The importance of considering competing risks in recurrence analysis of intracranial meningioma.

BACKGROUND: The risk of recurrence is overestimated by the Kaplan-Meier method when competing events, such as death without recurrence, are present. Such overestimation can be avoided by using the Aalen-Johansen method, which is a direct extension of Kaplan-Meier that accounts for competing events. Meningiomas commonly occur in older individuals and have slow-growing properties, thereby warranting competing risk analysis. The extent to which competing events are considered in meningioma literature is unknown, and the consequences of using incorrect methodologies in meningioma recurrence risk analysis have not been investigated. METHODS: We surveyed articles indexed on PubMed since 2020 to assess the usage of competing risk analysis in recent meningioma literature. To compare recurrence risk estimates obtained through Kaplan-Meier and Aalen-Johansen methods, we applied our international database comprising ~ 8,000 patients with a primary meningioma collected from 42 institutions. RESULTS: Of 513 articles, 169 were eligible for full-text screening. There were 6,537 eligible cases from our PERNS database. The discrepancy between the results obtained by Kaplan-Meier and Aalen-Johansen was negligible among low-grade lesions and younger individuals. The discrepancy increased substantially in the patient groups associated with higher rates of competing events (older patients with high-grade lesions). CONCLUSION: The importance of considering competing events in recurrence risk analysis is poorly recognized as only 6% of the studies we surveyed employed Aalen-Johansen analyses. Consequently, most of the previous literature has overestimated the risk of recurrence. The overestimation was negligible for studies involving low-grade lesions in younger individuals; however, overestimation might have been substantial for studies on high-grade lesions.

Embolization of the middle meningeal artery for the prevention of chronic subdural hematoma recurrence in high-risk patients: a randomized controlled trial-the EMPROTECT study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization has been proposed as a treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The benefit of the procedure has yet to be demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial. We aim to assess the efficacy of MMA embolization in reducing the risk of CSDH recurrence 6 months after burr-hole surgery compared with standard medical treatment in patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence. METHODS: The EMPROTECT trial is a multicenter open label randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 12 French centers. Adult patients (≥18 years) operated for CSDH recurrence or for a first episode with a predefined recurrence risk factor are randomized 1:1 to receive either MMA embolization within 7 days of the burr-hole surgery (experimental group) or standard medical care (control group). The number of patients to be included is 342. RESULTS: The primary outcome is the rate of CSDH recurrence at 6 months. Secondary outcomes include the rate of repeated surgery for a homolateral CSDH recurrence during the 6-month follow-up period, the rate of disability and dependency at 1 and 6 months, defined by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥4, mortality at 1 and 6 months, total cumulative duration of hospital stay during the 6-month follow-up period, directly or indirectly related to the CSDH and embolization procedure-related complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: The EMPROTECT trial is the first RCT evaluating the benefit of MMA embolization as a surgical adjunct for the prevention of CSDH recurrence. If positive, this trial will have a significant impact on patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04372147.

A Minimal PBPK Model for Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pharmacokinetics of Trastuzumab after Intracerebroventricular Administration in Patients with HER2-Positive Brain Metastatic Localizations.

BACKGROUND: Dosing regimens of trastuzumab administered by intracerebroventricular (icv) route to patients with HER2-positive brain localizations remain empirical. The objectives of this study were to describe pharmacokinetics (PK) of trastuzumab in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after simultaneous icv and intravenous (iv) administration using a minimal physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model (mPBPK) and to perform simulations of alternative dosing regimens to achieve therapeutic concentrations in CSF. METHODS: Plasma and CSF PK data were collected in two patients with HER2-positive brain localizations. A mPBPK model for mAbs consisting of four compartments (tight and leaky tissues, plasma and lymph) was enriched by an additional compartment for ventricular CSF. The comparison between observed and model-predicted concentrations was evaluated using prediction error (PE). RESULTS: The developed mPBPK model described plasma and CSF trastuzumab concentrations reasonably well with mean PE for plasma and CSF data of 41.8% [interquartile range, IQR = -9.48; 40.6] and 18.3% [-36.7; 60.6], respectively, for patient 1 and 11.4% [-10.8; 28.7] and 22.5% [-27.7; 77.9], respectively, for patient 2. Trastuzumab showed fast clearance from CSF to plasma with Cmin,ss of 0.56 and 0.85 mg/L for 100 and 150 mg q1wk, respectively. Repeated dosing of 100 and 150 mg q3day resulted in Cmin,ss of 10.3 and 15.4 mg/L, respectively. Trastuzumab CSF target concentrations are achieved rapidly and maintained above 60 mg/L from 7 days after a continuous perfusion at 1.0 mg/h. CONCLUSION: Continuous icv infusion of trastuzumab at 1.0 mg/h could be an alternative dosing regimen to rapidly achieve intraventricular CSF therapeutic concentrations.

External ventricular drainage for intracranial hypertension after traumatic brain injury: is it really useful?

PURPOSES: External ventricular drainage (EVD) is frequently used to control raised intracranial pressure after traumatic brain injury. However, the available evidence about its effectiveness in this context is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of EVD to control intracranial pressure and to identify the clinical and radiological factors associated with its success. METHODS: For this retrospective cohort study conducted in a Level 1 traumacenter in Paris area between May 2011 and March 2019, all patients with intracranial hypertension and treated with EVD were included. EVD success was defined as an efficient and continuous control of intracranial hypertension avoiding the use of third tier therapies (therapeutic hypothermia, decompressive craniectomy, and barbiturate coma) or avoiding a decision to withdraw life sustaining treatment due to both refractory intracranial hypertension and severity of brain injury lesions. RESULTS: 83 patients with EVD were included. EVD was successful in 33 patients (40%). Thirty-two patients (39%) required a decompressive craniectomy, eight patients (9%) received barbiturate coma. In ten cases (12%) refractory intracranial hypertension prompted a protocolized withdrawal of care. Complications occurred in nine patients (11%) (three cases of ventriculitis, six cases of catheter occlusion). Multivariate analysis identified no independent factors associated with EVD success. CONCLUSION: In a protocol-based management for traumatic brain injury, EVD allowed intracranial pressure control and avoided third tier therapeutic measures in 40% of cases with a favorable risk-benefit ratio.

Ventriculoatrial Shunt Under Locoregional Anesthesia: A Technical Note.

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoatrial shunt is routinely performed under general anesthesia and is used to treat various kinds of hydrocephalus. Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus patients are generally elderly and can have high comorbidities; in such patients, avoiding general anesthesia and limiting opioid administration could be beneficial. We started to perform ventriculoatrial shunt under locoregional anesthesia, in order to make this procedure more truly "minimally invasive". METHODS: Demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and vital signs, Ramsay sedation scale, and procedural duration were collected. All procedures were performed combining sedation with cervical plexus and scalp block. After internal jugular vein cannulation, a catheter was inserted and connected with a programmable valve and then with the ventricular catheter. Outcome was assessed by the Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Grading Scale and complications were recorded at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients were enrolled; the mean age was 74 years, 8 were male, ASA score median value was 3. Opioids were administered only in 4 patients, in 6 patients the value of Ramsay scale was 5. The average duration of surgery was 59.5 minutes. No procedure was converted to general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience with ventriculoatrial shunt under locoregional anesthesia demonstrates that this technique is feasible, is not associated with an increase in operating times or complications, can avoid general anesthesia, and helps to limit opioid administration in the elderly. It can therefore represent a valid option in order to improve treatment quality in these complex patients.

Implementation of TERT promoter mutations improve prognostication of the WHO classification in meningioma.

TERT promoter mutations have been associated with increased risk of recurrence in meningioma cohorts, thus a potential biomarker for aggressive phenotypes. A main purpose of refining tumour classification is better predictions on the patient level. We compiled data from previous published cohorts to investigate patient-level predictions of recurrence based on TERTp-mut status. Implementation of TERTp-mut into the WHO grading led to better patient prognostication by improved prediction of recurrence. Our results support implementation of TERTp-mut into diagnostics and classification of meningiomas.

Preventing Post-Lumbar Puncture Headache.

Post-lumbar puncture headache is the main adverse event from lumbar puncture and occurs in 3.5% to 33% of patients, causing functional and socio-professional disability. We searched the post-lumbar puncture headache literature and, based on this review and personal expertise, identified and addressed 19 frequently asked questions regarding post-lumbar puncture headache risk factors and prevention. Among the nonmodifiable factors, older age is associated with a lower incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache, while female sex, lower body mass index, and history of headache might be associated with increased risk. The use of atraumatic, noncutting needles is the most effective intervention for post-lumbar puncture headache prevention. These needles are not more difficult to use than cutting needles. Other commonly recommended measures (eg, fluid supplementation, caffeine) appear unhelpful, and some (eg, bed rest) may worsen post-lumbar puncture headache.

Surface reconstruction from routine CT-scan shows large anatomical variations of falx cerebri and tentorium cerebelli.

BACKGROUND: Finite element modeling of the human head offers an alternative to experimental methods in understanding the biomechanical response of the head in trauma brain injuries. Falx, tentorium, and their notches are important structures surrounding the brain, and data about their anatomical variations are sparse. OBJECTIVE: To describe and quantify anatomical variations of falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli, and their notches. METHODS: 3D reconstruction of falx and tentorium was performed by points identification on 40 brain CT-scans in a tailored Matlab program. A scatter plot was obtained for each subject, and 8 anatomical landmarks were selected. A reference frame was defined to determine the coordinates of landmarks. Segments and areas were computed. A reproducibility study was done. RESULTS: The height of falx was 34.9 ± 3.9 mm and its surface area 56.5 ± 7.7 cm2. The width of tentorium was 99.64 ± 4.79 mm and its surface area 57.6 ± 5.8 cm2. The mean length, height, and surface area of falx notch were respectively 96.9 ± 8 mm, 41.8 ± 5.9 mm, and 28.8 ± 5.8 cm2 (range 15.8-40.5 cm2). The anterior and maximal widths of tentorial notch were 25.5 ± 3.5 mm and 30.9 ± 2.5 mm; its length 54.9 ± 5.2 mm and its surface area 13.26 ± 1.6 cm2. The length of falx notch correlated with the length of tentorial notch (r = 0.62, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We observe large anatomical variations of falx, tentorium, and notches, crucial to better understand the biomechanics of brain injury, in personalized finite element models.

Validation of a scoring system to evaluate the risk of rapid growth of intracranial meningiomas in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Intracranial meningiomas occur in about half of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients and are very frequently multiple. Thus, estimating individual meningiomas' growth rates is of great interest to tailor therapeutic interventions. The Asan Intracranial Meningioma Scoring System (AIMSS) has recently been published to estimate the risk of tumor growth in sporadic meningiomas. The current study aimed to determine predictors of rapid meningioma growth in NF2 patients and to evaluate the AIMSS score in a specific NF2 cohort. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 92 NF2 patients with 358 measured intracranial meningiomas that had been observed prospectively between 2012 and 2018. Tumor volumes were measured at diagnosis and at each follow-up visit. The growth rates were determined and evaluated with respect to the clinicoradiological parameters. Predictors of rapid tumor growth (defined as growth ≥ 2 cm3/yr) were analyzed using univariate followed by multivariate logistic regression to build a dedicated predicting model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to predict the risk of rapid tumor growth with the AIMSS versus the authors' multivariate model were compared. RESULTS: Sixty tumors (16.76%) showed rapid growth. After multivariate analysis, a larger tumor volume at diagnosis (p < 0.0001), presence of peritumoral edema (p = 0.022), absence of calcifications (p < 0.0001), and hyperintense or isointense signal on T2-weighted MRI (p < 0.005) were statistically significantly associated with rapid tumor growth. It is particularly notable that the genetic severity score did not seem to influence the growth rate of NF2 meningiomas. In comparison with the AIMSS, the authors' multivariate model's prediction did not show a statistically significant difference (area under the curve [AUC] 0.82 [95% CI 0.76-0.88] for the AIMSS vs AUC 0.86 [95% CI 0.81-0.91] for the authors' model, p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: The AIMSS score is valid in the authors' cohort of NF2-related meningiomas. It adequately predicted risk of rapid meningioma growth and could aid in decision-making in NF2 patients.

Poor prognosis associated with TERT gene alterations in meningioma is independent of the WHO classification: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: TERT gene alterations (TERT-alt) have been linked to increased risk of recurrence in meningiomas, whereas the association to mortality largely remain incompletely investigated. As incongruence between clinical course and WHO grade exists, reliable biomarkers have been sought. METHODS: We applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of individual participant data Statement. We compiled data from eight studies and allocated patients to TERT-alt (n=59) or TERT promoter wild-type (TERTp-wt; n=618). We compared the two groups stratified for WHO grades as: incidence rates, survival probabilities and cumulative recurrences. We estimated the effects of WHO grade, age at diagnosis and sex as HRs. RESULTS: TERT-alt occurred in 4.7%, 7.9% and 15.4% of WHO-I/WHO-II/WHO-III meningiomas, respectively. The median recurrence-free survival was 14 months for all TERT-alt patients versus 101 months for all TERTp-wt patients. The HR for TERT-alt was 3.74 in reference to TERTp-wt. For all TERT-alt patients versus all TERTp-wt patients, the median overall survival was 58 months and 160 months, respectively. The HR for TERT-alt was 2.77 compared with TERTp-wt. TERT-alt affected prognosis independent of WHO grades. Particularly, the recurrence rate was 4.8 times higher in WHO-I/-II TERT-alt patients compared with WHO-III TERTp-wt patients. The mortality rate was 2.7 times higher in the WHO-I and WHO-II TERT-alt patients compared with WHO-III TERTp-wt patients. CONCLUSIONS: TERT-alt is an important biomarker for significantly higher risk of recurrence and death in meningiomas. TERT-alt should be managed and surveilled aggressively. We propose that TERT-alt analysis should be implemented as a routine diagnostic test in meningioma and integrated into the WHO classification. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO: CRD42018110566.

More complications in cervical than in non-cervical spine tuberculosis.

Purpose: Cervical spine tuberculosis (CST) is a rare disease that may lead to severe neurological complications. The goal of the study was to compare the characteristics of patients with CST with those of patients with non-cervical spine tuberculosis (NCST).Methods: Between 1997 and 2016, we reviewed all cases of proven tuberculosis from a cohort of spine infections in a tertiary care hospital. Clinical, biological, and imaging data were collected at baseline and after treatment.Results: Fifty-one cases of spine tuberculosis were included: 14 with CST on imaging (27%) and 37 with no cervical localization. Median age was 39 y. Demographic characteristics, duration of symptoms and neurological findings of spine compression were similarly present at presentation in CST and NCST patients. On imaging, lesions were more often multifocal in CST than in NCST patients (9/14 [64%] versus 10/37 [27%], p = .014). Spinal surgery was required in 32/51 (63%) patients. At the end of follow-up (median: 20 months), cure rates were similar in CST and NCST patients but motor and/or sensitive functional sequel were more frequent in CST than NCST patients (6/14 [43%] versus 2/37 [5%], p = .003).Conclusions: Cervical involvement is present in more than a quarter of patients with spinal tuberculosis. Patients with CST had more frequent neurological sequelae than patients with NCST. This was mainly due to a more multifocal disease at presentation. Screening for cervical localization should be systematic in patients with spinal tuberculosis even in the absence of cervical symptoms.

[Biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease in older and oldest old patients]. / Quel est l'intérêt aujourd'hui des biomarqueurs de la maladie d'Alzheimer, chez les patients âgés et très âgés ?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in older patients, leading to progressive cognitive impairment. Brain amyloid and tau deposits are the main pathological features of the disease and may appear several decades before the onset of clinical symptoms. The biomarkers of AD, measured in the plasma or in the cerebrospinal fluid, reflect the brain accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau. Therefore, they enable early and more accurate etiological diagnosis when combined with brain neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment. The new definition of AD brings biomarkers forward, shifting the focus from symptoms to brain changes in living patients. The growing body of evidence from longitudinal studies has established their ability to improve the accuracy of AD diagnosis but also to predict the progression of cognitive impairment. The biomarkers of AD are also important for recruiting participants who are at increased risk of developing AD dementia in drug trials. Beyond their role in clinical research, these tools have been increasingly used for several years in clinical practice in secondary and tertiary-referral memory clinics. However, interpreting the results of AD biomarkers may be delicate in the oldest old patients with comorbidity. A tailored, patient-centered decision is mandatory in these situations. Complicated ethical issues may also arise in using these biomarkers in asymptomatic subjects. In the absence of clear guidelines for their utilization, we hereby discuss their potential interests and limitations in older adults.

The molecular landscape of glioma in patients with Neurofibromatosis 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common tumor predisposition syndrome in which glioma is one of the prevalent tumors. Gliomagenesis in NF1 results in a heterogeneous spectrum of low- to high-grade neoplasms occurring during the entire lifespan of patients. The pattern of genetic and epigenetic alterations of glioma that develops in NF1 patients and the similarities with sporadic glioma remain unknown. Here, we present the molecular landscape of low- and high-grade gliomas in patients affected by NF1 (NF1-glioma). We found that the predisposing germline mutation of the NF1 gene was frequently converted to homozygosity and the somatic mutational load of NF1-glioma was influenced by age and grade. High-grade tumors harbored genetic alterations of TP53 and CDKN2A, frequent mutations of ATRX associated with Alternative Lengthening of Telomere, and were enriched in genetic alterations of transcription/chromatin regulation and PI3 kinase pathways. Low-grade tumors exhibited fewer mutations that were over-represented in genes of the MAP kinase pathway. Approximately 50% of low-grade NF1-gliomas displayed an immune signature, T lymphocyte infiltrates, and increased neo-antigen load. DNA methylation assigned NF1-glioma to LGm6, a poorly defined Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 wild-type subgroup enriched with ATRX mutations. Thus, the profiling of NF1-glioma defined a distinct landscape that recapitulates a subset of sporadic tumors.

Distribution of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Profiles in Patients Explored for Cognitive Disorders.

BACKGROUND: CSF Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers allow classifying individuals based on their levels of amyloid and neurodegeneration pathologies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of AD biomarker profiles from patients suffering from cognitive disorders. METHODS: We analyzed 3001 patients with cognitive disorders and referred by 18 French memory clinics located in and around Paris. Patients were classified as normal, amyloidosis (A+/N-), amyloidosis and neurodegeneration (A+/N+) or suspected non-AD pathophysiology (SNAP), according to their CSF levels of biomarkers. Analysis were performed for the overall population and stratified by gender, age quintiles, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score quintiles. Results were compared to previous findings in cohorts of healthy elderly adults. RESULTS: 37% of the sample were classified as A+/N+, 22% were classified A+/N-, and 15% as SNAP. The A+/N+ profile was associated with female gender, advanced age, and lower MMSE score, while the A+/N-profile was observed more frequently in men and the distribution was stable across age and MMSE. The SNAP profile showed no association with gender or age, was less frequent in patients with lower MMSE, and had a lower repartition than the one previously reported in asymptomatic populations. CONCLUSIONS: While A+/N+ patients had the clinical characteristics typically observed in AD, A+/N-patients had a different epidemiological pattern (higher frequency in men, no association with advanced age or lower MMSE). The SNAP profile was less frequent than previously reported in the general elderly population, suggesting that this profile is not a frequent cause of memory impairment in this population.

Targeted next-generation sequencing for differential diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2, schwannomatosis, and meningiomatosis.

Background: Clinical overlap between neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), schwannomatosis, and meningiomatosis can make clinical diagnosis difficult. Hence, molecular investigation of germline and tumor tissues may improve the diagnosis. Methods: We present the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of NF2, SMARCB1, LZTR1, SMARCE1, and SUFU tumor suppressor genes, using an amplicon-based approach. We analyzed blood DNA from a cohort of 196 patients, including patients with NF2 (N = 79), schwannomatosis (N = 40), meningiomatosis (N = 12), and no clearly established diagnosis (N = 65). Matched tumor DNA was analyzed when available. Forty-seven NF2-/SMARCB1-negative schwannomatosis patients and 27 NF2-negative meningiomatosis patients were also evaluated. Results: A NF2 variant was found in 41/79 (52%) NF2 patients. SMARCB1 or LZTR1 variants were identified in 5/40 (12.5%) and 13/40 (∼32%) patients in the schwannomatosis cohort. Potentially pathogenic variants were found in 12/65 (18.5%) patients with no clearly established diagnosis. A LZTR1 variant was identified in 16/47 (34%) NF2/SMARCB1-negative schwannomatosis patients. A SMARCE1 variant was found in 3/39 (∼8%) meningiomatosis patients. No SUFU variant was found in the cohort. NGS was an effective and sensitive method to detect mutant alleles in blood or tumor DNA of mosaic NF2 patients. Interestingly, we identified a 4-hit mechanism resulting in the complete NF2 loss-of-function combined with SMARCB1 and LZTR1 haploinsufficiency in two-thirds of tumors from NF2 patients. Conclusions: Simultaneous investigation of NF2, SMARCB1, LZTR1, and SMARCE1 is a key element in the differential diagnosis of NF2, schwannomatosis, and meningiomatosis. The targeted NGS strategy is suitable for the identification of NF2 mosaicism in blood and for the investigation of tumors from these patients.

Mechanism-based modeling of the clinical effects of bevacizumab and everolimus on vestibular schwannomas of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2.

PURPOSE: To describe the natural growth of vestibular schwannoma in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and to predict tumor volume evolution in patients treated with bevacizumab and everolimus. METHODS: Clinical data, including longitudinal tumor volumes in patients treated by bevacizumab (n = 13), everolimus (n = 7) or both (n = 2), were analyzed by means of mathematical modeling techniques. Together with clinical data, data from the literature were also integrated to account for drugs mechanisms of action. RESULTS: We developed a model of vestibular schwannoma growth that takes into account the effect of vascular endothelial growth factors and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 on tumor growth. Behaviors, such as tumor growth rebound following everolimus treatment stops, was correctly described with the model. Preliminary results indicate that the model can be used to predict, based on early tumor volume dynamic, tumor response to variation in treatment dose and regimen. CONCLUSION: The developed model successfully describes tumor volume growth before and during bevacizumab and/or everolimus treatment. It might constitute a rational tool to predict patients' response to these drugs, thus potentially improving management of this disease.

PDGF activation in PGDS-positive arachnoid cells induces meningioma formation in mice promoting tumor progression in combination with Nf2 and Cdkn2ab loss.

The role of PDGF-B and its receptor in meningeal tumorigenesis is not clear. We investigated the role of PDGF-B in mouse meningioma development by generating autocrine stimulation of the arachnoid through the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) using the RCAStv-a system. To specifically target arachnoid cells, the cells of origin of meningioma, we generated the PGDStv-a mouse (Prostaglandin D synthase). Forced expression of PDGF-B in arachnoid cells in vivo induced the formation of Grade I meningiomas in 27% of mice by 8 months of age. In vitro, PDGF-B overexpression in PGDS-positive arachnoid cells lead to increased proliferation.We found a correlation of PDGFR-B expression and NF2 inactivation in a cohort of human meningiomas, and we showed that, in mice, Nf2 loss and PDGF over-expression in arachnoid cells induced meningioma malignant transformation, with 40% of Grade II meningiomas. In these mice, additional loss of Cdkn2ab resulted in a higher incidence of malignant meningiomas with 60% of Grade II and 30% of Grade III meningiomas. These data suggest that chronic autocrine PDGF signaling can promote proliferation of arachnoid cells and is potentially sufficient to induce meningiomagenesis. Loss of Nf2 and Cdkn2ab have synergistic effects with PDGF-B overexpression promoting meningioma malignant transformation.

Phase II study of mTORC1 inhibition by everolimus in neurofibromatosis type 2 patients with growing vestibular schwannomas.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a genetic disorder with bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) as the most frequent manifestation. Merlin, the NF2 tumor suppressor, was identified as a negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1. Pre-clinical data in mice showed that mTORC1 inhibition delayed growth of NF2-schwannomas. We conducted a prospective single-institution open-label phase II study to evaluate the effects of everolimus in ten NF2 patients with progressive VS. Drug activity was monitored every 3 months. Everolimus was administered orally for 12 months and, if the decrease in tumor volume was >20 % from baseline, treatment was continued for 12 additional months. Other patients stopped when completed 12 months of everolimus but were allowed to resume treatment when VS volume was >20 % during 1 year follow-up. Nine patients were evaluable. Safety was evaluated using CTCAE 3.0 criteria. After 12 months of everolimus, no reduction in volume ≥20 % was observed. Four patients had progressive disease, and five patients had stable disease with a median annual growth rate decreasing from 67 %/year before treatment to 0.5 %/year during treatment. In these patients, tumor growth resumed within 3-6 months after treatment discontinuation. Everolimus was then reintroduced and VS decreased by a median 6.8 % at 24 months. Time to tumor progression increased threefold from 4.2 months before treatment to > 12 months. Hearing was stable under treatment. The safety of everolimus was manageable. Although the primary endpoint was not reached, further studies are required to confirm the potential for stabilization of everolimus.