Impact of timing of antiseizure medication withdrawal on seizure recurrence in glioma patients: a retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Withdrawal of antiseizure medication treatment (ASM) can be considered after completion of antitumour treatment in glioma patients who no longer suffer from seizures. We compared the risk for recurrent seizures after ASM withdrawal between patients with short-term, medium-term versus long-term seizure freedom after antitumour treatment. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, the primary outcome was time to recurrent seizure, from the starting date of no ASM treatment up to 36 months follow-up. Cox proportional hazards models were used to study the effect of risk factors on time to recurrent seizure. Stratification was done with information known at baseline. Short-term seizure freedom was defined as ≥ 3 months, but < 12 months; medium-term as 12-24 months; and long-term as ≥ 24 months seizure freedom from the date of last antitumour treatment. RESULTS: This study comprised of 109 patients; 31% (34/109) were in the short-term, 29% (32/109) in the medium-term, and 39% (43/109) in the long-term group. A recurrent seizure was experienced by 47% (16/34) of the patients in the short-term, 31% (10/32) in the medium-term, and 44% (19/43) in the long-term group. Seizure recurrence risk was similar between patients in the short-term group as compared to the medium-term (cause-specific adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.65 [95%CI = 0.29-1.46]) and long-term group (cause-specific aHR = 1.04 [95%CI = 0.52-2.09]). CONCLUSIONS: Seizure recurrence risk is relatively similar between patients with short-term, medium-term, and long-term seizure freedom after completion of antitumour treatment.

Effectiveness of Antiseizure Medication Triple Therapy in Patients With Glioma With Refractory Epilepsy: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Approximately 10% of patients with glioma with epilepsy need antiseizure medication (ASM) triple therapy due to refractory epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether levetiracetam combined with valproic acid and clobazam (LEV + VPA + CLB), a frequently prescribed triple therapy, has favorable effectiveness compared with other triple therapy combinations in patients with glioma. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective observational cohort study. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence of time to treatment failure for any reason, from the start of ASM triple therapy treatment. The secondary outcomes included cumulative incidences of the following: (1) time to treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures; (2) time to treatment failure due to adverse effects; and (3) time to recurrent seizures. Patients were followed up for a maximum duration of 36 months. RESULTS: Of 1,435 patients in the original cohort, 90 patients received ASM triple therapy after second-line ASM treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures. LEV + VPA + CLB was prescribed to 48% (43/90) and other ASM triple therapy to 52% (47/90) of patients. The cumulative incidence of treatment failure for any reason of LEV + VPA + CLB did not statistically significantly differ from that of other ASM triple therapy combinations (12 months: 47% [95% CI 31%-62%] vs 42% [95% CI 27%-56%], p = 0.892). No statistically significant differences for treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures (12 months: 12% [95% CI 4%-25%] vs 18% [95% CI 8%-30%], p = 0.445), adverse effects (12 months: 22% [95% CI 11%-36%] vs 15% [95% CI 7%-27%], p = 0.446), or recurrent seizures (1 month: 65% [95% CI 48%-78%] vs 63% [95% CI 47%-75%], p = 0.911) were found. DISCUSSION: LEV + VPA + CLB might show equivalent effectiveness compared with other ASM triple therapy combinations in patients with glioma. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with glioma with refractory epilepsy on triple therapy ASMs, LEV + VPA + CLB demonstrated similar effectiveness and tolerability compared with other ASM triple therapy combinations.

Study protocol of the GLOW study: maximising treatment options for recurrent glioblastoma patients by whole genome sequencing-based diagnostics-a prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common glial primary brain tumour, is without exception lethal. Every year approximately 600 patients are diagnosed with this heterogeneous disease in The Netherlands. Despite neurosurgery, chemo -and radiation therapy, these tumours inevitably recur. Currently, there is no gold standard at time of recurrence and treatment options are limited. Unfortunately, the results of dedicated trials with new drugs have been very disappointing. The goal of the project is to obtain the evidence for changing standard of care (SOC) procedures to include whole genome sequencing (WGS) and consequently adapt care guidelines for this specific patient group with very poor prognosis by offering optimal and timely benefit from novel therapies, even in the absence of traditional registration trials for this small volume cancer indication. METHODS: The GLOW study is a prospective diagnostic cohort study executed through collaboration of the Hartwig Medical Foundation (Hartwig, a non-profit organisation) and twelve Dutch centers that perform neurosurgery and/or treat GBM patients. A total of 200 patients with a first recurrence of a glioblastoma will be included. Dual primary endpoint is the percentage of patients who receive targeted therapy based on the WGS report and overall survival. Secondary endpoints include WGS report success rate and number of targeted treatments available based on WGS reports and number of patients starting a treatment in presence of an actionable variant. At recurrence, study participants will undergo SOC neurosurgical resection. Tumour material will then, together with a blood sample, be sent to Hartwig where it will be analysed by WGS. A diagnostic report with therapy guidance, including potential matching off-label drugs and available clinical trials will then be sent back to the treating physician for discussing of the results in molecular tumour boards and targeted treatment decision making. DISCUSSION: The GLOW study aims to provide the scientific evidence for changing the SOC diagnostics for patients with a recurrent glioblastoma by investigating complete genome diagnostics to maximize treatment options for this patient group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05186064.

Advance care planning (ACP) in glioblastoma patients: Evaluation of a disease-specific ACP program and impact on outcomes.

Background: The feasibility of implementing an advance care planning (ACP) program in daily clinical practice for glioblastoma patients is unknown. We aimed to evaluate a previously developed disease-specific ACP program, including the optimal timing of initiation and the impact of the program on several patient-, proxy-, and care-related outcomes. Methods: The content and design of the ACP program were evaluated, and outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety and depression, and satisfaction with care were measured every 3 months over 15 months. Results: Eighteen patient-proxy dyads and two proxies participated in the program. The content and design of the ACP program were rated as sufficient. The preference for the optimal timing of initiation of the ACP program varied widely, however, most of the participants preferred initiation shortly after chemoradiation. Over time, aspects of HRQoL remained stable in our patient population. Similarly, the ACP program did not decrease the levels of anxiety and depression in patients, and a large proportion of proxies reported anxiety and/or depression. The needed level of support for proxies was relatively low throughout the disease course, and the level of feelings of caregiver mastery was relatively high. Overall, patients were satisfied with the provided care over time, whereas proxies were less satisfied in some aspects. Conclusions: The content and design of the developed disease-specific ACP program were rated as satisfactory. Whether the program has an actual impact on patient-, proxy-, and care-related outcomes proxies remain to be investigated.

Effectiveness of Antiseizure Medication Duotherapies in Patients With Glioma: A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: About 30% of patients with glioma need an add-on antiseizure medication (ASM) due to uncontrolled seizures on ASM monotherapy. This study aimed to determine whether levetiracetam combined with valproic acid (LEV + VPA), a commonly prescribed duotherapy, is more effective than other duotherapy combinations including either LEV or VPA in patients with glioma. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective observational cohort study, treatment failure (i.e., replacement by, addition of, or withdrawal of an ASM) for any reason was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included (1) treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures and (2) treatment failure due to adverse effects. Time to treatment failure was estimated from the moment of ASM duotherapy initiation. Multivariable cause-specific Cox proportional hazard models were estimated to study the association between risk factors and treatment failure. The maximum duration of follow-up was 36 months. RESULTS: A total of 1,435 patients were treated with first-line monotherapy LEV or VPA, of which 355 patients received ASM duotherapy after they had treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures on monotherapy. LEV + VPA was prescribed in 66% (236/355) and other ASM duotherapy combinations including LEV or VPA in 34% (119/355) of patients. Patients using other duotherapy vs LEV + VPA had a higher risk of treatment failure for any reason (cause-specific adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.50 [95% CI 1.07-2.12], p = 0.020), due to uncontrolled seizures (cause-specific aHR 1.73 [95% CI 1.10-2.73], p = 0.018), but not due to adverse effects (cause-specific aHR 0.88 [95% CI 0.47-1.67], p = 0.703). DISCUSSION: This observational cohort study suggests that LEV + VPA has better efficacy than other ASM combinations. Similar toxicities were experienced in the 2 groups. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that for patients with glioma with uncontrolled seizures on ASM monotherapy, LEV + VPA has better efficacy than other ASM combinations.

Is the EORTC QLQ-C30 emotional functioning scale appropriate as an initial screening measure to identify brain tumour patients who may possibly have a mood disorder?

BACKGROUND: Screening glioma patients regularly for possible mood disorders may facilitate early identification and referral of patients at risk. This study evaluated if the EORTC QLQ-C30 Emotional Functioning (EF) scale could be used as an initial screening measure to identify patients possibly having a mood disorder. METHODS: EORTC QLQ-C30 EF and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scores were collected as part of a study assessing the impact of timing of patient-reported outcome assessments on actual health-related quality of life outcomes (N = 99). Spearman correlations and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine the association between the EF and HADS (sub)scales. Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses were performed to determine optimal cut-off EF scores to identify patients possibly having a mood disorder (i.e. HADS subscale score ≥8 points). RESULTS: EF and HADS (sub)scales correlated moderately (HADS-A: r = -0.65; HADS-D: r = -0.52). Significant EF score differences were found between patients with HADS ≥8 versus <8 points (HADS-A: mean difference (MD) = 32 and HADS-D: MD = 23). The EF scale had excellent (HADS-A; AUC = 0.88) and borderline excellent (HADS-D; AUC = 0.78) distinguishing capabilities. A statistically optimal (EF score <80) and a most inclusive (sensitivity of 100%, corresponding to an EF score <97) EF cut-off score correctly identified 88.0% and 96.0% of patients with a possible mood disorder, respectively. CONCLUSION: EORTC QLQ-C30 EF scale seems to be an appropriate screening measure to identify glioma patients possibly having a mood disorder in need of further assessment.

Identification of characteristics that determine behavioral and personality changes in adult glioma patients.

BACKGROUND: Glioma patients may experience behavioral and personality changes (BPC), negatively impacting their lives and that of their relatives. However, there is no clear definition of BPC for adult glioma patients, and here we aimed to determine which characteristics of BPC are relevant to include in this definition. METHODS: Possible characteristics of BPC were identified in the literature and presented to patients and (former) caregivers in an online survey launched via the International Brain Tumour Alliance. Participants had to rate the relevance of each presented characteristic of BPC, the three characteristics with the most impact on their lives, and possible missing characteristics. A cluster analysis and discussions with experts provided input to categorize characteristics and propose a definition for BPC. RESULTS: Completed surveys were obtained from 140 respondents; 35% patients, 50% caregivers, and 15% unknown. Of 49 proposed characteristics, 35 were reported as relevant by at least 25% (range: 7%-44%) of respondents. Patients and caregivers rated different characteristics as most important. Common characteristics included in the top 10 of both patients and caregivers were lack of motivation, change in being socially active, not able to finish things, and change in the level of irritation. No characteristics were reported missing by ≥5 respondents. Three categories of BPC were identified: (1) emotions, needs, and impulses (2) personality traits, and (3) poor judgement abilities. CONCLUSION: The work resulted in a proposed definition for BPC in glioma patients, for which endorsement from the neuro-oncological community will be sought. A next step is to identify or develop an instrument to evaluate BPC in glioma patients.

First-line antiepileptic drug treatment in glioma patients with epilepsy: Levetiracetam vs valproic acid.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at estimating the cumulative incidence of antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment failure of first-line monotherapy levetiracetam vs valproic acid in glioma patients with epilepsy. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, a competing risks model was used to estimate the cumulative incidence of treatment failure, from AED treatment initiation, for the two AEDs with death as a competing event. Patients were matched on baseline covariates potentially related to treatment assignment and outcomes of interest according to the nearest neighbor propensity score matching technique. Maximum duration of follow-up was 36 months. RESULTS: In total, 776 patients using levetiracetam and 659 using valproic acid were identified. Matching resulted in two equal groups of 429 patients, with similar covariate distribution. The cumulative incidence of treatment failure for any reason was significantly lower for levetiracetam compared to valproic acid (12 months: 33% [95% confidence interval (CI) 29%-38%] vs 50% [95% CI 45%-55%]; P < .001). When looking at specific reasons of treatment failure, treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures was significantly lower for levetiracetam compared to valproic acid (12 months: 16% [95% CI 12%-19%] vs 28% [95% CI 23%-32%]; P < 0.001), but no differences were found for treatment failure due to adverse effects (12 months: 14% [95% CI 11%-18%] vs 15% [95% CI 11%-18%]; P = .636). SIGNIFICANCE: Our results suggest that levetiracetam may have favorable efficacy compared to valproic acid, whereas level of toxicity seems similar. Therefore, levetiracetam seems to be the preferred choice for first-line AED treatment in patients with glioma.

The Impact of the Timing of Health-Related Quality of Life Assessments on the Actual Results in Glioma Patients: A Randomized Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the timing of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measurements in clinical care on the obtained HRQoL scores in glioma patients, and the association with feelings of anxiety or depression. METHODS: Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)'s Quality of Life Questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BN20), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) twice. All patients completed the first measurement on the day of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan (t = 0), but the second measurement (t = 1) depended on randomization; Group 1 (n = 49) completed the questionnaires before and Group 2 (n = 51) after the consultation with the physician. RESULTS: median HRQoL scale scores on t0/t1 and change scores were comparable between the two groups. Between 8-58% of patients changed to a clinically relevant extent (i.e., ≥10 points) on the evaluated HRQoL scales in about one-week time, in both directions, with only 3% of patients remaining stable in all scales. Patients with a stable role functioning had a lower HADS anxiety change score. The HADS depression score was not associated with a change in HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Measuring HRQoL before or after the consultation did not impact HRQoL scores on a group level. However, most patients reported a clinically relevant difference in at least one HRQoL scale between the two time points. These findings highlight the importance of standardized moments of HRQoL assessments, or patient-reported outcomes in general, during treatment and follow-up in clinical trials.

Prediagnostic symptoms and signs of adult glioma: the patients' view.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the symptoms glioma patients experience in the year before diagnosis, either or not resulting in health care usage. This study aimed to determine the incidence of symptoms glioma patients experienced in the year prior to diagnosis, and subsequent visits to a general practitioner (GP). METHODS: Glioma patients were asked to complete a 30-item study-specific questionnaire focusing on symptoms they experienced in the 12 months before diagnosis. For each indicated symptom, patients were asked whether they consulted the GP for this issue. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients completed the questionnaires, 54 (93%) with input of a proxy. The median time since diagnosis was 4 months (range 1-12). The median number of symptoms experienced in the year before diagnosis was similar between gliomas with favourable and poor prognosis, i.e. 6 (range 0-24), as were the five most frequently mentioned problems: fatigue (n = 34, 58%), mental tiredness (n = 30, 51%), sleeping disorder (n = 24, 41%), headache (n = 23, 39%) and stress (n = 20, 34%). Twenty-six (44%) patients visited the GP with at least one issue. Patients who did consult their GP reported significantly more often muscle weakness (11 vs 3, p = 0.003) than patients who did not, which remained significant after correction for multiple testing, which was not the case for paralysis in hand/leg (10 vs 4), focussing (11 vs 6) or a change in awareness (9 vs 4). CONCLUSIONS: Glioma patients experience a range of non-specific problems in the year prior to diagnosis, but only patients who consult the GP report more often neurological problems.

Advance care planning in glioblastoma patients: development of a disease-specific ACP program.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown if the implementation of an advance care planning (ACP) program is feasible in daily clinical practice for glioblastoma patients. We aimed to develop an ACP program and assess the preferred content, the best time to introduce such a program in the disease trajectory, and possible barriers and facilitators for participation and implementation. METHODS: A focus group with health care professionals (HCPs) and individual semi-structured interviews with patients and proxies (of both living and deceased patients) were conducted. RESULTS: All predefined topics were considered relevant by participants, including the current situation, worries/fears, (supportive) treatment options, and preferred place of care/death. Although HCPs and proxies of deceased patients indicated that the program should be implemented relatively early in the disease trajectory, patient-proxy dyads were more ambiguous. Several patient-proxy dyads indicated that the program should be initiated later in the disease trajectory. If introduced early, topics about the end of life should be postponed. A frequently mentioned barrier for participation was that the program would be too confronting, while a facilitator was adequate access to information. CONCLUSION: This study resulted in an ACP program specifically for glioblastoma patients. Although participants agreed on the program content, the optimal timing of introducing such a program was a matter of debate. Our solution is to offer the program shortly after diagnosis but let patients and proxies decide which topics they want to discuss and when. The impact of the program on several patient- and care-related outcomes will be evaluated in the next step.

Visual inspection of MR relative cerebral blood volume maps has limited value for distinguishing progression from pseudoprogression in glioblastoma multiforme patients.

AIM: We examined whether visual interpretation of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) color maps made with dynamic susceptibility-weighted perfusion MRI can reliably distinguish progressive disease (PD) from pseudoprogression (PsPD) in glioblastoma patients during treatment with temozolomide chemoradiation. MATERIALS & METHODS: Magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion-weighted images were evaluated based on visual inspection of rCBV maps. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to assess if rCBV can reliably differentiate between PD and PsPD, during standard chemoradiation therapy. RESULTS: Evaluation of dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MRI by visual interpretation of rCBV maps did not differentiate PD from PsPD (sensitivity = 72%; specificity = 23%). Furthermore, the interpretation of the rCBV maps had no prognostic value regarding survival. CONCLUSION: Qualitative rCBV-based dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced perfusion MRI does not reliably differentiate PD from PsPD, and is not prognostic for survival in glioblastoma multiforme patients during treatment with temozolomide chemoradiation.

Prevalence of changes in personality and behavior in adult glioma patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Gliomas are rare, with a dismal outcome and an obvious impact on quality of life, because of neurological, physical and cognitive problems, as well as personality and behavioral changes. These latter changes may affect the lives of both patients and their relatives in a profound way, but it is unclear how often this occurs and to what extent. METHODS: We performed a systematic review to determine the prevalence of changes in personality and behavior in glioma patients. Searches were conducted in PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase. Based on predetermined in- and exclusion criteria, papers were screened for eligibility. Information on the topics of interest were extracted from the full-text papers. RESULTS: The search yielded 9895 papers, of which 18 were found to be eligible; 9 qualitative and 9 quantitative studies. The reported prevalence rates of changes in personality and/or behavior varied from 8%-67% in glioma patients, and was 100% in a case series with bilateral gliomas. Moreover, these changes were associated with distress and a lower quality of life of patients as well as informal caregivers. Methods of measurement of personality and behavioral changes differed considerably, as did the description of these changes. CONCLUSION: To determine the true prevalence of changes in behavior and personality, present but poorly labeled in the reported studies, prospective studies are needed using proper definitions of personality and behavioral changes and validated measurement tools. Ultimately, these findings may result in improved supportive care of both patients and caregivers, during the disease trajectory.

Seizure reduction is a prognostic marker in low-grade glioma patients treated with temozolomide.

We aimed to analyze the value of seizure reduction and radiological response as prognostic markers of survival in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG) treated with temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with a progressive LGG and uncontrolled epilepsy in two hospitals (VUmc Amsterdam; MCH The Hague), who received chemotherapy with TMZ between 2002 and 2014. End points were a ≥50 % seizure reduction and MRI response 6, 12 and 18 months (mo) after the start of TMZ, and their relation with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). We identified 53 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Seizure reduction was an independent prognostic factor for both PFS (HR 0.38; 95 % CI 0.19-0.73; p = 0.004) and OS (HR 0.39; 95 % CI 0.18-0.85; p = 0.018) after 6mo, adjusting for age and histopathological diagnosis, as well as after 12 and 18mo. Patients with an objective radiological response showed a better OS (median 87.5mo; 95 % CI 62.0-112.9) than patients without a response (median 34.4mo; 95 % CI 26.1-42.6; p = 0.046) after 12mo. However, after 6 and 18mo OS was similar in patients with and without a response on MRI. Seizure reduction is an early and consistent prognostic marker for survival after treatment with TMZ, that seems to precede the radiological response. Therefore, seizure reduction may serve as a surrogate marker for tumor response.

The impact of bevacizumab on health-related quality of life in patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma: results of the randomised controlled phase 2 BELOB trial.

BACKGROUND: The BELOB study, a randomised controlled phase 2 trial comparing lomustine, bevacizumab and combined lomustine and bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma, showed that the 9-month overall survival rate was most promising in the combination arm. Here we report the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) results, a secondary trial end-point. METHODS: HRQoL was measured at baseline and every 6weeks until progression using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and brain module (QLQ-BN20). HRQoL was assessed over time for five preselected scales (global health (GH), physical (PF) and social functioning (SF), motor dysfunction (MD) and communication deficit (CD)). Moreover, mean changes in HRQoL from baseline until progression were determined. RESULTS: 138/148 patients with at least a baseline HRQoL assessment were analysed. Over time, HRQoL remained relatively stable in all treatment arms for all five scales, at least during the first three treatment cycles. More than half (54-61%) of the patients showed stable (<10 point change) or improved (⩾10 point change) HRQoL during their progression-free time, except for SF (43%), irrespective of treatment arm. Deterioration of mean HRQoL was most profound at disease progression for all scales except SF, which deteriorated earlier in disease course. Compared to baseline, 40% of patients had clinically relevant (⩾10 points) worse GH, PF and SF, while 44% and 31% had increased MD and CD at disease progression, irrespective of treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: Bevacizumab, whether or not in combination with lomustine, did not negatively affect HRQoL in patients treated for recurrent glioblastoma in this randomised study.

Seizure reduction in a low-grade glioma: more than a beneficial side effect of temozolomide.

BACKGROUND: Seizures are a common symptom in patients with low-grade glioma (LGG), negatively influencing quality of life, if uncontrolled. Besides antiepileptic drugs, antitumour treatment might contribute to a reduction in seizure frequency. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy on seizure frequency, to identify factors associated with post-treatment seizure reduction and to analyse the prognostic value of seizure reduction for survival. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with supratentorial LGG and epilepsy who received chemotherapy with TMZ as initial treatment or for progressive disease in two hospitals (VUmc Amsterdam; MCH The Hague) between 2002 and 2012. RESULTS: We identified 104 patients with LGG with epilepsy who had received TMZ. Uncontrolled epilepsy in the 3 months preceding chemotherapy was present in 66 of 104 (63.5%) patients. A ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency after 6 months occurred in 29 of 66 (43.9%) patients. Focal symptoms at presentation (OR 6.55; 95% CI 1.45 to 32.77; p = 0.015) appeared to be positively associated with seizure reduction. Seizure reduction was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.15 to 0.66; p = 0.002) and overall survival (HR 0.33; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.79; p = 0.013), along with a histological diagnosis of oligodendroglioma (HR 0.38; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.86; p = 0.021). Objective responses on MRI were similar for patients with and without seizure reduction. CONCLUSIONS: TMZ may contribute to an important reduction in seizure frequency in patients with LGG. Seizure reduction following TMZ treatment has prognostic significance and may serve as an important clinical outcome measure in patients with LGG.

Withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs in glioma patients after long-term seizure freedom: design of a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is common in patients with a glioma. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay of epilepsy treatment, but may cause side effects and may negatively impact neurocognitive functioning and quality of life. Besides antiepileptic drugs, anti-tumour treatment, which currently consists of surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, may contribute to seizure control as well. In glioma patients with seizure freedom after anti-tumour therapy the question emerges whether AEDs should be continued, particularly in the case where anti-tumour treatment has been successful. We propose to explore the possibility of AED withdrawal in glioma patients with long-term seizure freedom after anti-tumour therapy and without signs of tumour progression. METHODS/DESIGN: We initiate a prospective, observational study exploring the decision-making process on the withdrawal or continuation of AEDs in low-grade and anaplastic glioma patients with stable disease and prolonged seizure freedom after anti-tumour treatment, and the effects of AED withdrawal or continuation on seizure freedom. We recruit participants through the outpatient clinics of three tertiary referral centers for brain tumour patients in The Netherlands. The patient and the treating physician make a shared decision to either withdraw or continue AED treatment. Over a one-year period, we aim to include 100 glioma patients. We expect approximately half of the participants to be willing to withdraw AEDs. The primary outcome measures are: 1) the outcome of the shared-decision making on AED withdrawal or continuation, and decision related arguments, and 2) seizure freedom at 12 months and 24 months of follow-up. We will also evaluate seizure type and frequency in case of seizure recurrence, as well as neurological symptoms, adverse effects related to AED treatment or withdrawal, other anti-tumour treatments and tumour progression. DISCUSSION: This study addresses two issues that are currently unexplored. First, it will explore the willingness to withdraw AEDs in glioma patients, and second, it will assess the risk of seizure recurrence in case AEDs are withdrawn in this specific patient population. This study aims to contribute to a more tailored AED treatment, and prevent unnecessary and potentially harmful use of AEDs in glioma patients.

MRI and thallium-201 SPECT in the prediction of survival in glioma.

INTRODUCTION: This paper aims to study the value of MRI and Thallium 201 ((201)Tl) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the prediction of overall survival (OS) in glioma patients treated with temozolomide (TMZ) and to evaluate timing of radiological follow-up. METHODS: We included patients treated with TMZ chemoradiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and with TMZ for recurrent glioma. MRIs and (201)Tl SPECTs were obtained at regular intervals. The value of both imaging modalities in predicting OS was examined using Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: Altogether, 138 MRIs and 113 (201)Tl SPECTs in 46 patients were performed. Both imaging modalities were strongly related to OS (P ≤ 0.02). In newly diagnosed GBM patients, the last follow-up MRI (i.e., after six adjuvant TMZ courses) and SPECT (i.e., after three adjuvant TMZ courses) were the strongest predictors of OS (P = 0.01). In recurrent glioma patients, baseline measurements appeared to be the most predictive of OS (P < 0.01). The addition of one imaging modality to the other did not contribute to the prediction of OS. CONCLUSIONS: Both MRI and (201)Tl SPECT are valuable in the prediction of OS. It is adequate to restrict to one of both modalities in the radiological follow-up during treatment. In the primary GBM setting, MRI after six adjuvant TMZ courses contributes significantly to the prediction of survival. In the recurrent glioma setting, baseline MRI appears to be a powerful predictor of survival, whereas follow-up MRIs during TMZ seem to be of little additional value.

Health-related quality of life of long-term high-grade glioma survivors.

The objective of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of long-term to short-term high-grade glioma (HGG) survivors, determine the prognostic value of HRQOL for overall survival, and determine the effect of tumor recurrence on HRQOL for long-term survivors. Following baseline assessment (after surgery, before radiotherapy), self-perceived HRQOL (using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 [SF-36]) and brain tumor-specific symptoms (using the 20-item Brain Cancer Module) were assessed every 4 months until 16 months after histological diagnosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model were performed to estimate overall survival of patients with impaired scores on the aggregated SF-36 higher-order summary scores measuring physical functioning on a physical component scale and on a mental component scale (MCS). Sixteen patients with a short-term survival (baseline and 4-month follow-up) and 16 with a long-term survival (follow-up until 16 months after diagnosis) were selected out of 68 initially recruited HGG patients. At baseline, the short-term and long-term survivors did not differ in their HRQOL. Between baseline and the 4-month follow-up, HRQOL of short-term survivors deteriorated, whereas the long-term survivors improved to a level comparable to healthy controls. Patients with impaired mental functioning (MCS) at baseline had a shorter median survival than patients with normal functioning. After accounting for differences in patient and tumor characteristics, however, mental functioning was not independently related to poorer overall survival. Not surprisingly, in the group of long-term survivors, the five patients with recurrence had a more compromised HRQOL at the 16-month follow-up compared to the 11 patients without recurrence. We concluded that baseline HRQOL is not related to duration of survival and that long-term survivors show improvement of HRQOL to a level comparable to that of the healthy.