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1.
Curr Opin Oncol ; 2024 Jul 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38984633

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide up-to-date evidence on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in neuro-oncology, with a focus on the core constructs of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of PROs in clinical trials and clinical practice.[Supplemental Digital Content: Video Abstract PROs in Neuro-Oncology.mov]. RECENT FINDINGS: PROs are gaining importance in brain tumor research and medical care. For patients with a brain tumor, core PRO constructs are pain, difficulty communicating, perceived cognition, seizures, symptomatic adverse events, physical functioning and role and social functioning, which are assessed through patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Initiatives have been taken to improve the reliability and robustness of PRO data, including standardization of items included in clinical trial protocols (the SPIRIT-PRO extension) and formulation of PRO priority objectives for use in clinical trials (the SISAQOL-Innovative Medicines Initiative). In brain tumor patients with cognitive impairment, caregiver-reported outcomes may complement or replace PROs to increase accuracy. The next key challenge will be to widely implement PROs and apply PRO data in clinical practice to benefit patients with brain tumors. SUMMARY: PROs are clinically relevant endpoints providing information only known by the patient. Standardization of the use of PROs in clinical trials and wide implementation in clinical practice is needed to improve HRQoL of brain tumor patients.

2.
Trials ; 25(1): 366, 2024 Jun 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38849943

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy with lomustine is widely considered as standard treatment option for progressive glioblastoma. The value of adding radiotherapy to second-line chemotherapy is not known. METHODS: EORTC-2227-BTG (LEGATO, NCT05904119) is an investigator-initiated, pragmatic (PRECIS-2 score: 34 out of 45), randomized, multicenter phase III trial in patients with first progression of glioblastoma. A total of 411 patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to lomustine (110 mg/m2 every 6 weeks) or lomustine (110 mg/m2 every 6weeks) plus radiotherapy (35 Gy in 10 fractions). Main eligibility criteria include histologic confirmation of glioblastoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase gene (IDH) wild-type per WHO 2021 classification, first progression at least 6 months after the end of prior radiotherapy, radiologically measurable disease according to RANO criteria with a maximum tumor diameter of 5 cm, and WHO performance status of 0-2. The primary efficacy endpoint is overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, response rate, neurocognitive function, health-related quality of life, and health economic parameters. LEGATO is funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Research program, was activated in March 2024 and will enroll patients in 43 sites in 11 countries across Europe with study completion projected in 2028. DISCUSSION: EORTC-2227-BTG (LEGATO) is a publicly funded pragmatic phase III trial designed to clarify the efficacy of adding reirradiation to chemotherapy with lomustine for the treatment of patients with first progression of glioblastoma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05904119. Registered before start of inclusion, 23 May 2023.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating , Brain Neoplasms , Disease Progression , Glioblastoma , Lomustine , Multicenter Studies as Topic , Progression-Free Survival , Glioblastoma/pathology , Glioblastoma/drug therapy , Glioblastoma/mortality , Glioblastoma/radiotherapy , Glioblastoma/therapy , Humans , Lomustine/administration & dosage , Lomustine/therapeutic use , Lomustine/adverse effects , Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/mortality , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Chemoradiotherapy/methods , Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic , Pragmatic Clinical Trials as Topic , Time Factors
3.
NMR Biomed ; : e5166, 2024 Apr 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38654579

ABSTRACT

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown potential for differentiating tumor progression from pseudoprogression. For pseudocontinuous ASL with a single postlabeling delay, the presence of delayed arterial transit times (ATTs) could affect the evaluation of ASL-MRI perfusion data. In this study, the influence of ATT artifacts on the perfusion assessment and differentiation between tumor progression and pseudoprogression were studied. This study comprised 66 adult patients (mean age 60 ± 13 years; 40 males) with a histologically confirmed glioblastoma who received postoperative radio (chemo)therapy. ASL-MRI and DSC-MRI scans were acquired at 3 months postradiotherapy as part of the standard clinical routine. These scans were visually scored regarding (i) the severity of ATT artifacts (%) on the ASL-MRI scans only, scored by two neuroradiologists; (ii) perfusion of the enhancing tumor lesion; and (iii) radiological evaluation of tumor progression versus pseudoprogression by one neuroradiologist. The final outcome was based on combined clinical and radiological follow-up until 9 months postradiotherapy. ATT artifacts were identified in all patients based on the mean scores of two raters. A significant difference between the radiological evaluation of ASL-MRI and DSC-MRI was observed only for ASL images with moderate ATT severity (30%-65%). The perfusion assessment showed ASL-MRI tending more towards hyperperfusion than DSC-MRI in the case of moderate ATT artifacts. In addition, there was a significant difference between the prediction of tumor progression with ASL-MRI and the final outcome in the case of severe ATT artifacts (McNemar test, p = 0.041). Despite using ASL imaging parameters close to the recommended settings, ATT artifacts frequently occur in patients with treated brain tumors. Those artifacts could hinder the radiological evaluation of ASL-MRI data and the detection of true disease progression, potentially affecting treatment decisions for patients with glioblastoma.

4.
Epilepsy Res ; 200: 107310, 2024 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38330675

ABSTRACT

This narrative review provides an overview of the current knowledge on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), a relevant clinical outcome in patients with epilepsy. It shows that the most important factor determining HRQOL in this patient group is seizure frequency. In particular, seizure-freedom is associated with better HRQOL scores. Many other factors may impact perceived HRQOL aspects, but their interrelation is complex and requires further research. Novel analytical approaches, such as hierarchical cluster and symptom network analyses might shed further light on this, and may result in recommendations for interventions on the most 'central' factors influencing different aspects of HRQOL in patients with epilepsy. Next, an overview of the HRQOL tools and analytical methods currently used in epilepsy care, with a focus on clinical trials, is provided. The QOLIE-31 is the most frequently applied and best validated tool. Several other questionnaires focusing on specific aspects of HRQOL (e.g., mood, social impact) are less frequently used. We show some pitfalls that should be taken into account when designing study protocols including HRQOL endpoints. This includes standardized statistical analysis approaches and predefined reporting methods for HRQOL in epilepsy populations. It has been shown in other patient groups that the lack of such standardisation negatively impacts the quality and comparability of results. We conclude with a number of recommendations for future research.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Quality of Life , Humans , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Seizures , Surveys and Questionnaires , Outcome Assessment, Health Care
5.
Neuro Oncol ; 26(1): 7-24, 2024 01 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37699031

ABSTRACT

Tumor-related epilepsy (TRE) is a frequent and major consequence of brain tumors. Management of TRE is required throughout the course of disease and a deep understanding of diagnosis and treatment is key to improving quality of life. Gross total resection is favored from both an oncologic and epilepsy perspective. Shared mechanisms of tumor growth and epilepsy exist, and emerging data will provide better targeted therapy options. Initial treatment with antiseizure medications (ASM) in conjunction with surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy is typical. The first choice of ASM is critical to optimize seizure control and tolerability considering the effects of the tumor itself. These agents carry a potential for drug-drug interactions and therefore knowledge of mechanisms of action and interactions is needed. A review of adverse effects is necessary to guide ASM adjustments and decision-making. This review highlights the essential aspects of diagnosis and treatment of TRE with ASMs, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy while indicating areas of uncertainty. Future studies should consider the use of a standardized method of seizure tracking and incorporating seizure outcomes as a primary endpoint of tumor treatment trials.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Epilepsy , Humans , Consensus , Quality of Life , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Epilepsy/diagnosis , Epilepsy/etiology , Epilepsy/therapy , Seizures , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use
6.
Neurooncol Adv ; 5(1): vdad133, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37908765

ABSTRACT

Background: Distinguishing true tumor progression (TP) from treatment-induced abnormalities (eg, pseudo-progression (PP) after radiotherapy) on conventional MRI scans remains challenging in patients with a glioblastoma. We aimed to establish brain MRI phenotypes of glioblastomas early after treatment by combined analysis of structural and perfusion tumor characteristics and assessed the relation with recurrence rate and overall survival time. Methods: Structural and perfusion MR images of 67 patients at 3 months post-radiotherapy were visually scored by a neuroradiologist. In total 23 parameters were predefined and used for hierarchical clustering analysis. Progression status was assessed based on the clinical course of each patient 9 months after radiotherapy (or latest available). Multivariable Cox regression models were used to determine the association between the phenotypes, recurrence rate, and overall survival. Results: We established 4 subgroups with significantly different tumor MRI characteristics, representing distinct MRI phenotypes of glioblastomas: TP and PP rates did not differ significantly between subgroups. Regression analysis showed that patients in subgroup 1 (characterized by having mostly small and ellipsoid nodular enhancing lesions with some hyper-perfusion) had a significant association with increased mortality at 9 months (HR: 2.6 (CI: 1.1-6.3); P = .03) with a median survival time of 13 months (compared to 22 months of subgroup 2). Conclusions: Our study suggests that distinct MRI phenotypes of glioblastomas at 3 months post-radiotherapy can be indicative of overall survival, but does not aid in differentiating TP from PP. The early prognostic information our method provides might in the future be informative for prognostication of glioblastoma patients.

7.
Thromb Res ; 232: 27-34, 2023 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37918288

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma patients are at high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Tumor-intrinsic features are considered to play a role, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES: To identify tumor-expressed genes and signaling pathways that associate with glioblastoma-related VTE by using next generation RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq). METHODS: The tumor gene expression profile of 23 glioblastoma patients with VTE and 23 glioblastoma patients without VTE was compared using an unpaired analysis. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) core analysis was performed on the top 50 differentially expressed genes to explore associated functions and pathways. Based on full RNA-Seq data, molecular glioblastoma subtypes were determined by performing cluster analysis. RESULTS: Of the 19,327 genes, 1246 (6.4 %) were differentially expressed between glioblastoma patients with and without VTE (unadjusted P < 0.05). The most highly overexpressed gene was GLI1, a classical target gene in the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway (log2 fold change: 3.7; unadjusted P < 0.0001, adjusted P = 0.219). In line, Shh signaling was among the top canonical pathways and processes associated with VTE. The proportion of patients with the proneural/neural glioblastoma subtype was higher among those with VTE than controls. CONCLUSION: Shh signaling may be involved in the development of glioblastoma-related VTE.


Subject(s)
Glioblastoma , Venous Thromboembolism , Humans , Venous Thromboembolism/genetics , Glioblastoma/complications , Glioblastoma/genetics , Glioblastoma/pathology , Case-Control Studies , Hedgehog Proteins/genetics , Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism , Signal Transduction/genetics , RNA
8.
J Neurooncol ; 164(3): 545-555, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37755633

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy, Generalized , Glioma , Humans , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Epilepsy, Generalized/chemically induced , Epilepsy, Generalized/complications , Epilepsy, Generalized/drug therapy , Glioma/complications , Glioma/drug therapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/chemically induced , Recurrence , Seizures/drug therapy , Seizures/etiology , Retrospective Studies
9.
Neurooncol Pract ; 10(4): 335-343, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37457222

ABSTRACT

AbstractGlioma patients carry the burden of having both a progressive neurological disease and cancer, and may face a variety of symptoms, including depression and anxiety. These symptoms are highly prevalent in glioma patients (median point prevalence ranging from 16-41% for depression and 24-48% for anxiety when assessed by self-report questionnaires) and have a major impact on health-related quality of life and even overall survival time. A worse overall survival time for glioma patients with depressive symptoms might be due to tumor progression and/or its supportive treatment causing depressive symptoms, an increased risk of suicide or other (unknown) factors. Much is still unclear about the etiology of depressive and anxiety symptoms in glioma. These psychiatric symptoms often find their cause in a combination of neurophysiological and psychological factors, such as the tumor and/or its treatment. Although these patients have a particular idiosyncrasy, standard treatment guidelines for depressive and anxiety disorders apply, generally recommending psychological and pharmacological treatment. Only a few nonpharmacological trials have been conducted evaluating the efficacy of psychological treatments (eg, a reminiscence therapy-based care program) in this population, which significantly reduced depressive and anxiety symptoms. No pharmacological trials have been conducted in glioma patients specifically. More well-designed trials evaluating the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatments for depressive and anxiety disorders in glioma are urgently needed to successfully treat psychiatric symptoms in brain tumor patients and to improve (health-related) quality of life.

11.
J Magn Reson Imaging ; 57(6): 1676-1695, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36912262

ABSTRACT

Preoperative clinical MRI protocols for gliomas, brain tumors with dismal outcomes due to their infiltrative properties, still rely on conventional structural MRI, which does not deliver information on tumor genotype and is limited in the delineation of diffuse gliomas. The GliMR COST action wants to raise awareness about the state of the art of advanced MRI techniques in gliomas and their possible clinical translation. This review describes current methods, limits, and applications of advanced MRI for the preoperative assessment of glioma, summarizing the level of clinical validation of different techniques. In this second part, we review magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), MRI-PET, MR elastography (MRE), and MR-based radiomics applications. The first part of this review addresses dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, arterial spin labeling (ASL), diffusion-weighted MRI, vessel imaging, and magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF). EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Glioma , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Humans , Brain Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Brain Neoplasms/surgery , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Contrast Media , Glioma/diagnostic imaging , Glioma/surgery , Glioma/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , Preoperative Period
12.
J Magn Reson Imaging ; 57(6): 1655-1675, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36866773

ABSTRACT

Preoperative clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for gliomas, brain tumors with dismal outcomes due to their infiltrative properties, still rely on conventional structural MRI, which does not deliver information on tumor genotype and is limited in the delineation of diffuse gliomas. The GliMR COST action wants to raise awareness about the state of the art of advanced MRI techniques in gliomas and their possible clinical translation or lack thereof. This review describes current methods, limits, and applications of advanced MRI for the preoperative assessment of glioma, summarizing the level of clinical validation of different techniques. In this first part, we discuss dynamic susceptibility contrast and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, arterial spin labeling, diffusion-weighted MRI, vessel imaging, and magnetic resonance fingerprinting. The second part of this review addresses magnetic resonance spectroscopy, chemical exchange saturation transfer, susceptibility-weighted imaging, MRI-PET, MR elastography, and MR-based radiomics applications. Evidence Level: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Glioma , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Glioma/diagnostic imaging , Glioma/surgery , Glioma/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Brain Neoplasms/surgery , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
13.
Neurology ; 100(14): e1488-e1496, 2023 04 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36754633

ABSTRACT

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.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistant Epilepsy , Epilepsy, Generalized , Glioma , Humans , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Valproic Acid/therapeutic use , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/chemically induced , Epilepsy, Generalized/drug therapy , Glioma/complications , Glioma/drug therapy
16.
BMJ Support Palliat Care ; 13(e1): e205-e212, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33653735

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Routine assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in oncology has shown to improve the quality of the delivered care and to prolong survival. However, for successful implementation of routine assessment of PROs, more knowledge on their usability in clinical practice is needed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to cross-sectionally assess the perspective of patients and clinicians on the practicality of routinely measuring PROs in clinical practice for glioma patients. METHODS: Semistructured interviews were conducted evaluating the role of healthcare professionals (HCP) in discussing results of PRO measures (PROMs), and the preferred topics, methods and frequency of PRO assessment. Glioma patients, their proxies and HCPs involved in the treatment of glioma patients from eight centres in the Netherlands were included. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients, 16 proxies and 35 HCPs were interviewed. The majority of patients, proxies and HCPs (92%, 81% and 80%, respectively) were willing to discuss PRO results during consultations. Although HCPs prefer that results are discussed with the nurse specialist, only one-third of patients/proxies agreed. Functioning of daily life was considered important in all three groups. Most participants indicated that discussion of PROM results should take place during standard follow-up visits, and completed at home about 1 week in advance. On group level, there was no preference for administration of questionnaires on paper or digitally. Lastly, all centres had staff available to send questionnaires on paper. CONCLUSION: This study shows that routine assessment of PROs is desired by patients, proxies and HCP's in neuro-oncological care in Dutch hospitals.


Subject(s)
Glioma , Health Personnel , Humans , Patient Reported Outcome Measures , Medical Oncology , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
Thromb Res ; 221: 10-18, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36435047

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with glioblastoma have a high risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the role of underlying genetic risk factors remains largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to discover whether genetic aberrations in glioblastoma associate with VTE risk. METHODS: In this cohort study, all consecutive patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in two Dutch hospitals between February 2017 and August 2020 were included. Targeted DNA next-generation sequencing of all glioblastomas was performed for diagnostic purposes and included mutational status of the genes ATRX, BRAF, CIC, FUBP1, H3F3A, IDH1, IDH2, PIK3CA, PTEN and TP53 and amplification/gain or deletion of BRAF, CDKN2A, EGFR, NOTCH1 and PTEN. The primary outcome was VTE within three months before glioblastoma diagnosis until two years after. Cumulative incidences were determined using competing risk analysis adjusting for mortality. Univariable Cox regression analysis was performed to determine hazard ratios. RESULTS: From 324 patients with glioblastoma, 25 were diagnosed with VTE. Patients with a CDKN2A deletion had a 12-month adjusted cumulative incidence of VTE of 12.5 % (95%CI: 7.3-19.3) compared with 5.4 % (95%CI: 2.6-9.6) in patients with CDKN2A wildtype (p = 0.020), corresponding to a HR of 2.53 (95%CI: 1.12-5.73, p = 0.026). No significant associations were found between any of the other investigated genes and VTE. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a potential role for CDKN2A deletion in glioblastoma-related VTE. Therefore, once independently validated, CDKN2A mutational status may be a promising predictor to identify glioblastoma patients at high risk for VTE, who may benefit from thromboprophylaxis.


Subject(s)
Glioblastoma , Venous Thromboembolism , Humans , Glioblastoma/complications , Glioblastoma/genetics , Cohort Studies , Venous Thromboembolism/drug therapy , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf , Risk Factors , DNA-Binding Proteins , RNA-Binding Proteins
18.
Epilepsia ; 64(1): 162-169, 2023 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36380710

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to directly compare the effectiveness of first-line monotherapy levetiracetam (LEV) versus enzyme-inducing antiseizure medications (EIASMs) in glioma patients. METHODS: In this nationwide retrospective observational cohort study, Grade 2-4 glioma patients were included, with a maximum duration of follow-up of 36 months. Primary outcome was antiseizure medication (ASM) treatment failure for any reason, and secondary outcomes were treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures and due to adverse effects. For estimation of the association between ASM treatment and ASM treatment failure, multivariate cause-specific cox proportional hazard models were estimated, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: In the original cohort, a total of 808 brain tumor patients with epilepsy were included, of whom 109 glioma patients were prescribed first-line LEV and 183 glioma patients first-line EIASMs. The EIASM group had a significantly higher risk of treatment failure for any reason compared to LEV (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20-2.75, p = .005). Treatment failure due to uncontrolled seizures did not differ significantly between EIASMs and LEV (aHR = 1.32, 95% CI = .78-2.25, p = .300), but treatment failure due to adverse effects differed significantly (aHR = 4.87, 95% CI = 1.89-12.55, p = .001). SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, it was demonstrated that LEV had a significantly better effectiveness (i.e., less ASM treatment failure for any reason or due to adverse effects) compared to EIASMs, supporting the current neuro-oncology guideline recommendations to avoid EIASMs in glioma patients.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Glioma , Humans , Levetiracetam/therapeutic use , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Epilepsy/complications , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/chemically induced , Glioma/complications , Glioma/drug therapy
19.
Neuro Oncol ; 25(3): 447-456, 2023 03 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36271873

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This systematic review provides updated insights, from the published literature in the past 5 years, based on the 2017 European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) guidelines for palliative care in adults with malignant brain tumors. It provides an overview of palliative care options, including during the end-of-life phase for patients with malignant brain tumors. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted from 2016 to 2021 focusing on four main topics: (1) symptom management, (2) caregiver needs, (3) early palliative care, and (4) care in the end-of-life phase. An international panel of palliative care experts in neuro-oncology synthesized the literature and reported the most relevant updates. A total of 140 articles were included. RESULTS: New insights include that: Hippocampal avoidance and stereotactic radiosurgery results in a lower risk of neurocognitive decline in patients with brain metastases; levetiracetam is more efficacious in reducing seizures than valproic acid as first-line monotherapy antiseizure drug (ASD) in glioma patients; lacosamide and perampanel seem well-tolerated and efficacious add-on ASDs; and a comprehensive framework of palliative and supportive care for high-grade glioma patients and their caregivers was proposed. No pharmacological agents have been shown in randomized controlled trials to significantly improve fatigue or neurocognition. CONCLUSIONS: Since the 2017 EANO palliative care guidelines, new insights have been reported regarding symptom management and end-of-life care, however, most recommendations remain unchanged. Early palliative care interventions are essential to define goals of care and minimize symptom burden in a timely fashion. Interventional studies that address pain, fatigue, and psychiatric symptoms as well as (the timing of) early palliative care are urgently needed.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Glioma , Terminal Care , Humans , Adult , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Glioma/psychology , Death , Fatigue
20.
Neuro Oncol ; 25(4): 701-709, 2023 04 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35972438

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: IDH1/2 wildtype (IDHwt) glioma WHO grade 2 and 3 patients with pTERT mutation and/or EGFR amplification and/or + 7/-10 chromosome gain/loss have a similar overall survival time as IDHwt glioblastoma patients, and are both considered glioblastoma IDHwt according to the WHO 2021 classification. However, differences in seizure onset have been observed. This study aimed to compare the course of epilepsy in the 2 glioblastoma subtypes. METHODS: We analyzed epilepsy data of an existing cohort including IDHwt histologically lower-grade glioma WHO grade 2 and 3 with molecular glioblastoma-like profile (IDHwt hLGG) and IDHwt glioblastoma patients. Primary outcome was the incidence proportion of epilepsy during the disease course. Secondary outcomes included, among others, onset of epilepsy, number of seizure days, and antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy. RESULTS: Out of 254 patients, 78% (50/64) IDHwt hLGG and 68% (129/190) IDHwt glioblastoma patients developed epilepsy during the disease (P = .121). Epilepsy onset before histopathological diagnosis occurred more frequently in IDHwt hLGG compared to IDHwt glioblastoma patients (90% vs 60%, P < .001), with a significantly longer median time to diagnosis (3.5 vs 1.3 months, P < .001). Median total seizure days was also longer for IDHwt hLGG patients (7.0 vs 3.0, P = .005), and they received more often AED polytherapy (32% vs 17%, P = .028). CONCLUSIONS: Although the incidence proportion of epilepsy during the entire disease course is similar, IDHwt hLGG patients show a significantly higher incidence of epilepsy before diagnosis and a significantly longer median time between first seizure and diagnosis compared to IDHwt glioblastoma patients, indicating a distinct clinical course.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Epilepsy , Glioblastoma , Glioma , Humans , Glioblastoma/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Glioma/pathology , Mutation , Seizures , Anticonvulsants , Isocitrate Dehydrogenase/genetics
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