Causes of Death and End-of-Life Care in Patients With Intracranial High-Grade Gliomas: A Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To understand patterns of care and circumstances surrounding end of life in patients with intracranial gliomas. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed end-of-life circumstances in patients with intracranial high-grade gliomas at Columbia University Irving Medical Center who died from January 2014 to February 2019, including cause of death, location of death, and implementation of comfort measures and resuscitative efforts. RESULTS: There were 152 patients (95 men, 57 women; median age at death 61.5 years, range 24-87 years) who died from January 2014 to February 2019 with adequate data surrounding end-of-life circumstances. Clinical tumor progression (n = 117, 77.0%) was the most common cause of death, with all patients transitioned to comfort measures. Other causes included, but were not limited to, infection (19, 12.5%); intratumoral hemorrhage (5, 3.3%); seizures (8, 5.3%); cerebral edema (4, 2.6%); pulmonary embolism (4, 2.6%); autonomic failure (2, 1.3%); and hemorrhagic shock (2, 1.3%). Multiple mortal events were identified in 10 (8.5%). Seventy-three patients (48.0%) died at home with hospice. Other locations were inpatient hospice (40, 26.3%); acute care hospital (34, 22.4%), including 27 (17.8%) with and 7 (4.6%) without comfort measures; skilled nursing facility (4, 3.3%), including 3 (2.0%) with and 1 (0.7%) without comfort measures; or religious facility (1, 0.7%) with comfort measures. Acute cardiac or pulmonary resuscitation was performed in 20 patients (13.2%). DISCUSSION: Clinical tumor progression was the most common (77.0%) cause of death, followed by infection (12.5%). Hospice or comfort measures were ultimately implemented in 94.7% of patients, although resuscitation was performed in 13.2%. Improved understanding of circumstances surrounding death, frequency of use of hospice services, and frequency of resuscitative efforts in patients with gliomas may allow physicians to more accurately discuss end-of-life expectations with patients and caregivers, facilitating informed care planning.

A Phase II trial of tandutinib (MLN 518) in combination with bevacizumab for patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

AIM: A Phase II trial of bevacizumab plus tandutinib. METHODS: We enrolled 41 recurrent, bevacizumab-naive glioblastoma patients for a trial of bevacizumab plus tandutinib. Median age was 55 and 71% were male. Treatment consisted of tandutinib 500 mg two-times a day (b.i.d.) and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks starting day 15. Of 37 (90%) evaluable, nine (24%) had partial response. RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Median overall and progression-free survival was 11 and 4.1 months; progression-free survival at 6 months was 23%. All patients suffered treatment-related toxicities; common grade ≥3 toxicities were hypertension (17.1%), muscle weakness (17.1%), lymphopenia (14.6%) and hypophosphatemia (9.8%). Four of six with grade ≥3 tandutinib-related myasthenic-like muscle weakness had electromyography-proven neuromuscular junction pathology. Tandutinib with bevacizumab was as effective but more toxic than bevacizumab monotherapy.

A phase II trial of enzastaurin (LY317615) in combination with bevacizumab in adults with recurrent malignant gliomas.

We evaluated the efficacy of combination enzastaurin (LY317615) and bevacizumab for recurrent malignant gliomas and explored serologic correlates. We enrolled 81 patients with glioblastomas (GBM, n = 40) and anaplastic gliomas (AG, n = 41). Patients received enzastaurin as a loading dose of 1125 mg, followed by 500 or 875 mg daily for patients on non-enzyme-inducing or enzyme-inducing antiepileptics, respectively. Patients received bevacizumab 10 mg/kg intravenously biweekly. Clinical evaluations were repeated every 4 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging was obtained at baseline and every 8 weeks from treatment onset. Phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 levels from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were checked with each MRI. Median overall survival was 7.5 and 12.4 months for glioblastomas and anaplastic glioma cohorts, with median progression-free survivals of 2.0 and 4.4 months, respectively. Of GBM patients, 3/40 (7.5 %) were not evaluable, while 8/37 (22 %) had partial or complete response and 20/37 (54 %) had stable disease for 2+ months. Of the 39 evaluable AG patients, 18 (46 %) had an objective response, and 16 (41 %) had stable disease for 2+ months. The most common grade 3+ toxicities were lymphopenia (15 %), hypophosphatemia (8.8 %) and thrombotic events (7.5 %). Two (2.5 %) GBM patients died suddenly; another death (1.3 %) occurred from intractable seizures. Phosphorylated GSK-3 levels from PBMCs did not correlate with treatment response. A minimally important improvement in health-related quality of life was self-reported in 7-9/24 (29.2-37.5 %). Early response based on Levin criteria was significantly associated with significantly longer progression free survival for glioblastomas. Enzastaurin (LY317615) in combination with bevacizumab for recurrent malignant gliomas is well-tolerated, with response and progression-free survival similar to bevacizumab monotherapy.

A phase II trial of tamoxifen and bortezomib in patients with recurrent malignant gliomas.

NF-kB inhibition by bortezomib enhances tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in preclinical glioma models. We conducted a single institution, phase II trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of high dose tamoxifen with bortezomib in adults with recurrent malignant gliomas. The primary endpoint was radiographic response. Concurrent enzyme inducing anticonvulsants and grade ≥2 peripheral neuropathy were exclusion criteria. Patients received tamoxifen (120 mg PO twice daily) and bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2 IV on days 3, 6, 10, 13, 24, 27, 31, and 34) per 6-week cycles. We enrolled 42 patients with anaplastic gliomas (AGs, n = 12) and glioblastomas (GBMs, n = 30), 32 males and 10 females. Median age was 38 years (range 22-65) and 48 years (range 19-68) for AGs and GBMs, respectively. median karnofsky performance status was 90% (range 70-100) for AGs and 80% (range 60-100) for GBMs. Median prior therapies was 3, ranging 1-7. Grade ≥3 toxicities included lymphopenia (4/42), hypophosphatemia (3/42), thromobocytopenia (2/42), and 1/42 with hyponatremia, headache, dyspnea, or DVT. One patient withdrew consent, two were removed for toxicity, and all others discontinued for progression. Among 40 patients evaluable for response, only one achieved stable disease for 3 months; all others progressed rapidly. For AGs and GBMs respectively, median progression-free survival was 5.9 and 5.7 weeks and median overall survival was 25.6 and 14.7 weeks. The study was closed due to poor accrual and therapeutic futility. Combination tamoxifen and bortezomib has no activity in recurrent malignant gliomas. Poor penetration across blood brain barrier of bortezomib likely limited efficacy.

Bevacizumab-related toxicities in the National Cancer Institute malignant glioma trial cohort.

Bevacizumab is an antiangiogenic agent approved for recurrent glioblastoma due to high response rates. Prior reviews focused on severe or cardiovascular bevacizumab toxicities. We performed a comprehensive review of toxicities experienced among 210 patients enrolled in 3 phase II bevacizumab trials for recurrent malignant gliomas at the National Cancer Institute. No bevacizumab toxicities were experienced by 20 % patients, 40.2 % on monotherapy versus ≤9.5 % on combination therapy. Hypertension and proteinuria occurred in ~25 %. Fatigue, hypophosphatemia, aspartate aminotransferase elevation, rashes were common. Low grade headache, hoarseness, myalgias/arthralgias, liver enzyme elevation, azotemia and electrolyte abnormalities were noted. Rare severe toxicities, including thrombosis, hemorrhage, wound complications and colonic perforations, occurred at rates seen in other diseases. Leukopenia and neutropenia occurred solely with combination therapy, while thrombocytopenia occurred in 12.5 % on bevacizumab monotherapy. Thrombocytopenia was generally mild, but severe in (1.4 %) and increased in frequency with prolonged or combination therapy. Bevacizumab-related deaths occurred in 4 (1.9 %) patients, including brain ischemia (n = 1) and sudden unexplained deaths (n = 2). Prior hypertension increased the odds of hypertension by ≥3.4-fold (p < 0.001) and grade 3+ hypertension by ≥11.2 (p < 0.001). Prior hypertension increased the odds of hypophosphatemia by 2.4-fold (p = 0.011), but failed to predict proteinuria or azotemia. Age did not greatly impact toxicity. Hypertension, proteinuria and hypophosphatemia often occurred concurrently, more frequently and severely with prolonged use. Our study shows bevacizumab monotherapy is well tolerated, but toxicity increases with combination therapy. Balancing the risks and benefits of bevacizumab requires understanding the spectrum of bevacizumab toxicities and predisposing factors.

A novel uHPLC-MS/MS method for the quantitation of AZD7451 (AZ12607092) in human plasma.

Tropomyosin-related kinases (Trk) are tyrosine kinase receptors implicated in tumor proliferation, invasion, and survival signaling across a number of tumors, making them potentially attractive targets for the treatment of cancer. AZD7451 is a potent and selective inhibitor of Trk kinases currently undergoing a Phase I dose escalation in glioblastoma multiforme at the National Cancer Institute. A key part of early clinical testing for AZD7451 involves demonstrating that pharmacokinetic half-life and clinical exposures of AZD7451 are sufficient to inhibit Trk receptors in preclinical models. To address this need, an ultra sensitive analytical method was developed to measure the AZD7451 profile in human plasma. A liquid-liquid extraction recovered >80% of AZD7451 before quantitative analysis by ultra HPLC-MS/MS. A Varian Polaris(®) C18-A column and a mass transition of m/z 383.5→340.5 (m/z 389.6→342.0 for the internal standard [(2)H6]-AZD7451) was used, and a dynamic calibration range of 0.5-1000ng/mL was established, which provided a sensitive (<8.5% deviation), and precise (<6%) quantitative assay for AZD7451. AZD7451 demonstrated stability in human plasma at room temperature for 24h (<7% change) and after extraction at 4°C for 24h (<8% change), and was stable through 4 freeze/thaw cycles (<8% change). This method was used to measure AZD7451 plasma levels in clinical samples to confirm the sensitivity at several time points following AZD7451 treatment in subjects with glioblastoma.

A phase I/II trial of vandetanib for patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

Vandetanib is a once-daily multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, epidermal growth factor receptor, and the rearranged-during-transfection oncogene. A phase I trial was conducted to describe the pharmacokinetics of vandetanib in patients with recurrent glioma on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs) and to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in this population. A phase II trial evaluated the efficacy of vandetanib in patients with recurrent malignant glioma not on EIAEDs as measured by 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6). In the phase I trial, 15 patients were treated with vandetanib at doses of 300, 400, and 500 mg/day, in a standard dose-escalation design. The MTD in patients on EIAEDs was 400 mg/day, and steady-state levels were similar to those measured in patients not on EIAEDs. Dose-limiting toxicities were prolonged QTc and thromboembolism. Thirty-two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and 32 patients with recurrent anaplastic gliomas (AGs) were treated in the phase II trial, at a dosage of 300 mg/day on 28-day cycles. Six patients (4 GBM, 2 AG) had radiographic response. PFS6 was 6.5% in the GBM arm and 7.0% in the AG arm. Median overall survival was 6.3 months in the GBM arm and 7.6 months in the AG arm. Seizures were an unexpected toxicity of therapy. Vandetanib did not have significant activity in unselected patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

A phase II trial of single-agent bevacizumab in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of single-agent bevacizumab in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma and assess correlative advanced imaging parameters. Patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma were treated with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Complete patient evaluations were repeated every 4 weeks. Correlative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR and (18)fluorodeoxyglucose PET imaging studies were obtained to evaluate physiologic changes in tumor and tumor vasculature at time points including baseline, 96 h after the first dose, and after the first 4 weeks of therapy. Median overall survival was 12 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.08-22.8). Median progression-free survival was 2.93 months (95% CI: 2.01-4.93), and 6-month progression-free survival was 20.9% (95% CI: 10.3%-42.5%). Thirteen (43%) patients achieved a partial response. The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related toxicities were hypertension, hypophosphatemia, and thromboembolism. Single-agent bevacizumab produces significant radiographic response in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma but did not meet the 6-month progression-free survival endpoint. Early change in enhancing tumor volume at 4 days after start of therapy was the most significant prognostic factor for overall and progression-free survival.

Ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage in glioma patients on antiangiogenic therapy.

Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), recently received FDA approval for recurrent glioblastoma. Additionally, several VEGF receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have entered trials for recurrent glioma. Phase II studies of bevacizumab for recurrent GBM have reported incidents of ischemic stroke (IS) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH); however, their clinical features and outcomes were not described in detail. We conducted a retrospective study of recurrent malignant glioma patients with radiographically-confirmed IS or ICH while on antiangiogenic therapy. The study population included patients treated between 2005 and 2010 at the National Cancer Institute on four different phase I and II trials of antiangiogenic agents for recurrent malignant glioma, as well as patients receiving bevacizumab off clinical trial during this same period. Eight patients developed IS (50% lacunar) and 14 experienced ICH (79% intratumoral) while on antiangiogenic therapy for malignant glioma recurrence. The median age was 53 years, 17 patients (77%) were men, and 59% had glioblastoma. The frequencies of IS and ICH were 1.9% and 1.9% in bevacizumab trials. None of the patients on VEGFR TKI trials developed IS, while 3.8% experienced ICH. Patients with IS were treated with antiangiogenic agents longer than those with ICH (median, 16.2 vs. 2.6 months, P = 0.001). Median survival was 7.8 months after IS and 2.6 months after ICH. The most common IS subtype was lacunar, while most ICHs were asymptomatic and intratumoral. Overall, IS seems to be a complication of prolonged antiangiogenic therapy, while intratumoral bleeds often occur in the setting of tumor progression.

New treatment options in the management of glioblastoma multiforme: a focus on bevacizumab.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults and carries the poorest prognosis. Despite recent progress in molecular biology, neuro-imaging and neuro-surgical care, the management of patients with GBM continues to harbor significant challenges. Survival after diagnosis is poor even with the most aggressive approach using multimodality therapy. Although the etiology of malignant gliomas is not known, the dependency of tumor growth on angiogenesis has identified this pathway as a promising therapeutic target. Bevacizumab was the first antiangiogenic therapy approved for use in cancer and received accelerated Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of recurrent GBM in 2009, the first new drug for this disease in over a decade. This review describes the rationale behind the treatment of GBM with bevacizumab. The pharmacology, efficacy, safety and tolerability of bevacizumab will also be reviewed.

A phase I/II trial of enzastaurin in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Enzastaurin, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C-beta, inhibits angiogenesis and has direct cytotoxic activity against glioma cells in preclinical studies. Patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas were stratified by histology and use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs (EIAEDs). Patients on EIAED were treated on the phase I dose-escalation portion of the trial with evaluation of serum pharmacokinetics as the primary endpoint. Patients not on EIAED were treated on the phase II portion of the trial with radiographic response and progression-free survival (PFS) as primary objectives. Patients in phase I received enzastaurin 525-900 mg/d. Phase II patients received 500 or 525 mg/d. One hundred and eighteen patients were accrued to this trial. Therapy was well tolerated with thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhage, and elevated alanine aminotransferase as the most commonly observed drug-associated grade 3 or higher toxicities. Patients on EIAED had serum enzastaurin exposure levels approximately 80% lower than those not on EIAED. Dose escalations up to 900 mg/d did not substantially increase serum exposure levels and a maximally tolerated dose was never reached. Twenty-one of 84 evaluable patients (25%) experienced an objective radiographic response. The 6-month PFS was 7% for patients with glioblastoma and 16% for patients with anaplastic glioma. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was identified as a potential biomarker of drug activity. Enzastaurin has anti-glioma activity in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma, but does not appear to have enough single-agent activity to be useful as monotherapy.

Phase 2 trial of talampanel, a glutamate receptor inhibitor, for adults with recurrent malignant gliomas.

BACKGROUND: : Glioma cells secrete glutamate and also express alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5 methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) glutamate receptors, which contribute to the proliferation, migration, and neurotoxicity of malignant gliomas. Talampanel is an oral AMPA receptor inhibitor with excellent central nervous system penetration and good tolerability in clinical trials for epilepsy and other neurologic disorders. METHODS: : A phase 2 trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of talampanel in patients with recurrent malignant glioma as measured by 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6). RESULTS: : Thirty patients (22 with glioblastomas [GBMs] and 8 with anaplastic gliomas [AGs]; 63% men) with median age of 51 years (range, 20-67 years) and a median Karnofsky performance scale of 80 were included. Patients tolerated treatment well, and most adverse events were mild and reversible; the most common toxicities were fatigue (27%), dizziness (23%), and ataxia (17%). There was only 1 partial response (5%) reported in the GBM stratum and none among AG patients. At a median follow-up of 13 months, 28 patients (93%) had died. The PFS6 was 4.6% for the initial 22 GBM patients, and the study was terminated early due to treatment futility; the PFS6 was 0% for 8 AG patients. The median PFS was 5.9 weeks for GBM and 8.9 weeks for AG patients. The median overall survival was 13 weeks for GBM patients and 14 months for AG patients. CONCLUSIONS: : Talampanel was well-tolerated but had no significant activity as a single agent in unselected recurrent malignant gliomas. Cancer 2010. Published 2010 by the American Cancer Society.

Chemotherapy for malignant gliomas.

Malignant gliomas are rare but lethal tumors in which the mainstays of therapy remain surgery and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy currently plays a primarily adjuvant role in the management of these patients with, unfortunately, little success in the recurrent disease setting. Barriers to efficacy of standard cytotoxic agents are related to drug-delivery challenges and inherent chemoresistance. Newer agents designed as directed antiglioma therapy are being explored with exciting preliminary results. Bevacizumab and other antiangiogenic drugs are likely to play a key role in the treatment of malignant glioma, as are combinations of molecularly targeted compounds. A greater understanding of cancer biology has afforded an increasing number and variety of oncogenic targets for therapeutic development, providing hope for brain tumor patients with historically poor outcomes.

A phase I trial of enzastaurin in patients with recurrent gliomas.

PURPOSE: Enzastaurin is a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C beta. Prior phase I studies did not show increased drug exposures with escalating once daily administration. Limits from gastrointestinal absorption may be overcome by twice daily dosing, potentially improving antitumor effects. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We conducted a phase I dose escalation study in 26 patients with recurrent malignant glioma, stratified by use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs, to investigate whether divided twice daily dosing results in higher exposures compared with once daily dosing. Phosphorylated glycogen synthase 3 beta was analyzed as a potential biomarker of enzastaurin activity. RESULTS: Enzastaurin was poorly tolerated at all dose levels evaluated (500, 800, and 1,000 mg total daily), with thrombocytopenia and prolonged QTc as dose-limiting toxicities. The average drug concentration of enzastaurin under steady-state conditions was doubled by twice daily dosing compared with daily dosing [1.990; 90% confidence interval (CI), 1.450-2.730]. Additionally, geometric mean ratios doubled with 800 versus 500 mg dosing for both daily (2.687; 90% CI, 1.232-5.860) and twice daily regimens (1.852; 90% CI, 0.799-4.292). Two patients achieved long-term benefit (over 150 weeks progression free). CONCLUSIONS: Higher and more frequent dosing of enzastaurin resulted in improved drug exposure but with unacceptable toxicity at the doses tested. Phosphorylated glycogen synthase 3 beta may be a useful biomarker of the biological activity of enzastaurin. Enzastaurin has activity in a subset of malignant glioma patients and warrants continued study in combination with other agents using a maximal once daily dose of 500 mg.

Phase II trial of single-agent bevacizumab followed by bevacizumab plus irinotecan at tumor progression in recurrent glioblastoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate single-agent activity of bevacizumab in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent glioblastoma were treated with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. After tumor progression, patients were immediately treated with bevacizumab in combination with irinotecan 340 mg/m(2) or 125 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks, depending on use of enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. Complete patient evaluations were repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-eight heavily pretreated patients were accrued to this study. Thromboembolic events (12.5%), hypertension (12.5%), hypophosphatemia (6%), and thrombocytopenia (6%) were the most common drug-associated adverse events. Six patients (12.5%) were removed from study for drug-associated toxicity (five thromboembolic events, one bowel perforation). Thirty-four patients (71%) and 17 patients (35%) achieved radiographic response based on Levin and Macdonald criteria, respectively. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 weeks (95% CI, 12 to 26 weeks). The 6-month PFS was 29% (95% CI, 18% to 48%). The 6-month overall survival was 57% (95% CI, 44% to 75%). Median overall survival was 31 weeks (95% CI, 21 to 54 weeks). Early magnetic resonance imaging response (first 96 hours and 4 weeks) was predictive of long-term PFS, with the Levin criteria being more predictive than Macdonald criteria. Of 19 patients treated with bevacizumab plus irinotecan at progression, there were no objective radiographic responses. Eighteen patients (95%) experienced disease progression by the second cycle, and the median PFS was 30 days. CONCLUSION: We conclude that single-agent bevacizumab has significant biologic and antiglioma activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

A pilot study of everolimus and gefitinib in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM).

Twenty-two patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) were prospectively treated with everolimus and gefitinib, designed to test the combined inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as part of a larger clinical trial. The primary endpoint was radiographic response rate. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival and correlation of molecular profiles with treatment response. 36% of patients had stable disease and 14% a partial response; however, responses were not durable and only one patient was progression-free at six months. Radiographic changes were not well characterized by conventional response criteria, and implied differential effects of therapy within the tumor and/or antiangiogenic effects. EGFR and PTEN status did not clearly predict response to treatment.

Treatment patterns and prognosis in patients with human immunodeficiency virus and primary central system lymphoma.

The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has decreased in the era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy, but PCNSL continues to be a prominent AIDS-defining illness. Using surveillance epidemiology and end results, cancer registry data linked with Medicare, we identified PCNSL cases diagnosed from 1994 to 2002. The effects of comorbidity, year of diagnosis, and sociodemographic characteristics on the odds of receiving treatment were assessed. One hundred and eighty-four patients with both HIV and PCNSL were identified. Forty-six per cent were treated with radiation therapy (RT) alone, 10% received RT and chemotherapy, 4% received chemotherapy alone, and 40% received no treatment. No time trends in treatment patterns were observed, and no sociodemographic factors were associated with receipt of treatment. Median survival was 2 months. Age did not impact survival. Survival was improved for patients diagnosed with PCNSL after 1996 (p = 0.028). Despite improved treatment for both diseases over the past decade, survival remains dismal in this cohort of Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries with HIV-related PCNSL. These results may not apply to the general HIV population.

Neurologic complications of antitumor antibody therapies.

Antibody-based therapy is being explored across a variety of disease types. Several successes in oncology have become part of standard care for diseases such as colorectal cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents have had significant dose-limiting neurologic toxicities associated with their use. Although there are rare incidences of significant neurologic complications of antibody cancer therapy, these treatments are generally very well tolerated. Because most antibody therapy is adjunctive to other treatments, attribution to the immunologic component is often difficult to discern.

Ischemic stroke in patients with primary brain tumors.

BACKGROUND: Primary brain tumor patients are at increased risk for stroke from disease and treatment-specific mechanisms. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary brain tumors diagnosed with MRI-confirmed ischemic stroke between 1996 and 2006. Data were collected including risk factors, diagnostic workup, and treatment for stroke. Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores at stroke diagnosis were determined, and stroke etiology was assigned using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria for nonpostoperative strokes. RESULTS: Sixty-eight cases of confirmed ischemic stroke in 66 patients (56% men) were analyzed. The median age at time of stroke was 60 years. The distribution of stroke risk factors was comparable to the general stroke population. The most common brain tumors were gliomas, 60%; meningiomas, 25%; and primary CNS lymphoma, 6%. Stroke was the initial clinical diagnosis in only 43% of cases. The distribution of stroke etiology was operative complication, 49%; cardioembolic, 12%; small vessel lacune, 12%; large vessel, 6%; other, 15%; and undetermined, 7%. Seventeen patients (25%) had strokes related to delayed effects of radiation. The median latency from radiation to stroke diagnosis was 3.2 years. Therapy for secondary prevention of stroke was added in one-half of patients. Median survival from the time of stroke was 1.7 years and was correlated with MRS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment complications from surgery and radiotherapy account for the majority of ischemic strokes in patients with primary brain tumors. Stroke is often a missed diagnosis that can contribute additional neurologic disability in an already susceptible patient population.