Radiological Growth Patterns of Prolactinomas and Nonfunctioning Adenomas.

OBJECTIVES: To compare growth patterns of nonfunctioning and prolactin-producing pituitary macroadenomas, and to find whether their specific growth patterns are associated with clinically significant effects on vision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From our comprehensive provincial neuropituitary registry, we retrospectively identified 35 randomly selected patients each with nonfunctioning adenomas and prolactinomas >10 mm in any dimension. MRI scans were analyzed to determine the superior and inferior growth, volume, and maximum craniocaudal height of the adenomas. Patients underwent visual field testing at diagnosis. Continuous variables were compared using Student's t test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and ANOVA. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The mean height of prolactinomas (23.2±11.3 mm) was similar to nonfunctioning adenomas (22.3±9.3 mm, p=0.8), and so were mean tumor volumes (prolactinoma=5.9±8 ml vs. nonfunctioning adenoma=4.8±5 ml, p=0.47). However, the mean suprasellar growth for prolactinomas was 2.9±5.3 mm and 7.3±4.7 mm for nonfunctioning adenomas (p<0.001), and the mean infrasellar growth was 10.2±8.0 and 5.0±6.6 mm, respectively (p=0.04). The inferior growth pattern of prolactinomas was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of having visual field abnormalities (11.4 vs. 57.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prolactinomas have predominantly inferior growth compared to nonfunctioning adenomas and are less likely to cause vision changes.

The role of drebrin in glioma migration and invasion.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults. Despite current advances in therapy consisting of surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation, the overall survival rate still remains poor. Therapeutic failures are partly attributable to the highly infiltrative nature of tumor adjacent to normal brain parenchyma. Recently, evidence is mounting to suggest that actin cytoskeleton dynamics are critical components of the cell invasion process. Drebrin is an actin-binding protein involved in the regulation of actin filament organization, and plays a significant role in cell motility; however, the role of drebrin in glioma cell invasiveness has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study was aimed to clarify the role of drebrin in glioma cell morphology and cell motility. Here we show that drebrin is expressed in glioma cell lines and in operative specimens of GBM. We demonstrate that stable overexpression of drebrin in U87 cells leads to alterations in cell morphology, and induces increased invasiveness in vitro while knockdown of drebrin in U87 cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreases invasion and migration. In addition, we show that depletion of drebrin by siRNA alters glioma cell morphology in A172 GBM cell line. Our results suggest that drebrin contributes to the maintenance of cell shape, and may play an important role in glioma cell motility.

Recurrence patterns across medulloblastoma subgroups: an integrated clinical and molecular analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent medulloblastoma is a therapeutic challenge because it is almost always fatal. Studies have confirmed that medulloblastoma consists of at least four distinct subgroups. We sought to delineate subgroup-specific differences in medulloblastoma recurrence patterns. METHODS: We retrospectively identified a discovery cohort of all recurrent medulloblastomas at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, ON, Canada) from 1994 to 2012 (cohort 1), and established molecular subgroups using a nanoString-based assay on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues or frozen tissue. The anatomical site of recurrence (local tumour bed or leptomeningeal metastasis), time to recurrence, and survival after recurrence were assessed in a subgroup-specific manner. Two independent, non-overlapping cohorts (cohort 2: samples from patients with recurrent medulloblastomas from 13 centres worldwide, obtained between 1991 and 2012; cohort 3: samples from patients with recurrent medulloblastoma obtained at the NN Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute [Moscow, Russia] between 1994 and 2011) were analysed to confirm and validate observations. When possible, molecular subgrouping was done on tissue obtained from both the initial surgery and at recurrence. RESULTS: Cohort 1 consisted of 30 patients with recurrent medulloblastomas; nine with local recurrences, and 21 with metastatic recurrences. Cohort 2 consisted of 77 patients and cohort 3 of 96 patients with recurrent medulloblastoma. Subgroup affiliation remained stable at recurrence in all 34 cases with available matched primary and recurrent pairs (five pairs from cohort 1 and 29 pairs from cohort 2 [15 SHH, five group 3, 14 group 4]). This finding was validated in 17 pairs from cohort 3. When analysed in a subgroup-specific manner, local recurrences in cohort 1 were more frequent in SHH tumours (eight of nine [89%]) and metastatic recurrences were more common in group 3 and group 4 tumours (17 of 20 [85%] with one WNT, p=0·0014, local vs metastatic recurrence, SHH vs group 3 vs group 4). The subgroup-specific location of recurrence was confirmed in cohort 2 (p=0·0013 for local vs metastatic recurrence, SHH vs group 3 vs group 4,), and cohort 3 (p<0·0001). Treatment with craniospinal irradiation at diagnosis was not significantly associated with the anatomical pattern of recurrence. Survival after recurrence was significantly longer in patients with group 4 tumours in cohort 1 (p=0·013) than with other subgroups, which was confirmed in cohort 2 (p=0·0075), but not cohort 3 (p=0·70). INTERPRETATION: Medulloblastoma does not change subgroup at the time of recurrence, reinforcing the stability of the four main medulloblastoma subgroups. Significant differences in the location and timing of recurrence across medulloblastoma subgroups have potential treatment ramifications. Specifically, intensified local (posterior fossa) therapy should be tested in the initial treatment of patients with SHH tumours. Refinement of therapy for patients with group 3 or group 4 tumours should focus on metastases.

Mesenchymal glioma stem cells trigger vasectasia-distinct neovascularization process stimulated by extracellular vesicles carrying EGFR.

Targeting neovascularization in glioblastoma (GBM) is hampered by poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms and unclear linkages to tumour molecular landscapes. Here we report that different molecular subtypes of human glioma stem cells (GSC) trigger distinct endothelial responses involving either angiogenic or circumferential vascular growth (vasectasia). The latter process is selectively triggered by mesenchymal (but not proneural) GSCs and is mediated by a subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs) able to transfer EGFR/EGFRvIII transcript to endothelial cells. Inhibition of the expression and phosphorylation of EGFR in endothelial cells, either pharmacologically (Dacomitinib) or genetically (gene editing), abolishes their EV responses in vitro and disrupts vasectasia in vivo. Therapeutic inhibition of EGFR markedly extends anticancer effects of VEGF blockade in mice, coupled with abrogation of vasectasia and prolonged survival. Thus, vasectasia driven by intercellular transfer of oncogenic EGFR may represent a new therapeutic target in a subset of GBMs.

The alternative lengthening of telomere phenotype is significantly associated with loss of ATRX expression in high-grade pediatric and adult astrocytomas: a multi-institutional study of 214 astrocytomas.

Loss-of-function of alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) protein leads to a phenotype called alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) in some tumors. High-grade astrocytomas comprise a heterogeneous group of central nervous system tumors. We examined a large cohort of adult (91) and pediatric (n=88) high-grade astrocytomas as well as lower grade forms (n=35) for immunohistochemical loss of ATRX protein expression and the presence of ALT using telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization, with further correlation to other known genetic alterations. We found that in pediatric high-grade astrocytomas, 29.6% of tumors were positive for ALT and 24.5% were immunonegative for the ATRX protein, these two alterations being highly associated with one another (P<0.0001). In adult high-grade astrocytomas, 26.4% of tumors were similarly positive for ALT, including 80% of ATRX protein immunonegative cases (P<0.0001). Similar frequencies were found in 11 adult low-grade astrocytomas, whereas all 24 pilocytic astrocytomas were negative for ALT. We did not find any significant correlations between isocitrate dehydrogenase status and either ALT positivity or ATRX protein expression in our adult high-grade astrocytomas. In both cohorts, however, the ALT positive high-grade astrocytomas showed more frequent amplification of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha gene (PDGFRA; 45% and 50%, respectively) than the ALT negative counterparts (18% and 26%; P=0.03 for each). In summary, our data show that the ALT and ATRX protein alterations are common in both pediatric and adult high-grade astrocytomas, often with associated PDGFRA gene amplification.

Benefit of 5 years of enzyme replacement therapy in advanced late onset Pompe. A case report of misdiagnosis for three decades with acute respiratory failure at presentation.

We report on a 57 year old female patient who presented in acute respiratory failure with severe generalized weakness. She was previously misdiagnosed for over three decades as polymyositis. She was treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for over five years, after being diagnosed with late onset Pompe Disease (LOPD). She returned to independent living with the use of non invasive ventilation at nights. ERT should be considered in the management of patients with advanced LOPD and the effects of ERT closely monitored.

Pathology and genetics of meningiomas.

This article constitutes a mini-review of the pathology and genetics of meningiomas. Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors. They are usually durally based and are often found adjacent to venous sinuses and dural infoldings. The majority of these tumors are WHO grade I, although a minority is WHO grade II, atypical, or WHO grade III, anaplastic. Grade II and III meningiomas show a greater tendency than Grade I tumors to recur and metastasize. The current WHO scheme recognizes 15 histologic subtypes of meningiomas. Nine of these are WHO grade I, three are grade II, and three are grade III. In addition to these histologic subtypes, meningiomas can also be graded on the basis of mitotic activity, evidence of brain invasion, growth pattern cellular density, nuclear atypia, and necrosis. Loss of the long arm of chromosome 22, which is usually associated with inactivation of the NF2 gene, is the most common genetic abnormality found in meningiomas. Other chromosomal abnormalities associated with tumorogenesis and increased gradeof meningiomas include loss of heterozygosity for chromosome 1p, loss of 14q, deletion of 9p21, abnormalities of chromosome 10 and 17q. Telomerase activity increases with meningiomas grade as well. The only proven environmental risk factor for meningiomas is ionizing radiation. Radiation-induced meningiomas are more often multiple and have higher recurrence rates than standard meningiomas.

Clinical Outcomes and Patient-Matched Molecular Composition of Relapsed Medulloblastoma.

PURPOSE: We sought to investigate clinical outcomes of relapsed medulloblastoma and to compare molecular features between patient-matched diagnostic and relapsed tumors. METHODS: Children and infants enrolled on either SJMB03 (NCT00085202) or SJYC07 (NCT00602667) trials who experienced medulloblastoma relapse were analyzed for clinical outcomes, including anatomic and temporal patterns of relapse and postrelapse survival. A largely independent, paired molecular cohort was analyzed by DNA methylation array and next-generation sequencing. RESULTS: A total of 72 of 329 (22%) SJMB03 and 52 of 79 (66%) SJYC07 patients experienced relapse with significant representation of Group 3 and wingless tumors. Although most patients exhibited some distal disease (79%), 38% of patients with sonic hedgehog tumors experienced isolated local relapse. Time to relapse and postrelapse survival varied by molecular subgroup with longer latencies for patients with Group 4 tumors. Postrelapse radiation therapy among previously nonirradiated SJYC07 patients was associated with long-term survival. Reirradiation was only temporizing for SJMB03 patients. Among 127 patients with patient-matched tumor pairs, 9 (7%) experienced subsequent nonmedulloblastoma CNS malignancies. Subgroup (96%) and subtype (80%) stabilities were largely maintained among the remainder. Rare subgroup divergence was observed from Group 4 to Group 3 tumors, which is coincident with genetic alterations involving MYC, MYCN, and FBXW7. Subgroup-specific patterns of alteration were identified for driver genes and chromosome arms. CONCLUSION: Clinical behavior of relapsed medulloblastoma must be contextualized in terms of up-front therapies and molecular classifications. Group 4 tumors exhibit slower biological progression. Utility of radiation at relapse is dependent on patient age and prior treatments. Degree and patterns of molecular conservation at relapse vary by subgroup. Relapse tissue enables verification of molecular targets and identification of occult secondary malignancies.

Interaction of alpha9beta1 integrin with thrombospondin-1 promotes angiogenesis.

Thrombospondin-1 is a multifunctional protein interacting with several cell surface receptors including integrins. We found that it is a ligand for alpha9beta1 integrin, and has an integrin binding site within its N-terminal domain (NoC1). Interaction of thrombospondin-1 and its recombinant NoC1 domain with alpha9beta1 integrin was confirmed in ELISA and cell adhesion assays. Binding of NoC1 to cells expressing alpha9beta1 integrin activated signaling proteins such as Erk1/2 and paxillin. Blocking of this integrin by monoclonal antibody and the met-leu-asp-disintegrin inhibited dermal human microvascular endothelial cell proliferation and NoC1-induced migration of these cells. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that alpha9beta1 is expressed on microvascular endothelium in several organs including skin, lung, heart and brain. NoC1 induced neovascularization in an experimental quail chorioallantoic membrane system and Matrigel plug formation assay in mice. This proangiogenic activity of NoC1 in vivo was inhibited by alpha9beta1 inhibitors. In summary, our results revealed that alpha9beta1 integrin expressed on microvascular endothelial cells interacts with thrombospondin-1, and this interaction is involved in modulation of angiogenesis.

Creation of a retrospective searchable neuropathologic database from print archives at Toronto's University Health Network.

University Health Network (UHN) Pathology, in its capacity of providing neuro-oncologic care, now utilizes a laboratory information system (LIS), which was instituted in September 2001. For the 75 years preceding the LIS, more than 50 000 pathology reports exist in paper format. High-throughput automated scanning of the paper archives was employed to add the most recent 30 years of paper records (30 000 neuropathology specimens) to the LIS. The searchable portable document format (PDF) files generated from the scans were filtered through a multi-tiered process driven by Java computer programs that selected relevant patient and diagnostic information. A second series of programs queried the neuropathologist-assigned diagnoses and successfully converted these to the standardized World Health Organization (WHO) format. This was achieved with a master list of key site and diagnostic terms, and prioritization rules that were determined on a trial and error basis. Categorization, verification, and consolidation were completed within 3 months and on a C$10 000 budget.

Integrins mediate adhesion of medulloblastoma cells to tenascin and activate pathways associated with survival and proliferation.

Medulloblastoma spreads by leptomeningeal dissemination rather than by infiltration that characterizes other CNS tumors, eg, gliomas. This study represents an initial attempt to identify both the molecules that mediate medulloblastoma adhesion to leptomeninges and the pathways that are key to survival and proliferation of tumor following adhesion. As a first step in molecule identification, we produced adhesion of D283 medulloblastoma cells to the extracellular matrix (ECM) of H4 glioma cells in vitro. Within this context, D283 cells preferentially expressed the alpha9 and beta1 integrin subunits; antibody and disintegrin blockade of alpha9 and beta1 binding eliminated the adhesion. The H4 ECM was enriched in tenascin, a binding partner for the alpha9beta1 integrin heterodimer. Purified tenascin-C supported D283 cell adhesion. The adhesion was blocked by antibodies to alpha9 and beta1 integrin. In vivo data were similar; immunohistochemistry of primary human medulloblastomas with leptomeningeal extension demonstrated increased expression of alpha9 and beta1 integrins as well as tenascin at the interface of brain and leptomeningeal tumor. These data suggest that tumor-cell expressions of alpha9 and beta1 integrins in combination with extracellular tenascin are necessary for medulloblastoma adhesion to the leptomeninges. As a first step in the identification of pathways that mediate survival and proliferation of tumor following adhesion, we demonstrated that adhesion to H4 ECM was associated with survival and proliferation of D283 cells as well as activation of the MAPK pathway in a growth factor deficient environment. Antibody blockade of alpha9 and beta1 integrin binding that eliminated adhesion also eliminated the in vitro survival benefit. These data suggest that adhesion of medulloblastoma to the meninges is necessary for the survival and proliferation of these tumor cells at the secondary site.

Unusual AIP mutation and phenocopy in the family of a young patient with acromegalic gigantism.

Early-onset acromegaly causing gigantism is often associated with aryl-hydrocarbon-interacting receptor protein (AIP) mutation, especially if there is a positive family history. A15y male presented with tiredness and visual problems. He was 201 cm tall with a span of 217 cm. He had typical facial features of acromegaly, elevated IGF-1, secondary hypogonadism and a large macroadenoma. His paternal aunt had a history of acromegaly presenting at the age of 35 years. Following transsphenoidal surgery, his IGF-1 normalized and clinical symptoms improved. He was found to have a novel AIP mutation destroying the stop codon c.991T>C; p.*331R. Unexpectedly, his father and paternal aunt were negative for this mutation while his mother and older sister were unaffected carriers, suggesting that his aunt represents a phenocopy. LEARNING POINTS: Typical presentation for a patient with AIP mutation with excess growth and eunuchoid proportions.Unusual, previously not described AIP variant with loss of the stop codon.Phenocopy may occur in families with a disease-causing germline mutation.

Foretinib is effective therapy for metastatic sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, with metastases present at diagnosis conferring a poor prognosis. Mechanisms of dissemination are poorly understood and metastatic lesions are genetically divergent from the matched primary tumor. Effective and less toxic therapies that target both compartments have yet to be identified. Here, we report that the analysis of several large nonoverlapping cohorts of patients with medulloblastoma reveals MET kinase as a marker of sonic hedgehog (SHH)-driven medulloblastoma. Immunohistochemical analysis of phosphorylated, active MET kinase in an independent patient cohort confirmed its correlation with increased tumor relapse and poor survival, suggesting that patients with SHH medulloblastoma may benefit from MET-targeted therapy. In support of this hypothesis, we found that the approved MET inhibitor foretinib could suppress MET activation, decrease tumor cell proliferation, and induce apoptosis in SHH medulloblastomas in vitro and in vivo. Foretinib penetrated the blood-brain barrier and was effective in both the primary and metastatic tumor compartments. In established mouse xenograft or transgenic models of metastatic SHH medulloblastoma, foretinib administration reduced the growth of the primary tumor, decreased the incidence of metastases, and increased host survival. Taken together, our results provide a strong rationale to clinically evaluate foretinib as an effective therapy for patients with SHH-driven medulloblastoma.

Canonical TGF-ß pathway activity is a predictor of SHH-driven medulloblastoma survival and delineates putative precursors in cerebellar development.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. Very little is known about aggressive forms of this disease, such as metastatic or recurrent MBs. In order to identify pathways involved in aggressive MB pathophysiology, we performed unbiased, whole genome microarrays on MB tumors at both the human and murine levels. Primary human MBs were compared, transcriptomically, to their patient-matched recurrent or metastatic tumors. Expression profiling was also performed on murine tumors from two spontaneously developing MB mouse models (Ptch+/- and Smo/Smo) that present with differing clinical severities. At both the human and murine levels we identified transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) as a potential contributor to MB progression/metastasis. Smad3, a major downstream component of the TGF-ß pathway, was also evaluated using immunohistochemistry in malignant human tissues and was shown to correlate with MB metastasis and survival. Similarly, Smad3 expression during development identified a subset of cerebellar neuronal precursors as putative cells of origin for the Smad3-positive MBs. To our knowledge, this is the first study that links TGF-ß to MB pathogenesis. Our research suggests that canonical activation of this pathway leads to better prognosis for patients.

PDGFRA amplification is common in pediatric and adult high-grade astrocytomas and identifies a poor prognostic group in IDH1 mutant glioblastoma.

High-grade astrocytomas (HGAs), corresponding to World Health Organization grades III (anaplastic astrocytoma) and IV (glioblastoma; GBM), are biologically aggressive, and their molecular classification is increasingly relevant to clinical management. PDGFRA amplification is common in HGAs, although its prognostic significance remains unclear. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the most sensitive technique for detecting PDGFRA copy number gains, we determined PDGFRA amplification status in 123 pediatric and 263 adult HGAs. A range of PDGFRA FISH patterns were identified and cases were scored as non-amplified (normal and polysomy) or amplified (low-level and high-level). PDGFRA amplification was frequent in pediatric (29.3%) and adult (20.9%) tumors. Amplification was not prognostic in pediatric HGAs. In adult tumors diagnosed initially as GBM, the presence of combined PDGFRA amplification and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1)(R132H) mutation was a significant independent prognostic factor (P = 0.01). In HGAs, PDGFRA amplification is common and can manifest as high-level and focal or low-level amplifications. Our data indicate that the latter is more prevalent than previously reported with copy number averaging techniques. To our knowledge, this is the largest survey of PDGFRA status in adult and pediatric HGAs and suggests PDGFRA amplification increases with grade and is associated with a less favorable prognosis in IDH1 mutant de novo GBMs.

Multiphoton ANS fluorescence microscopy as an in vivo sensor for protein misfolding stress.

The inability of cells to maintain protein folding homeostasis is implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, malignant transformation, and aging. We find that multiphoton fluorescence imaging of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) can be used to assess cellular responses to protein misfolding stresses. ANS is relatively nontoxic and enters live cells and cells or tissues fixed in formalin. In an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, ANS fluorescence imaging of brain tissue sections reveals the binding of ANS to fibrillar deposits of amyloid peptide (Aß) in amyloid plaques and in cerebrovascular amyloid. ANS imaging also highlights non-amyloid deposits of glial fibrillary acidic protein in brain tumors. Cultured cells under normal growth conditions possess a number of ANS-binding structures. High levels of ANS fluorescence are associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, and lysosomes-regions of protein folding and degradation. Nuclei are virtually devoid of ANS binding sites. Additional ANS binding is triggered by hyperthermia, thermal lesioning, proteasome inhibition, and induction of ER stress. We also use multiphoton imaging of ANS binding to follow the in vivo recovery of cells from protein-damaging insults over time. We find that ANS fluorescence tracks with the binding of the molecular chaperone Hsp70 in compartments where Hsp70 is present. ANS highlights the sensitivity of specific cellular targets, including the nucleus and particularly the nucleolus, to thermal stress and proteasome inhibition. Multiphoton imaging of ANS binding should be a useful probe for monitoring protein misfolding stress in cells.

An epigenetic genome-wide screen identifies SPINT2 as a novel tumor suppressor gene in pediatric medulloblastoma.

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant cerebellar tumor that occurs primarily in children. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET pathway has an established role in both normal cerebellar development as well as the development and progression of human brain tumors, including MB. To identify novel tumor suppressor genes involved in MB pathogenesis, we performed an epigenome-wide screen in MB cell lines, using 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine to identify genes aberrantly silenced by promoter hypermethylation. Using this technique, we identified an inhibitor of HGF/MET signaling, serine protease inhibitor kunitz-type 2 (SPINT2/HAI-2), as a putative tumor suppressor silenced by promoter methylation in MB. In addition, based on single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis in primary MB samples, we identified hemizygous deletions targeting the SPINT2 locus in addition to gains on chromosome 7 encompassing the HGF and MET loci. SPINT2 gene expression was down-regulated and MET expression was up-regulated in 73.2% and 45.5% of tumors, respectively, by quantitative real-time PCR. SPINT2 promoter methylation was detected in 34.3% of primary MBs examined by methylation-specific PCR. SPINT2 reexpression in MB cell lines reduced proliferative capacity, anchorage independent growth, cell motility in vitro, and increased overall survival times in vivo in a xenograft model (P<0.0001). Taken together, these data support the role of SPINT2 as a putative tumor suppressor gene in MB, and further implicate dysregulation of the HGF/MET signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of MB.

Sensory CIDP presenting as cryptogenic sensory polyneuropathy.

The objective of this study was to report that patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) can present with a clinical picture of cryptogenic sensory neuropathy. Patients with distal sensory neuropathy and electrodiagnostic studies that are minimally abnormal or consistent with an axonal pathology are usually diagnosed as having cryptogenic sensory neuropathy if no cause for neuropathy can be found. Some of these patients, however, may have sensory CIDP. We reviewed the records of eight patients with CIDP, diagnosed by sural nerve biopsy, who presented with sensory neuropathy and electrodiagnostic studies that were minimally abnormal or revealed changes consistent with axonal neuropathy. All patients reported distal numbness and paresthesias and, on examination, had predominantly large fiber distal sensory loss and normal muscle strength. In most patients, deep tendon reflexes were reduced or absent. Sural nerve biopsies in all patients were consistent with chronic myelinopathy, with quantitative teased fiber analysis revealing segmental remyelination in 13-40% of the fibers. The four patients who received IVIg therapy had improved sensation and gait. Of the remaining four patients, one is being followed, one had spontaneous remission, one was lost to follow-up, and one, with contraindications to therapy, reported disease progression. Sensory CIDP may present as cryptogenic sensory polyneuropathy with normal or axonal electrophysiologic features. Sural nerve biopsy should be considered in patients with progressive, predominantly large fiber sensory neuropathy of otherwise unknown etiology, as they may have sensory CIDP that responds to therapy.