 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2024Glioma is the most common primary intracranial neoplasm with a relatively poor prognosis.
INTRODUCTION
Glioma is the most common primary intracranial neoplasm with a relatively poor prognosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
Here, we present a unique case of a 53-year-old woman with two histopathologically distinct gliomas at the initial diagnosis. She presented with headaches and left limb weakness before admission, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed right frontal and basal ganglia area involvement combined with hemorrhage. The patient underwent a navigation-guided craniotomy for tumor removal. Pathological examination revealed the right frontal lobe lesion as a WHO grade II IDH-NOS astrocytoma, but the right parietal lobe lesion was a WHO grade IV IDH-mutant diffuse astrocytoma. Molecular detection of the parietal lesion revealed a point mutation at the R132 locus of the gene, no mutation in the promoter, amplification of the epidermal growth factor receptor, and a non-homozygous deletion.
DISCUSSION
In-depth epigenomic analysis and molecular examination revealed that one patient had two different brain tumors, underscoring the importance of performing a comprehensive brain tumor workup.
CONCLUSION
This unique case confirms that adjacent astrocytomas may have different molecular pathogenesis and provides novel insights into the development of gliomas.
PubMed: 38919539
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1308497 -
Medical Oncology (Northwood, London,... Jun 2024Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor, which, despite significant progress made in the last years in the field of neuro-oncology, remains an... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor, which, despite significant progress made in the last years in the field of neuro-oncology, remains an incurable disease. GBM has a poor prognosis with a median survival of 12-15 months, and its aggressive clinical course is related to rapid growth, extensive infiltration of adjacent tissues, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and frequent relapse. Currently, several molecular biomarkers are used in clinical practice to predict patient prognosis and response to treatment. However, due to the overall unsatisfactory efficacy of standard multimodal treatment and the remaining poor prognosis, there is an urgent need for new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for GBM. Recent evidence suggests that GBM tumorigenesis is associated with crosstalk between cancer, immune and stromal cells mediated by various cytokines. One of the key factors involved in this process appears to be interleukin-17 (IL-17), a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is significantly upregulated in the serum and tissue of GBM patients. IL-17 plays a key role in tumorigenesis, angiogenesis, and recurrence of GBM by activating pro-oncogenic signaling pathways and promoting cell survival, proliferation, and invasion. IL-17 facilitates the immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment by promoting immune cells infiltration and cytokine secretion. In this article we review the latest scientific reports to provide an update on the role of IL-17 role in tumorigenesis, tumor microenvironment, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of GBM.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Brain Neoplasms; Interleukin-17; Tumor Microenvironment; Biomarkers, Tumor; Prognosis
PubMed: 38918274
DOI: 10.1007/s12032-024-02434-1