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CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Apr 2024To investigate the key factors influencing glioma progression and the emergence of treatment resistance by examining the intrinsic connection between mutations in DNA...
AIMS
To investigate the key factors influencing glioma progression and the emergence of treatment resistance by examining the intrinsic connection between mutations in DNA damage and repair-related genes and the development of chemoresistance in gliomas.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive analysis of deep-targeted gene sequencing data from 228 glioma samples. This involved identifying differentially mutated genes across various glioma grades, assessing their functions, and employing I-TASSER for homology modeling. We elucidated the functional changes induced by high-frequency site mutations in these genes and investigated their impact on glioma progression.
RESULTS
The analysis of sequencing mutation results of deep targeted genes in integration revealed that ARID1A gene mutation occurs frequently in glioblastoma and alteration of ARID1A could affect the tolerance of glioma cells to temozolomide treatment. The deletion of proline at position 16 in the ARID1A protein affected the stability of binding of the SWI/SNF core subunit BRG1, which in turn affected the stability of the SWI/SNF complex and led to altered histone modifications in the CDKN1A promoter region, thereby affecting the biological activity of glioma cells, as inferred from modeling and protein interaction analysis.
CONCLUSION
The ARID1A gene is a critical predictive biomarker for glioma. Mutations at the ARID1A locus alter the stability of the SWI/SNF complex, leading to changes in transcriptional regulation in glioma cells. This contributes to an increased malignant phenotype of GBM and plays a pivotal role in mediating chemoresistance.
Topics: Humans; DNA-Binding Proteins; Glioblastoma; Mutation; Nuclear Proteins; Temozolomide; Transcription Factors
PubMed: 38600891
DOI: 10.1111/cns.14698 -
Swiss Medical Weekly Dec 2023The development of immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors dramatically improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma. Consequently, chemotherapy is now rarely...
BACKGROUND
The development of immunotherapy and tyrosine kinase inhibitors dramatically improved the prognosis of metastatic melanoma. Consequently, chemotherapy is now rarely used. Here, we describe the characteristics of long-surviving patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immunochemotherapy.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We retrieved retrospective clinical and pathological data for patients diagnosed with metastatic melanoma between January 1993 and December 2015 who received the CVD-INF (cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, and interferon α-2b) regimen at the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève. We estimated their progression-free survival and overall survival. This ad hoc study's primary aim was to describe the clinical and biological characteristics of long-term survivors, defined as patients surviving more than two years after immunochemotherapy initiation. The spatial distribution pattern of CD8+ T cells (inflamed, excluded, or desert) was immunohistochemically determined.
RESULTS
Ninety patients received CVD-INF. Their median age at metastatic melanoma diagnosis was 55 years (20-75). Their median progression-free survival was 2.8 months, and median overall survival was 7.2 months. Eleven (12%) patients were long-term survivors. In multivariate analysis, central nervous system metastases (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43-4.95; p = 0.001), multiple metastases (HR: 1.82; 95% CI: 1.01-3.29; p = 0.047), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (HR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.12-3.30; p = 0.016) were independently associated with shorter survival. Most long-survivors (6/8; 75%) had a tumour-inflamed pattern compared to 25% of non-long survivors (5/20; Fisher's test p = 0.030).
CONCLUSIONS
A subset of patients with metastatic melanoma and a tumour-inflamed phenotype treated with CVD-INF survived over two years. Factors associated with prolonged survival are consistent with those previously reported in metastatic melanoma.
Topics: Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; Melanoma; Retrospective Studies; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Treatment Outcome; Interleukin-2; Cardiovascular Diseases; Skin Neoplasms
PubMed: 38579317
DOI: 10.57187/s.3504 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Feb 2024The role of consolidation radiation therapy (CRT) after complete metabolic response to chemotherapy in advanced-stage (stage III and IV) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is...
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
The role of consolidation radiation therapy (CRT) after complete metabolic response to chemotherapy in advanced-stage (stage III and IV) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is controversial. This study was undertaken to assess the clinical outcomes in terms of event free survival, local failure free survival and overall survival in individuals with advanced HL treated with chemotherapy and CRT.
METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted to study the long-term clinical outcomes in individuals diagnosed with HL and treated with chemotherapy and CRT from 2012 to 2016 at a tertiary cancer care hospital in India.
RESULTS
Data from 203 study participants with advanced-stage HL were analyzed. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was done at baseline and after 2 cycles for response assessment. The median age at presentation was 32 yr [interquartile range (IQR): 26-46]. Early metabolic response (after 2 cycles) and delayed metabolic response (after 4 or 6 cycles) were observed in 74.4 and 25.6 per cent of individuals, respectively. With a median follow up of 52 months (IQR: 40-67), the five-year event-free survival (EFS), local failure-free survival (LFFS) and overall survival (OS) were 83.2, 95.1 and 94.6 per cent, respectively. On univariate analysis, extranodal disease was associated with inferior EFS (P=0.043). Haemoglobin <10.5 g/dl (P=0.002) and Hasenclever index >3 (P=0.00047) were associated with poorer OS. Relapses were observed in 28/203 (13.8%) study participants with predominance at central nodal stations. The median time to relapse was 19.4 months (IQR: 13-33). Local relapse alone (at the irradiated site) was observed in 5/28 study participants, systemic (distant) relapse in 14/28 individuals, while both systemic and local relapse was observed in 9/28 participants. Extranodal disease (P=0.05), bulky disease (P=0.005) and haemoglobin concentration ≤10.5 g/dl (P=0.036) were significant predictors for disease relapse.
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with advanced-stage HL treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy (anthracycline-based chemotherapy with doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine regimen) and CRT had excellent long-term outcomes. As isolated infield failures are uncommon, selective consolidation with conformal RT to high-risk sites improves final disease outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Hodgkin Disease; Retrospective Studies; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Dacarbazine; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Combined Modality Therapy; Doxorubicin; Recurrence; Hemoglobins; Neoplasm Staging; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38577858
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_3459_21 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as antibodies against cytotoxicity T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1...
INTRODUCTION
Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as antibodies against cytotoxicity T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) have become an important armamentarium against a broad spectrum of malignancies. However, these specific inhibitors can cause adverse autoimmune reactions by impairing self-tolerance. Hematologic side effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), are rare but can be life-threatening.
CASE REPORT
Herein, we report two patients on immune checkpoint inhibitors for metastatic melanoma who developed AIHA with symptoms of dyspnea and fatigue. In the first patient, symptoms alleviated after discontinuation of combined anti CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapy, initiation of corticosteroids and application of a single red blood cell transfusion. Due to subsequent progress of melanoma, combinational anti-PD-1 and tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy was initiated based on multidisciplinary tumor board decision. After two months, she again developed the described hematological and clinical signs of AIHA leading to cessation of anti-PD-1 therapy and initiation of corticosteroids, which again resulted in an alleviation of her symptoms. Due to further progression, the patient received dacarbazine for several months before she decided to stop any therapy other than palliative supportive care. In the second patient, discontinuation of anti-PD-1 therapy and initiation of corticosteroids entailed a complete alleviation of his symptoms. After refusing chemotherapy due to subsequent melanoma progression, he received radiotherapy of bone metastases and is currently enrolled in a clinical trial. The patient did not develop AIHA ever since.
CONCLUSION
Hematologic immune-related adverse events due to treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors are rare but can have life-threatening consequences. If dyspnea and other clinical symptoms are present, AIHA should be considered as a potential cause and treated promptly in a multidisciplinary setting. An expanded comprehension of risk factors and pathogenesis of AIHA is needed to identify high-risk patients beforehand, leading to more effective predictive and reactive treatment approaches.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Melanoma; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Dyspnea; Adrenal Cortex Hormones
PubMed: 38571955
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1342845 -
Acta Neurochirurgica Apr 2024Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Despite advances in multimodal concepts over the last decades, prognosis remains poor. Treatment of... (Review)
Review
Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Despite advances in multimodal concepts over the last decades, prognosis remains poor. Treatment of patients with glioblastoma remains a considerable challenge due to the infiltrative nature of the tumor, rapid growth rates, and tumor heterogeneity. Standard therapy consists of maximally safe microsurgical resection followed by adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy with temozolomide. In recent years, local therapies have been extensively investigated in experimental as well as translational levels. External stimuli-responsive therapies such as Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), Sonodynamic Therapy (SDT) and Radiodynamic Therapy (RDT) can induce cell death mechanisms via generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after administration of five-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), which induces the formation of sensitizing porphyrins within tumor tissue. Preliminary data from clinical trials are available. The aim of this review is to summarize the status of such therapeutic approaches as an adjunct to current standard therapy in glioblastoma.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Aminolevulinic Acid; Fluorescence; Temozolomide; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 38563988
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-024-06049-3 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... Jan 2024Treatment options for patients with metastatic sarcoma are limited. The goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of temozolomide in pretreated patients...
BACKGROUND
Treatment options for patients with metastatic sarcoma are limited. The goal of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of temozolomide in pretreated patients with soft tissue sarcoma.
METHODS
We recorded the pathological, clinical, and treatment data of the patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma retrospectively. We evaluated the efficacy and side effects of temozolomide in this patient group.
RESULTS
This study involved 16 patients. The average age was detected as 48 (21-73) years. Six (37.5%) patients had de-novo metastatic disease at diagnosis. Primary of tumors had originated from intra-abdominal (43.7%), extremity (31.3%), head-and-neck (12.5%), and intrathoracic (12.5%) regions. The patients previously had received at least two different chemotherapy regimens (75%), pazopanib (50%) and palliative radiotherapy (31.3%). Temozolomide-related median progression-free survival time was found as 3.5 (95% CI, 2.6-4.3) months. One patient (6.3%) had a partial response, while four patients (25%) had stable disease. Nine individuals (56.3%) had grade 1-2 adverse events, while one patient (6.3%) had grade 3-4 adverse events.
CONCLUSIONS
We observed that temozolomide was well tolerated but had limited efficacy in the treatment of metastatic sarcoma patients. In patients with extensively pretreated soft tissue sarcoma, temozolomide may be considered a therapeutic option as a single-agent.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Temozolomide; Salvage Therapy; Retrospective Studies; Sarcoma; Soft Tissue Neoplasms
PubMed: 38554304
DOI: 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1827_22 -
Advances in Radiation Oncology May 2024The role of consolidative radiation therapy (RT) in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma with initial bulk is unclear. GITIL/FIL HD0607 and FIL HD0801, 2 randomized...
PURPOSE
The role of consolidative radiation therapy (RT) in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma with initial bulk is unclear. GITIL/FIL HD0607 and FIL HD0801, 2 randomized controlled trials with similar design and methodologies, did not identify a benefit to consolidative RT after a metabolic complete response to 6 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine. However, their limited sample sizes reduced statistical power to detect a small but clinically meaningful benefit to RT.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
In a secondary analysis of these 2 phase 3 trials, reconstructed patient data were used to compare outcomes for early and complete responders randomized to no RT or RT to the site(s) of initial bulk. Estimates of progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were generated using the combined data and compared between groups using the log-rank test.
RESULTS
A total of 412 patients were included in the ITT analysis, and 373 patients were included in the PP analysis. Median age was 30 to 32 years, 42% of patients were stage IIB, and 73% of bulky sites were located in the mediastinum. For the no RT versus RT groups, 5-year ITT PFS estimates were 90.1% versus 90.1%, respectively ( = .81). Five-year PP PFS rates were 90.9% versus 92.9%, respectively ( = .31). There was no observed difference between no RT and RT groups in subgroups according to size of bulky disease: 5 to 7 cm ( = .78), 7 to 10 cm ( = .25), and >10 cm ( = .69).
CONCLUSIONS
In this combined analysis of 2 randomized phase 3 clinical trials, consolidative RT to initial sites of bulky nodal involvement was not associated with a PFS benefit in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma in metabolic complete response after 2 and 6 cycles of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine.
PubMed: 38550369
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2024.101450 -
Haematologica Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Aged; Temozolomide; Central Nervous System Neoplasms; Follow-Up Studies; Male; Female; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Aged, 80 and over; Maintenance Chemotherapy; Lymphoma; Dacarbazine; Treatment Outcome; Middle Aged; Cancer Survivors
PubMed: 38546689
DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2024.285207 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Glioblastoma multiforme therapy remains a significant challenge since there is a lack of effective treatment for this cancer. As most of the examined gliomas express or...
Repurposed Drugs Celecoxib and Fmoc-L-Leucine Alone and in Combination as Temozolomide-Resistant Antiglioma Agents-Comparative Studies on Normal and Immortalized Cell Lines, and on .
Glioblastoma multiforme therapy remains a significant challenge since there is a lack of effective treatment for this cancer. As most of the examined gliomas express or overexpress cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ), we decided to use these proteins as therapeutic targets. Toxicity, antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and antimigratory activity of COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib-CXB) and/or PPARγ agonist (Fmoc-L-Leucine-FL) was examined in vitro on temozolomide resistant U-118 MG glioma cell line and comparatively on BJ normal fibroblasts and immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes. The in vivo activity of both agents was studied on nematode. Both drugs effectively destroyed U-118 MG glioma cells via antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-migratory effects in a concentration range 50-100 µM. The mechanism of action of CXB and FL against glioma was COX-2 and PPARγ dependent and resulted in up-regulation of these factors. Unlike reports by other authors, we did not observe the expected synergistic or additive effect of both drugs. Comparative studies on normal BJ fibroblast cells and immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes showed that the tested drugs did not have a selective effect on glioma cells and their mechanism of action differs significantly from that observed in the case of glioma. HaCaTs did not react with concomitant changes in the expression of COX-2 and PPARγ and were resistant to FL. Safety tests of repurposing drugs used in cancer therapy tested on nematode indicated that CXB, FL, or their mixture at a concentration of up to 100 µM had no significant effect on the entire nematode organism up to 4th day of incubation. After a 7-day treatment, CXB significantly shortened the lifespan of at 25-400 µM concentration and body length at 50-400 µM concentration.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Celecoxib; Temozolomide; Caenorhabditis elegans; Cyclooxygenase 2; PPAR gamma; Sulfonamides; Pyrazoles; Apoptosis; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Cell Line; Glioblastoma; Cell Line, Tumor; Leucine
PubMed: 38542198
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063226 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024A glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive, infiltrative, and treatment-resistant malignancies of the central nervous system (CNS). The current standard of care... (Review)
Review
A glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive, infiltrative, and treatment-resistant malignancies of the central nervous system (CNS). The current standard of care for GBMs include maximally safe tumor resection, followed by concurrent adjuvant radiation treatment and chemotherapy with the DNA alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ), which was approved by the FDA in 2005 based on a marginal increase (~2 months) in overall survival (OS) levels. This treatment approach, while initially successful in containing and treating GBM, almost invariably fails to prevent tumor recurrence. In addition to the limited therapeutic benefit, TMZ also causes debilitating adverse events (AEs) that significantly impact the quality of life of GBM patients. Some of the most common AEs include hematologic (e.g., thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, anemia) and non-hematologic (e.g., nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness) toxicities. Recurrent GBMs are often resistant to TMZ and other DNA-damaging agents. Thus, there is an urgent need to devise strategies to potentiate TMZ activity, to overcome drug resistance, and to reduce dose-dependent AEs. Here, we analyze major mechanisms of the TMZ resistance-mediated intracellular signaling activation of DNA repair pathways and the overexpression of drug transporters. We review some of the approaches investigated to counteract these mechanisms of resistance to TMZ, including the use of chemosensitizers and drug delivery strategies to enhance tumoral drug exposure.
Topics: Humans; Temozolomide; Glioblastoma; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Quality of Life; Brain Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; DNA; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38542190
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063217