LC3-associated phagocytosis of neutrophils triggers tumor ferroptotic cell death in glioblastoma.

Necrosis in solid tumors is commonly associated with poor prognostic but how these lesions expand remains unclear. Studies have found that neutrophils associate with and contribute to necrosis development in glioblastoma by inducing tumor cell ferroptosis through transferring myeloperoxidase-containing granules. However, the mechanism of neutrophilic granule transfer remains elusive. We performed an unbiased small molecule screen and found that statins inhibit neutrophil-induced tumor cell death by blocking the neutrophilic granule transfer. Further, we identified a novel process wherein neutrophils are engulfed by tumor cells before releasing myeloperoxidase-containing contents into tumor cells. This neutrophil engulfment is initiated by integrin-mediated adhesion, and further mediated by LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), which can be blocked by inhibiting the Vps34-UVRAG-RUBCN-containing PI3K complex. Myeloperoxidase inhibition or Vps34 depletion resulted in reduced necrosis formation and prolonged mouse survival in an orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model. Thus, our study unveils a critical role for LAP-mediated neutrophil internalization in facilitating the transfer of neutrophilic granules, which in turn triggers tumor cell death and necrosis expansion. Targeting this process holds promise for improving glioblastoma prognosis.

Older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: Survival and prognostication across 20 U.S. cancer centers.

There is a paucity of large-scale data delineating outcomes and prognostication of older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We retrospectively analyzed 539 newly-diagnosed PCNSL patients ages ≥60 years across 20 U.S. academic centers. The median age was 70 years (range 60-88); at least one geriatric syndrome was present in 46%; the median Cumulative Index Ratings Scale-Geriatrics (CIRS-G) score was 6 (range, 0-27); and 36% had impairment in activities of daily living (ADL). The most common induction regimens were high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) ± rituximab; methotrexate, temozolomide, rituximab (MTR); and rituximab, methotrexate, procarbazine, vincristine (R-MPV). Overall, 70% of patients achieved remission, with 14% undergoing consolidative autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and 24% receiving maintenance. With 58-month median follow-up, median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 17 months (95% CI 13-22 months) and 43 months (95% CI 31-56 months), respectively. Three-year PFS and OS were highest with MTR (55% and 74%, respectively). With single-agent methotrexate ± rituximab, 3-year PFS and OS were 30% (p = .0002) and 47% (p = .0072). On multivariate analysis, increasing age at diagnosis and Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) was associated with inferior PFS; age, hypoalbuminemia, higher CIRS-G score, and ECOG PS adversely affected OS. Among patients receiving maintenance, 3-year PFS was 65% versus 45% without maintenance (p = 0.02), with 3-year OS of 84% versus 61%, respectively (p = .0003). Altogether, outcomes in older PCNSL patients appeared optimized with HD-MTX combination induction regimens and maintenance therapy. Furthermore, several prognostic factors, including geriatric measures, were associated with inferior outcomes.

CloneRetriever: An Automated Algorithm to Identify Clonal B and T Cell Gene Rearrangements by Next-Generation Sequencing for the Diagnosis of Lymphoid Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Clonal immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor rearrangements serve as tumor-specific markers that have become mainstays of the diagnosis and monitoring of lymphoid malignancy. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques targeting these loci have been successfully applied to lymphoblastic leukemia and multiple myeloma for minimal residual disease detection. However, adoption of NGS for primary diagnosis remains limited. METHODS: We addressed the bioinformatics challenges associated with immune cell sequencing and clone detection by designing a novel web tool, CloneRetriever (CR), which uses machine-learning principles to generate clone classification schemes that are customizable, and can be applied to large datasets. CR has 2 applications-a "validation" mode to derive a clonality classifier, and a "live" mode to screen for clones by applying a validated and/or customized classifier. In this study, CR-generated multiple classifiers using 2 datasets comprising 106 annotated patient samples. A custom classifier was then applied to 36 unannotated samples. RESULTS: The optimal classifier for clonality required clonal dominance ≥4.5× above background, read representation ≥8% of all reads, and technical replicate agreement. Depending on the dataset and analysis step, the optimal algorithm yielded sensitivities of 81%-90%, specificities of 97%-100%, areas under the curve of 91%-94%, positive predictive values of 92-100%, and negative predictive values of 88%-98%. Customization of the algorithms yielded 95%-100% concordance with gold-standard clonality determination, including rescue of indeterminate samples. Application to a set of unknowns showed concordance rates of 83%-96%. CONCLUSIONS: CR is an out-of-the-box ready and user-friendly software designed to identify clonal rearrangements in large NGS datasets for the diagnosis of lymphoid malignancies.

An interstitial deletion within 9p21.3 and extending beyond CDKN2A predisposes to melanoma, neural system tumours and possible haematological malignancies.

Familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM) is characterised by dysplastic naevi, malignant melanoma and pancreatic cancer. Given that large deletions involving CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) account for only 2% of cases, we describe a family that highlights the co-occurrence of both melanoma and neural system tumours to aid clinical recognition and propose a management strategy. A patient with multiple neurofibromas was referred with a provisional diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Prior molecular testing, though, had failed to identify an NF1 mutation by sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. His family history was significant for multiple in situ/malignant melanomas at young ages and several different cancers reminiscent of an underlying syndrome. A search of the Familial Cancer Database, FaCD Online, highlighted several families with cutaneous melanoma and nervous system tumours who were subsequently identified to have large deletions spanning CDKN2A Although sequencing of CDKN2A and TP53 failed to identify a mutation, a heterozygous CDKN2A deletion was identified by targeted array comparative genomic hybridisation (CGH). Whole-genome oligonucleotide array CGH and SNP analysis identified an interstitial deletion of at least 1.5 Mb within 9p21.3 and spanning approximately 25 genes. Identification of the underlying molecular abnormality permits predictive testing for at-risk relatives. Given the young cancer diagnoses, a surveillance regimen was developed and a clinical team organised for ongoing management so that genetic testing could be offered to both adults and minor children. Surveillance recommendations addressed cancer risks associated with FAMMM, and other cancers exhibited by this family with a large contiguous gene deletion.

Phase 1 dose escalation trial of the safety and pharmacokinetics of cabozantinib concurrent with temozolomide and radiotherapy or temozolomide after radiotherapy in newly diagnosed patients with high-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: Cabozantinib inhibits mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and has demonstrated activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, warranting evaluation of the addition of cabozantinib to radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) for patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma. METHODS: Cabozantinib doses of 40 mg and 60 mg were explored. Patients on the concurrent treatment arm received cabozantinib daily with standard TMZ and after RT continued cabozantinib daily with adjuvant TMZ. In the maintenance arm, patients who completed RT and ≥1 adjuvant cycle of TMZ continued adjuvant TMZ with added cabozantinib (3 schedules: days 1-28, days 1-14, or days 8-21). RESULTS: A total of 26 patients (25 with recurrent glioblastoma and 1 patient with anaplastic astrocytoma) aged 30 to 72 years were enrolled (10 to the concurrent arm and 16 to the maintenance arm). The median number of post-RT TMZ cycles was 4.5 (range, 0-14 cycles) in the concurrent arm and 5.5 (range, 1-12 cycles) in the maintenance arm. Cabozantinib at a dose of 60 mg daily was the maximum administered dose and a dose of 40 mg daily was determined to be the maximum tolerated dose for both treatment arms (schedule of days 1-28). The most frequent grade 3/4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (31% of patients), leukopenia (27% of patients, including 5 patients with neutropenia), and deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism (23% of patients) (adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 3.0]). CONCLUSIONS: Cabozantinib at a dose of 40 mg daily with RT plus TMZ and post-RT TMZ for patients with newly diagnosed high-grade glioma was generally well tolerated, and demonstrated no pharmacokinetic interactions with concurrent TMZ. Given the strong theoretical rationale for combining anti-VEGF and anti-MET activity with standard therapy, cabozantinib at a dose of 40 mg daily warrants evaluation in combination with standard therapy for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: A Systematic Review and Two-Step Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve survival outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide updated results of previous findings. We also summarized published data to compare clinical outcomes of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) versus gemcitabine and cisplatin/carboplatin (GC) in the neoadjuvant setting. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 15 randomized clinical trials was performed to compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus local treatment with the same local treatment alone. Because no randomized trials have investigated MVAC versus GC in the neoadjuvant setting, a meta-analysis of 13 retrospective studies was performed to compare MVAC with GC. RESULTS: A total of 3,285 patients were included in 15 randomized clinical trials. There was a significant overall survival (OS) benefit associated with cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79-0.96). A total of 1,766 patients were included in 13 retrospective studies. There was no significant difference in pathological complete response between MVAC and GC. However, GC was associated with a significantly reduced overall survival (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.57). After excluding carboplatin data, GC still seemed to be inferior to MVAC in OS (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.99-1.74), but the difference was no longer statistically significant. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of cisplatin-based combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Although GC and MVAC had similar treatment response rates, the different survival outcome observed in this study requires further investigation. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) has been shown to improve survival outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients, but the optimal neoadjuvant regimen has not been established. Methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) and gemcitabine and cisplatin/carboplatin (GC) are two of the most commonly used chemotherapy regimens in modern oncology. In this two-step meta-analysis, an updated and more precise estimate of the survival benefit of cisplatin-based NCT in MIBC is provided. This study also demonstrated that MVAC might have superior overall survival compared with GC (with or without carboplatin data) in the neoadjuvant setting. The findings suggest that NCT should be standard care in MIBC, and MVAC could be the preferred neoadjuvant regimen.

Impact of provider level, training and gender on the utilization of palliative care and hospice in neuro-oncology: a North-American survey.

Specialized palliative care (PC) services have emerged to address symptoms and provide end-of-life management for patients with brain tumors. The utilization patterns of PC in neuro-oncology are unknown. A 22-question survey was distributed to participants of the society for neuro-oncology annual meeting 2012 (n = 4487). Nonparametric methods including Wilcoxon two-sample and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess differences in responses. 239 (5.3 %) evaluable responses were received; 79 % of respondents were physicians, and 17 % were nurses or midlevel providers. Forty-seven percent were medical or neuro-oncologists, 31 % neurosurgeons and 11 % radiation oncologists. Forty percent had no formal training in PC, 57 % had some formal training and 3 % completed a PC fellowship. Seventy-nine percent practiced in an academic setting. Of the respondents, 57 % referred patients to PC when symptoms required treatment and 18 % at end of life. Only 51 % of all providers felt comfortable dealing with end-of-life issues and symptoms, while 33 % did not. Fifty-one percent preferred a service named "Supportive Care" rather than "Palliative Care" (MDs > midlevel providers, p < 0.001), and 32 % felt that patient expectations for ongoing therapy hindered their ability to make PC referrals. Female gender, formal training in neuro-oncology and PC, and medical versus surgical neuro-oncology training were significantly associated with hospice referral, comfort in dealing with end-of-life issues, and ease of access to PC services. Provider level, specialty, gender, training in PC and neuro-oncology have significant impact on the utilization of PC and hospice in neuro-oncology.

HFE polymorphisms affect survival of brain tumor patients.

The HFE (high iron) protein plays a key role in the regulation of body iron. HFE polymorphisms (H63D and C282Y) are the common genetic variants in Caucasians. Based on frequency data, both HFE polymorphisms have been associated with increased risk in a number of cancers. The prevalence of the two major HFE polymorphisms in a human brain tumor patient populations and the impact of HFE polymorphisms on survival have not been studied. In the present study, there is no overall difference in survival by HFE genotype. However, male GBM patients with H63D HFE (H63D) have poorer overall survival than wild type HFE (WT) male GBM (p = 0.03). In GBM patients with the C282Y HFE polymorphism (C282Y), female patients have poorer survival than male patients (p = 0.05). In addition, female metastatic brain tumor patients with C282Y have shorter survival times post diagnosis than WT patients (p = 0.02) or male metastatic brain tumor patients with C282Y (p = 0.02). There is a tendency toward a lower proportion of H63D genotype in GBM patients than a non-tumor control group (p = 0.09) or other subtypes of brain tumors. In conclusion, our study suggests that HFE genotype impacts survival of brain tumor patients in a gender specific manner. We previously reported that glioma and neuroblastoma cell lines with HFE polymorphisms show greater resistance to chemo and radiotherapy. Taken together, these data suggest HFE genotype is an important consideration for evaluating and planning therapeutic strategies in brain tumor patients.

Thrombin-cleaved fragments of osteopontin are overexpressed in malignant glial tumors and provide a molecular niche with survival advantage.

Osteopontin (OPN), which is highly expressed in malignant glioblastoma (GBM), possesses inflammatory activity modulated by proteolytic cleavage by thrombin and plasma carboxypeptidase B2 (CPB2) at a highly conserved cleavage site. Full-length OPN (OPN-FL) was elevated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from all cancer patients compared with noncancer patients. However, thrombin-cleaved OPN (OPN-R) and thrombin/CPB2-double-cleaved OPN (OPN-L) levels were markedly increased in GBM and non-GBM gliomas compared with systemic cancer and noncancer patients. Cleaved OPN constituted ∼23 and ∼31% of the total OPN in the GBM and non-GBM CSF samples, respectively. OPN-R was also elevated in GBM tissues. Thrombin-antithrombin levels were highly correlated with cleaved OPN, but not OPN-FL, suggesting that the cleaved OPN fragments resulted from increased thrombin and CPB2 in this extracellular compartment. Levels of VEGF and CCL4 were increased in CSF of GBM and correlated with the levels of cleaved OPN. GBM cell lines were more adherent to OPN-R and OPN-L than OPN-FL. Adhesion to OPN altered gene expression, in particular genes involved with cellular processes, cell cycle regulation, death, and inflammation. OPN and its cleaved forms promoted motility of U-87 MG cells and conferred resistance to apoptosis. Although functional mutation of the RGD motif in OPN largely abolished these functions, OPN(RAA)-R regained significant cell binding and signaling function, suggesting that the SVVYGLR motif in OPN-R may substitute for the RGD motif if the latter becomes inaccessible. OPN cleavage contributes to GBM development by allowing more cells to bind in niches where they acquire anti-apoptotic properties.

Targeting Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK Receptor Tyrosine Kinases Significantly Sensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer to CDK4/6 Inhibition.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype with high metastasis and mortality rates. Given the lack of actionable targets such as ER and HER2, TNBC still remains an unmet therapeutic challenge. Despite harboring high CDK4/6 expression levels, the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibition in TNBC has been limited due to the emergence of resistance. The resistance to CDK4/6 inhibition is mainly mediated by RB1 inactivation. Since our aim is to overcome resistance to CDK4/6 inhibition, in this study, we primarily used the cell lines that do not express RB1. Following a screening for activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) upon CDK4/6 inhibition, we identified the TAM (Tyro3, Axl, and MerTK) RTKs as a crucial therapeutic vulnerability in TNBC. We show that targeting the TAM receptors with a novel inhibitor, sitravatinib, significantly sensitizes TNBC to CDK4/6 inhibitors. Upon prolonged HER2 inhibitor treatment, HER2+ breast cancers suppress HER2 expression, physiologically transforming into TNBC-like cells. We further show that the combined treatment is highly effective against drug-resistant HER2+ breast cancer as well. Following quantitative proteomics and RNA-seq data analysis, we extended our study into the immunophenotyping of TNBC. Given the roles of the TAM receptors in promoting the creation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), we further demonstrate that the combination of CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib and sitravatinib modifies the immune landscape of TNBC to favor immune checkpoint blockade. Overall, our study offers a novel and highly effective combination therapy against TNBC and potentially treatment-resistant HER2+ breast cancer that can be rapidly moved to the clinic.

Systematic Review of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Discovery in Neuro-Oncology: A Roadmap to Standardization and Clinical Application.

Effective diagnosis, prognostication, and management of CNS malignancies traditionally involves invasive brain biopsies that pose significant risk to the patient. Sampling and molecular profiling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a safer, rapid, and noninvasive alternative that offers a snapshot of the intracranial milieu while overcoming the challenge of sampling error that plagues conventional brain biopsy. Although numerous biomarkers have been identified, translational challenges remain, and standardization of protocols is necessary. Here, we systematically reviewed 141 studies (Medline, SCOPUS, and Biosis databases; between January 2000 and September 29, 2022) that molecularly profiled CSF from adults with brain malignancies including glioma, brain metastasis, and primary and secondary CNS lymphomas. We provide an overview of promising CSF biomarkers, propose CSF reporting guidelines, and discuss the various considerations that go into biomarker discovery, including the influence of blood-brain barrier disruption, cell of origin, and site of CSF acquisition (eg, lumbar and ventricular). We also performed a meta-analysis of proteomic data sets, identifying biomarkers in CNS malignancies and establishing a resource for the research community.

Leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors: A SNO and ASCO consensus review on clinical management and future directions.

Leptomeningeal metastases are increasingly becoming recognized as a treatable, yet generally incurable, complication of advanced cancer. As modern cancer therapeutics have prolonged the lives of patients with metastatic cancer, specifically in patients with parenchymal brain metastases, treatment options and clinical research protocols for patients with leptomeningeal metastases from solid tumors have similarly evolved to improve survival within specific populations. Recent expansion in clinical investigation, early diagnosis, and drug development have given rise to new unanswered questions. These include leptomeningeal metastasis biology and preferred animal modeling, epidemiology in the modern cancer population, ensuring validation and accessibility of newer leptomeningeal metastasis diagnostics, best clinical practices with multi-modality treatment options, clinical trial design and standardization of response assessments, and avenues worthy of further research. An international group of multi-disciplinary experts in the research and management of leptomeningeal metastases, supported by the Society for Neuro-Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology, were assembled to reach a consensus opinion on these pressing topics and provide a roadmap for future directions. Our hope is that these recommendations will accelerate collaboration and progress in the field of leptomeningeal metastases and serve as a platform for further discussion and patient advocacy.

Cerebrospinal fluid methylome-based liquid biopsies for accurate malignant brain neoplasm classification.

BACKGROUND: Resolving the differential diagnosis between brain metastases (BM), glioblastomas (GBM), and central nervous system lymphomas (CNSL) is an important dilemma for the clinical management of the main three intra-axial brain tumor types. Currently, treatment decisions require invasive diagnostic surgical biopsies that carry risks and morbidity. This study aimed to utilize methylomes from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a biofluid proximal to brain tumors, for reliable non-invasive classification that addresses limitations associated with low target abundance in existing approaches. METHODS: Binomial GLMnet classifiers of tumor type were built, in fifty iterations of 80% discovery sets, using CSF methylomes obtained from 57 BM, GBM, CNSL, and non-neoplastic control patients. Publicly-available tissue methylation profiles (N = 197) on these entities and normal brain parenchyma were used for validation and model optimization. RESULTS: Models reliably distinguished between BM (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] = 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-1.0), GBM (AUROC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.63-1.0), and CNSL (AUROC = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.66-1.0) in independent 20% validation sets. For validation, CSF-based methylome signatures reliably distinguished between tumor types within external tissue samples and tumors from non-neoplastic controls in CSF and tissue. CSF methylome signals were observed to align closely with tissue signatures for each entity. An additional set of optimized CSF-based models, built using tumor-specific features present in tissue data, showed enhanced classification accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: CSF methylomes are reliable for liquid biopsy-based classification of the major three malignant brain tumor types. We discuss how liquid biopsies may impact brain cancer management in the future by avoiding surgical risks, classifying unbiopsiable tumors, and guiding surgical planning when resection is indicated.

Capicua (CIC) mutations in gliomas in association with MAPK activation for exposing a potential therapeutic target.

Gliomas are the most prevalent neurological cancer in the USA and care modalities are not able to effectively combat these aggressive malignancies. Identifying new, more effective treatments require a deep understanding of the complex genetic variations and relevant pathway associations behind these cancers. Drawing connections between gene mutations with a responsive genetic target can help drive therapy selections to enhance patient survival. We have performed extensive molecular profiling of the Capicua gene (CIC), a tumor and transcriptional suppressor gene, and its mutation prevalence in reference to MAPK activation within clinical glioma tissue. CIC mutations occur far more frequently in oligodendroglioma (52.1%) than in low-grade astrocytoma or glioblastoma. CIC-associated mutations were observed across all glioma subtypes, and MAPK-associated mutations were most prevalent in CIC wild-type tissue regardless of the glioma subtype. MAPK activation, however, was enhanced in CIC-mutated oligodendroglioma. The totality of our observations reported supports the use of CIC as a relevant genetic marker for MAPK activation. Identification of CIC mutations, or lack thereof, can assist in selecting, implementing, and developing MEK/MAPK-inhibitory trials to improve patient outcomes potentially.

Cancer stem cell assay-guided chemotherapy improves survival of patients with recurrent glioblastoma in a randomized trial.

Therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute to the poor clinical outcomes of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM) who fail standard of care (SOC) therapy. ChemoID is a clinically validated assay for identifying CSC-targeted cytotoxic therapies in solid tumors. In a randomized clinical trial (NCT03632135), the ChemoID assay, a personalized approach for selecting the most effective treatment from FDA-approved chemotherapies, improves the survival of patients with rGBM (2016 WHO classification) over physician-chosen chemotherapy. In the ChemoID assay-guided group, median survival is 12.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.2-14.7) compared with 9 months (95% CI, 4.2-13.8) in the physician-choice group (p = 0.010) as per interim efficacy analysis. The ChemoID assay-guided group has a significantly lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.81; p = 0.008). Results of this study offer a promising way to provide more affordable treatment for patients with rGBM in lower socioeconomic groups in the US and around the world.

Seq-ing the SINEs of central nervous system tumors in cerebrospinal fluid.

It is often challenging to distinguish cancerous from non-cancerous lesions in the brain using conventional diagnostic approaches. We introduce an analytic technique called Real-CSF (repetitive element aneuploidy sequencing in CSF) to detect cancers of the central nervous system from evaluation of DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Short interspersed nuclear elements (SINEs) are PCR amplified with a single primer pair, and the PCR products are evaluated by next-generation sequencing. Real-CSF assesses genome-wide copy-number alterations as well as focal amplifications of selected oncogenes. Real-CSF was applied to 280 CSF samples and correctly identified 67% of 184 cancerous and 96% of 96 non-cancerous brain lesions. CSF analysis was considerably more sensitive than standard-of-care cytology and plasma cell-free DNA analysis in the same patients. Real-CSF therefore has the capacity to be used in combination with other clinical, radiologic, and laboratory-based data to inform the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected cancers of the brain.

Advanced Age in Humans and Mouse Models of Glioblastoma Show Decreased Survival from Extratumoral Influence.

PURPOSE: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults with a median age of onset of 68 to 70 years old. Although advanced age is often associated with poorer GBM patient survival, the predominant source(s) of maladaptive aging effects remains to be established. Here, we studied intratumoral and extratumoral relationships between adult patients with GBM and mice with brain tumors across the lifespan. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Electronic health records at Northwestern Medicine and the NCI SEER databases were evaluated for GBM patient age and overall survival. The commercial Tempus and Caris databases, as well as The Cancer Genome Atlas were profiled for gene expression, DNA methylation, and mutational changes with varying GBM patient age. In addition, gene expression analysis was performed on the extratumoral brain of younger and older adult mice with or without a brain tumor. The survival of young and old wild-type or transgenic (INK-ATTAC) mice with a brain tumor was evaluated after treatment with or without senolytics and/or immunotherapy. RESULTS: Human patients with GBM ≥65 years of age had a significantly decreased survival compared with their younger counterparts. While the intra-GBM molecular profiles were similar between younger and older patients with GBM, non-tumor brain tissue had a significantly different gene expression profile between young and old mice with a brain tumor and the eradication of senescent cells improved immunotherapy-dependent survival of old but not young mice. CONCLUSIONS: This work suggests a potential benefit for combining senolytics with immunotherapy in older patients with GBM.

Long-term survival with IDH wildtype glioblastoma: first results from the ETERNITY Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative Consortium (EORTC 1419).

BACKGROUND: Median survival with glioblastoma remains in the range of 12 months on population levels. Only few patients survive for more than 5 years. Patient and disease features associated with long-term survival remain poorly defined. METHODS: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 1419 (ETERNITY) is a registry study supported by the Brain Tumor Funders Collaborative in the US and the EORTC Brain Tumor Group. Patients with glioblastoma surviving at least 5 years from diagnosis were identified at 24 sites in Europe, US, and Australia. In patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wildtype tumours, prognostic factors were analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. A population-based reference cohort was obtained from the Cantonal cancer registry Zurich. RESULTS: At the database lock of July 2020, 280 patients with histologically centrally confirmed glioblastoma (189 IDH wildtype, 80 IDH mutant, 11 incompletely characterised) had been registered. In the IDH wildtype population, median age was 56 years (range 24-78 years), 96 patients (50.8%) were female, 139 patients (74.3%) had tumours with O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation. Median overall survival was 9.9 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7.9-11.9). Patients without recurrence experienced longer median survival (not reached) than patients with one or more recurrences (8.92 years) (p < 0.001) and had a high rate (48.8%) of MGMT promoter-unmethylated tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Freedom from progression is a powerful predictor of overall survival in long-term survivors with glioblastoma. Patients without relapse often have MGMT promoter-unmethylated glioblastoma and may represent a distinct subtype of glioblastoma.

EBV-positive PCNSL in older patients: incidence, characteristics, tumor pathology, and outcomes across a large multicenter cohort.

The objective of this multicenter retrospective study was to examine the incidence, patient characteristics, pathology, and outcomes associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related CNS lymphoma (CNSL) in older patients. Among 309 CNSL patients aged ≥60, 11.7% had EBV + tumors of which 72.2% were solid organ transplant (SOT)-related post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD). Younger age, SOT or autoimmune disease, and immunosuppressive treatment correlated highly with EBV-positivity. EBV + tumors were associated with absent C-MYC and BCL6 expression. EBV + PTLD was more likely to be associated with the absence of CD5 expression. EBV + non-PTLD had better median OS (not reached) compared to EBV + PTLD (10.8 months) and EBV-negative patients (43 months). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age, performance status, and PTLD were negative predictors of OS. EBV status and immunosuppressive treatment were not correlated with OS. Our findings merit further investigation of EBV + PCNSL tumors and EBV-directed therapies.

Phase I trial of verubulin (MPC-6827) plus carboplatin in patients with relapsed glioblastoma multiforme.

Verubulin (MPC-6827) is a microtubule-destabilizing agent that achieves high concentrations in the brain. Verubulin disrupts newly formed blood vessels in xenografts. We determined the safety and tolerability of verubulin administered in combination with carboplatin in patients with relapsed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Three pre-selected doses of verubulin were tested: 2.1, 2.7, and 3.3 mg/m(2) in a standard "3+3" design. Verubulin was given every second week of a 6-week cycle in the 2.1 mg/m(2) cohort or weekly for 3 weeks of a 4-week cycle in subsequent cohorts. Carboplatin was administered intravenously at an area under the curve (AUC) dosage 4 every 2 weeks for the 2.1 mg/m(2) cohort or on day 1 of each 4-week cycle in subsequent cohorts. Nineteen patients with GBM in first or second relapse were enrolled. Four patients (21 %) experienced a grade 3 or greater verubulin- or carboplatin-related adverse event, including hypesthesia, cerebral ischemia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. The mean plasma half life of verubulin was 3.2 h (SD = 0.82). Two patients achieved at least a partial response by Macdonald criteria. One of these patients remains progression free and off treatment more than 24 months beyond his initiation of verubulin. Five patients had stable disease. Median progression-free survival (PFS) across all patients was 8 weeks, and the 6-month PFS rate was 21 %. The combination of verubulin at the previously determined single-agent maximum tolerated dose of 3.3 mg/m(2) with carboplatin in patients with recurrent/refractory GBM is safe and well tolerated. In this patient population with a highly vascularized tumor, no cerebral hemorrhage was observed.