Effect of dendritic cell vaccine therapy on lymphocyte subpopulation in refractory primary brain tumor.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cell (DC)‑based immunotherapy has the potential to induce an antitumor response within the immunologically privileged brain. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‑term effect of DC vaccine therapy on lymphocyte subsets in patients with refractory primary brain tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cases with refractory primary brain tumor who refused any treatment against tumor within 6 months of the therapy, were referred to one medicine center, from January 2011 to October 2012. All patients received 1 × 107 tumor lysate–pulsed DC vaccinations both intradermal injection and intravenous infusion 3 times/week. RESULTS: There were increases of lymphocytes CD8+ (P = 0.002) and CD56+ (P = 4.207E‑10), but no change of lymphocytes CD3+ (P = 0.651). Six patients were positive response of delayed‑type hypersensitivity. There were improving of appetite in 14 cases and increasing of physical strength 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: DC vaccine has the potential for inducing an immune cytotoxic effect directed toward tumor cells.

The Roles of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand and Its Receptors in Central Nervous System Diseases / 国际脑血管病杂志

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)is the third member of the tumor necrosis factor(TNF)superfamily.It has received much concern because of its selective killing effect on tumor cells and virus infected cells.However,the subsequent studies have suggested that TRAIL also induces normal cells,such as the death of neurons and oligodendrocytes.TRAIL is associated with a variety of central nervous system diseases including primary brain tumor,multipie sclerosis and ischemic stroke.

Gliomatosis Cerebri in the Brain Stem and Unilateral Cerebellar Hemisphere: Case Report

Gliomatosis cerebri is an uncommon primary brain tumor characterized by diffuse neoplastic proliferation of glial cells, with the preservation of anatomical architecture and the sparing of the neurons. In this report, we present a gliomatosis cerebri in a 16-year-old girl which occurred in brain stem and unilateral cerebellar hemisphere.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-C Expression in Primary and Metastatic Brain Tumor

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-C is involved in lymphangiogenesis and spreading of cancer cells via lymphatic vessels. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between the absence of cerebral lymphatic vessels and low metastatic rate of brain tumors. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains were performed for VEGF-C and VEGF in surgically resected specimens from 57 patients with primary(38 cases, low grade : 10 cases, high grade : 28 cases) and metastatic(19 cases) brain tumor. RESULTS: The expression of VEGF-C was higher in metastatic carcinoma(68%) than in high-grade primary tumor(29%). There was no difference for VEGF expression between high grade brain tumor (71%) and metastatic carcinoma(58%). CONCLUSION: Low VEGF-C expression of primary brain tumors may play a role in low metastatic rate of brain tumors.