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Surgical Neurology International 2024Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive neoplasms recognized as derivatives of the notochord vestiges. These tumors typically involve the midline axial skeleton, and...
BACKGROUND
Chordomas are rare, locally aggressive neoplasms recognized as derivatives of the notochord vestiges. These tumors typically involve the midline axial skeleton, and intracranial chordomas exhibit proclivity for the spheno-occipital region. However, purely intrasellar occurrences are extremely rare. We report a case of intrasellar chordoma, which masqueraded as a pituitary neuroendocrine tumor.
CASE DESCRIPTION
An 87-year-old female presented with an acutely altered mental state after a few-week course of headaches and decreased left vision. Adrenal insufficiency was evident, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intrasellar lesion with heterogeneous contrast enhancement and marked T2 hyperintensity. Central adrenal insufficiency due to an intrasellar lesion was suspected. Cortisol replacement was initiated, and transsphenoidal surgery was performed. Anterosuperior displacement of the normal pituitary gland and the absence of the bony dorsum sellae were notable during the procedure. Histological examination led to a diagnosis of conventional chordoma, and upfront adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery was executed. She has been free from tumor progression for 12 months.
CONCLUSION
This case and literature review suggested that the pathognomonic features of intrasellar chordoma were heterogeneous contrast enhancement, marked T2 hyperintensity, osteolytic destruction of the dorsum sellae, and anterosuperior displacement of the pituitary gland. Clinical outcomes seemed slightly worse than those of all skull base chordomas, which were the rationale for upfront radiosurgery in our case. Neurosurgeons should include intrasellar chordomas in the differential diagnosis of intrasellar lesions, carefully dissect them from the adjacent critical anatomical structures, and consider upfront radiosurgery to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38840611
DOI: 10.25259/SNI_116_2024 -
Journal of Experimental & Clinical... Jun 2024Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was historically considered to be less responsive to radiation therapy (RT) compared to other cancer indications. However, advancements in...
BACKGROUND
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was historically considered to be less responsive to radiation therapy (RT) compared to other cancer indications. However, advancements in precision high-dose radiation delivery through single-fraction and multi-fraction stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) have led to better outcomes and reduced treatment-related toxicities, sparking renewed interest in using RT to treat RCC. Moreover, numerous studies have revealed that certain therapeutic agents including chemotherapies can increase the sensitivity of tumors to RT, leading to a growing interest in combining these treatments. Here, we developed a rational combination of two radiosensitizers in a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation for augmenting RT in RCC. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a tumor-targeted liposomal formulation combining the mTOR inhibitor everolimus (E) with the survivin inhibitor YM155 (Y) in enhancing the sensitivity of RCC tumors to radiation.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
We slightly modified our previously published tumor-targeted liposomal formulation to develop a rational combination of E and Y in a single liposomal formulation (EY-L) and assessed its efficacy in RCC cell lines in vitro and in RCC tumors in vivo. We further investigated how well EY-L sensitizes RCC cell lines and tumors toward radiation and explored the underlying mechanism of radiosensitization.
RESULTS
EY-L outperformed the corresponding single drug-loaded formulations E-L and Y-L in terms of containing primary tumor growth and improving survival in an immunocompetent syngeneic mouse model of RCC. EY-L also exhibited significantly higher sensitization of RCC cells towards radiation in vitro than E-L and Y-L. Additionally, EY-L sensitized RCC tumors towards radiation therapy in xenograft and murine RCC models. EY-L mediated induction of mitotic catastrophe via downregulation of multiple cell cycle checkpoints and DNA damage repair pathways could be responsible for the augmentation of radiation therapy.
CONCLUSION
Taken together, our study demonstrated the efficacy of a strategic combination therapy in sensitizing RCC to radiation therapy via inhibition of DNA damage repair and a substantial increase in mitotic catastrophe. This combination therapy may find its use in the augmentation of radiation therapy during the treatment of RCC patients.
Topics: Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Animals; Survivin; Humans; Mice; Cell Line, Tumor; Kidney Neoplasms; DNA Repair; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Mitosis; Imidazoles; DNA Damage; Everolimus; Naphthoquinones; Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; Liposomes; MTOR Inhibitors
PubMed: 38840237
DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-03079-8 -
ESMO Open Jun 2024Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) do not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. However, the phase II study CheckPAC (NCT02866383)...
BACKGROUND
Most patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) do not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. However, the phase II study CheckPAC (NCT02866383) showed a clinical benefit (CB) rate of 37% and a response rate of 14% in patients with metastatic PDAC receiving stereotactic radiation therapy and nivolumab with or without ipilimumab. Translational studies were initiated to characterize the patients who would benefit from this treatment. Here, we evaluated the association between treatment outcome and 92 circulating immuno-oncology-related proteins in patients from the CheckPAC trial.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study included 78 patients with chemoresistant metastatic PDAC treated with nivolumab ± ipilimumab combined with radiotherapy. Proteins were measured in serum samples collected at baseline and on treatment with the use of the Olink Target 96 Immuno-Oncology panel. A cohort of 234 patients with metastatic PDAC treated with first-line chemotherapy were also included.
RESULTS
High levels of Fas ligand (FASLG) and galectin 1 (Gal-1) and low levels of C-C motif chemokine 4 were associated with CB. High FASLG and Gal-1 were associated with longer progression-free survival in univariable analysis. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the association was significant for Gal-1 (P < 0.001) but not significant for FASLG (P = 0.06). A focused unsupervised hierarchal clustering analysis, including T-cell activation and immune checkpoint-related proteins, identified clusters of patients with higher CB rate and higher tumor expression of leukocyte or T-cell markers (CD3, CD45, granzyme B). Thirty-six proteins increased significantly during immunotherapy. Several proteins (including FASLG, checkpoint proteins, and immune activation markers) increased independently of response during immunotherapy but did not increase in the cohort of patients treated with chemotherapy.
CONCLUSIONS
Circulating levels of immune-related proteins like FASLG and Gal-1 might be used to predict the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with metastatic PDAC.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Male; Female; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Aged; Middle Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Ipilimumab; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38838501
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.103489 -
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual... Jun 2024The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent of DNA breaks in primary uveal melanoma (UM) with regard to radiotherapy dose delivery (single-dose versus...
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the extent of DNA breaks in primary uveal melanoma (UM) with regard to radiotherapy dose delivery (single-dose versus fractionated) and monosomy 3 status.
METHODS
A total of 54 patients with UM were included. Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) was performed in 23 patients, with 8 undergoing single-dose SRT (sdSRT) treatment and 15 receiving fractionated SRT (fSRT). DNA breaks in the enucleated or endoresected tumors were visualized by a TUNEL assay and quantified by measuring the TUNEL-positive area. Protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Co-detection of chromosome 3 with proteins was performed by immuno-fluorescent in situ hybridization.
RESULTS
The amount of DNA breaks in the total irradiated group was increased by 2.7-fold (P < 0.001) compared to non-irradiated tissue. Tumors treated with fSRT were affected more severely, showing 2.1-fold more DNA damage (P = 0.007) compared to the cases after single (high) dose irradiation (sdSRT). Monosomy 3 tumors showed less DNA breaks compared to disomy 3 samples (P = 0.004). The presence of metastases after radiotherapy correlated with monosomy 3 and less DNA breaks compared to patients with non-metastatic cancer in the combined group with fSRT and sdSRT (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Fractionated irradiation led to more DNA damage than single-dose treatment in primary UM. As tumors with monosomy 3 showed less DNA breaks than those with disomy 3, this may indicate that they are less radiosensitive, which may influence the efficacy of irradiation.
Topics: Humans; Uveal Neoplasms; Melanoma; Female; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3; Male; Middle Aged; Aged; DNA Damage; Adult; Aged, 80 and over; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Radiotherapy Dosage; Immunohistochemistry; Radiosurgery; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
PubMed: 38833258
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.6.7 -
Cureus Apr 2024Inflammatory pseudotumor encompasses a spectrum of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions characterized by a histological pattern featuring a proliferation of...
Inflammatory pseudotumor encompasses a spectrum of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions characterized by a histological pattern featuring a proliferation of cytologically bland spindle cells, accompanied by a prominent chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Within this spectrum, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) has emerged as a distinct entity over the past two decades, marked by unique clinical, pathological, and molecular characteristics. Typically affecting the visceral soft tissues of children and adolescents, IMT exhibits a propensity for local recurrence while posing a minimal risk of distant metastasis. They are extremely rare in adults, constituting less than 1% of adult lung tumors. Our patient, a 63-year-old female, has an intricate medical background, encompassing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a previous history of smoking (35 pack-years, quit a year before admission), coronary artery disease, non-obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea. Presenting with a diagnostic dilemma, she recently received treatment for non-small cell carcinoma with radiation therapy, which has evolved into a swiftly advancing case of IMT.
PubMed: 38817466
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59359 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... May 2024Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising new modality for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The current study evaluated the efficacy and...
PURPOSE
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising new modality for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The current study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of SBRT in patients with LAPC (NCT03648632).
METHODS
This prospective single institution phase II study recruited patients with histologically or cytologically proven adenocarcinoma of the pancreas after more than two months of combination chemotherapy with no sign of progressive disease. Patients were prescribed 50-60 Gy in 5-8 fractions. Patients were initially treated on a standard linac (n = 4). Since 2019, patients were treated using online magnetic resonance (MR) image-guidance on a 1.5 T MRI-linac, where the treatment plan was adapted to the anatomy of the day. The primary endpoint was resection rate.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients were enrolled between August 2018 and March 2022. All patients had non-resectable disease at time of diagnosis. Median follow-up from inclusion was 28.3 months (95 % CI 24.0-NR). Median progression-free and overall survival from inclusion were 7.8 months (95 % CI 5.0-14.8) and 16.5 months (95 % CI 10.7-22.6), respectively. Six patients experienced grade III treatment-related adverse events (jaundice, nausea, vomiting and/or constipation). One of the initial four patients receiving treatment on a standard linac experienced a grade IV perforation of the duodenum. Six patients (21 %) underwent resection. A further one patient was offered resection but declined.
CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that SBRT in patients with LAPC was associated with promising overall survival and resection rates. Furthermore, SBRT was safe and well tolerated, with limited severe toxicities.
PubMed: 38815694
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2024.110347 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Primary central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PCNS-PTLD) is a rare condition, posing diagnostic and treatment challenges, with...
BACKGROUND
Primary central nervous system post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PCNS-PTLD) is a rare condition, posing diagnostic and treatment challenges, with histological biopsy essential for diagnosis. Standardized treatment protocols are lacking. This disease requires urgent attention due to the increasing number of organ transplant surgeries and the use of immunosuppressive agents.
METHODS
From 2020 to 2023, our center diagnosed five patients with PCNS-PTLD. We reviewed their clinical records and conducted a comprehensive analysis of 22 literatures on PCNS-PTLD cases following renal transplantation or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
RESULTS
Four patients had previously received a kidney transplant, one had undergone allogeneic HSCT. The median time from the last transplant surgery to the diagnosis of PCNS-PTLD differs between kidney transplant (21.5 years) and allogeneic HSCT (9 months). Common symptoms included motor weakness ( = 4), headache ( = 2), confusion ( = 2), and nausea ( = 2), with ring-enhancing ( = 5), typically solitary ( = 3) and supratentorial ( = 3) lesions on imaging. Diagnosis involved robot-assisted stereotactic brain biopsy ( = 4) or craniotomy ( = 1), all showing Epstein-Barr virus and CD20 positivity. Most cases ( = 4) were monomorphic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Treatment included rituximab ( = 3), surgical resection ( = 2), zanubrutinib ( = 1), whole-brain radiation ( = 1), and methotrexate ( = 1). At the last follow-up, the median duration of follow-up for all patients was 19 months. During this time, 3 patients had died and 2 patients were still alive.
CONCLUSION
In patients with a history of kidney transplantation or allogeneic HSCT who are on long-term immunosuppressive therapy, any neurological symptoms, particularly the presence of supratentorial ring-enhancing masses in the brain on imaging, whether solitary or multiple, should raise high suspicion for this disease, warranting a timely brain biopsy. Additionally, we found that besides reducing immunosuppressants, zanubrutinib may be a potential, safe, and effective treatment for this condition. Moreover, post-surgical administration of rituximab in conjunction with whole-brain radiotherapy also appears to be a potentially safe and effective approach.
PubMed: 38813246
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1392691 -
Radiation Oncology (London, England) May 2024Local treatment options for locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LR-PAC) are limited, with median survival time (MST) of 9-13 months (mos) following recurrence....
BACKGROUND
Local treatment options for locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LR-PAC) are limited, with median survival time (MST) of 9-13 months (mos) following recurrence. MRI-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (MRgSBRT) provides the ability to dose escalate while sparing normal tissue. Here we report on the early outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC.
METHODS
Patients with prior resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with local recurrence treated with MRgSBRT at a single tertiary referral center from 5-2021 to 2-2023 were identified from our prospective database. MRgSBRT was delivered to 40-50 Gy in 4-5 fractions with target and OAR delineation per institutional standards. Endpoints included local control per RECIST v1.1, distant failure, overall survival (OS), and acute and chronic toxicities per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v5.
RESULTS
Fifteen patients with LR-PAC were identified with median follow-up of 10.6 mos (2.8-26.5 mos) from MRgSBRT. There were 8 females and 7 males, with a median age of 69 years (50-83). One patient underwent neoadjuvant radiation for 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions followed by resection, and one underwent adjuvant radiation for 45 Gy in 25 fractions prior to recurrence. MRgSBRT was delivered a median of 18.8 mos (3.5-52.8 mos) following resection. OS following recurrence at 6 and 12 mos were 87% and 51%, respectively, with a median survival time of 14.1 mos (3.2-27.4 mos). Three patients experienced local failure at 5.9, 7.8, and 16.6 months from MgSBRT with local control of 92.3% and 83.9% at 6 and 12 months. 10 patients experienced distant failure at a median of 2.9 mos (0.3-6.7 mos). Grade 1-2 acute GI toxicity was noted in 47% of patients, and chronic GI toxicity in 31% of patients. No grade > 3 toxicities were noted.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on toxicity and outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC in the literature. MRgSBRT is a safe, feasible treatment modality with the potential for improved local control in this vulnerable population. Future research is necessary to better identify which patients yield the most benefit from MRgSBRT, which should continue to be used with systemic therapy as tolerated.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Jefferson IRB#20976, approved 2/17/21.
Topics: Humans; Male; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Female; Aged; Radiosurgery; Middle Aged; Adenocarcinoma; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Aged, 80 and over; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Radiotherapy, Image-Guided; Survival Rate; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38812040
DOI: 10.1186/s13014-024-02457-y -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... May 2024The study aims to investigate whether including the inflammation-related parameters would enhance the accuracy of a nomogram for local control (LC) prediction in lung...
Incorporating the inflammation-related parameters enhances the performance of the nomogram for predicting local control in lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy.
PURPOSE
The study aims to investigate whether including the inflammation-related parameters would enhance the accuracy of a nomogram for local control (LC) prediction in lung cancer patients undergoing stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
METHODS
158 primary or metastatic lung cancer patients treated with SBRT were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical, dosimetric and inflammation-related parameters were collected for the Cox regression analysis. The ACPB model was constructed by employing the clinical and dosimetric factors. And the ACPBLN model was established by adding the inflammation-related factors to the ACPB model. The two models were compared in terms of ROC, Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), C-index, time-dependent AUC, continuous net reclassification index (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA).
RESULTS
Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that six prognostic factors were independently associated with LC, including age, clinical stage, planning target volume (PTV) volume, BED of the prescribed dose (BEDPD), the lymphocyte count and neutrocyte count. The ACPBLN model performed better in AIC, bootstrap-corrected C-index, time-dependent AUC, NRI and IDI than the ACPB model. The calibration plots showed good consistency between the probabilities and observed values in the two models. The DCA curves showed that the ACPBLN nomogram had higher overall net benefit than the ACPB model across a majority of threshold probabilities.
CONCLUSION
The inflammation-related parameters were associated with LC for lung cancer patients treated with SBRT. The inclusion of the inflammation-related parameters improved the predictive performance of the nomogram for LC prediction.
Topics: Humans; Nomograms; Radiosurgery; Lung Neoplasms; Female; Male; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Inflammation; Aged, 80 and over; Prognosis; Adult
PubMed: 38811379
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-024-05811-5 -
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2024Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder, is characterized by the development of fibrofolliculomas, lung cysts and subsequent recurrent pneumothorax,...
Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, an extremely rare genetic disorder, is characterized by the development of fibrofolliculomas, lung cysts and subsequent recurrent pneumothorax, and kidney neoplasia. This report highlights the case of a 56-year-old female with a history of right vestibular schwannoma status post stereotactic radiotherapy and vulva bartholin's gland carcinoma who was initially evaluated by primary care for a 6-month history of intermittent, red, raised, widespread rash accompanied by fever, chills, and body aches. A punch biopsy of the rash was performed, which was notable for an urticarial tissue reaction with focal changes of leukocytoclasia and negative direct immunofluorescence. Laboratory tests, which included an autoimmune genetic and periodic fever panel, were unremarkable. Whole genome sequencing returned positive for a pathogenic variant in folliculin gene, consistent with a diagnosis of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome.
PubMed: 38803360
DOI: 10.1177/2050313X241251759