RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) has a 5-year survival rate of 3%-5%. GBM treatment includes maximal resection followed by radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ). Cytochrome C oxidase (CcO) is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in the mechanism of resistance to TMZ. In a prior retrospective trial, CcO activity in GBMs inversely correlated with clinical outcome. The current Cyto-C study was designed to prospectively evaluate and validate the prognostic value of tumor CcO activity in patients with newly diagnosed primary GBM, and compared to the known prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation status. METHODS: This multi-institutional, blinded, prospective biomarker study enrolled 152 patients with newly diagnosed GBM who were to undergo surgical resection and would be candidates for standard of care. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) time, and the secondary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) time. Tumor CcO activity and MGMT promoter methylation status were assayed in a centralized laboratory. RESULTS: OS and PFS did not differ by high or low tumor CcO activity, and the prognostic validity of MGMT promoter methylation was confirmed. Notably, a planned exploratory analysis suggested that the combination of low CcO activity and MGMT promoter methylation in tumors may be predictive of long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor CcO activity alone was not confirmed as a prognostic marker in GBM patients. However, the combination of low CcO activity and methylated MGMT promoter may reveal a subgroup of GBM patients with improved long-term survival that warrants further evaluation. Our work also demonstrates the importance of performing large, multi-institutional, prospective studies to validate biomarkers. We also discuss lessons learned in assembling such studies.
RESUMO
Objective. To describe a unique presentation of neurosarcoidosis. Background. Central nervous system involvement is rare in sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis can be severe and can be mistaken for systemic lymphoma. Case Description. A 55-year-old right-handed white male with past medical history of obstructive sleep apnea, Raynaud's disease, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was noted to have cognitive decline over a duration of few weeks and 20 lb weight loss. His neurologic exam (including cranial nerves) was normal except for five-minute recall. Head CT revealed a lacrimal gland mass, confirmed on brain MRI, which was suspicious for lymphoma on brain PET/MRI. Subsequent whole-body FDG PET/CT scan showed multiple enlarged lymph nodes. Bone marrow biopsy was negative. Serum and CSF ACE levels were within normal limits. Supraclavicular lymph node biopsy before steroids therapy was initiated and revealed multiple noncaseating granulomas, diagnostic of "sarcoidosis." He was treated with daily prednisone for two months, followed by weekly infliximab. Brain MRI two months after treatment with prednisone showed decrease in size of lacrimal lesion, and brain PET/MRI showed normal brain metabolism pattern after five months. Neurocognitive evaluation three months after diagnosis demonstrated improvements in memory abilities. Discussion. Both clinically and radiographically, neurosarcoidosis can mimic systemic lymphoma. Biopsy in these types of cases is necessary to establish the diagnosis.