Characterization of purinergic signaling in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from lower- and high-grade gliomas.

Malignant gliomas are highly heterogeneous glia-derived tumors that present an aggressive and invasive nature, with a dismal prognosis. The multi-dimensional interactions between glioma cells and other tumor microenvironment (TME) non-tumoral components constitute a challenge to finding successful treatment strategies. Several molecules, such as extracellular purines, participate in signaling events and support the immunosuppressive TME of glioma patients. The purinergic signaling and the ectoenzymes network involved in the metabolism of these extracellular nucleotides are still unexplored in the glioma TME, especially in lower-grade gliomas (LGG). Also, differences between IDH-mutant (IDH-Mut) versus wild-type (IDH-WT) gliomas are still unknown in this context. For the first time, to our knowledge, this study characterizes the TME of LGG, high-grade gliomas (HGG) IDH-Mut, and HGG IDH-WT patients regarding purinergic ectoenzymes and P1 receptors, focusing on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Here, we show that ectoenzymes from both canonical and non-canonical pathways are increased in the TME when compared to the peripheral blood. We hypothesize this enhancement supports extracellular adenosine generation, hence increasing TME immunosuppression.

Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor in an 8-year-old girl: case report and review of the literature.

Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumors (DLGNTs) are rare central nervous system tumors of childhood that were recently described as a new entity. DLGNTs usually manifest with symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure or spinal cord compression. The classic radiological feature is a widespread leptomeningeal enhancement that may involve the entire neuroaxis. Microscopic examination demonstrates oligodendroglial-like cells that are positive for OLIG2, MAP2, and S100 and negative for IDH-1. Anaplastic features occur in some cases. Molecularly, DLGNTs are characterized by chromosome arm 1p deletion and alteration of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway gene, most commonly BRAF-KIAA1549 fusion. There is no established grading system for these tumors, which may have an indolent or aggressive behavior. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Pineal anlage tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: Pineal anlage tumors (PAT) are extremely rare malignant tumors in the pediatric population considered to be a variant of pineoblastomas. These tumors are characterized by a combination of neuroectodermal and heterologous ectomesenchymal components. PAT can be clinically aggressive and has a propensity to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination. So far, only 13 cases of these tumors have been reported in the literature. CASE ARTICLE: In this article, we report the case of an anlage tumor in a 3-year-old girl with a rapidly aggressive course.

Microsurgical Treatment for Arteriovenous Malformation in Eloquent Area: A 2-Dimensional Surgical Video and Step-by-Step Practical Guide.

Cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are dynamic neurovascular disorders that occur mainly in young adults, presenting an annual risk of rupture of 2% - 4% per year.1 They can be asymptomatic, representing an incidental radiologic finding, or present with neurologic deficits according to their brain location, size, and presence or absence of bleeding.2,3 AVMs located in eloquent areas4 represent a great challenge for neurosurgeons, sometimes directed to alternatives therapies (e.g., embolization, radiotherapy) due to the difficulty in planning and surgical technique. Despite the complexity, we consider that there is benefit to removing these lesions; this can be done safely, as with the adequate microsurgical strategy and neuroanatomic knowledge. In Video 1, we show the case of a 55-year-old male patient with an AVM positioned over the right central sulcus. He presented with intermittent left-hand paresthesia followed by an episode of involuntary movements in the left arm without loss of consciousness and with spontaneous resolution. Angiography showed an AVM feed by branches of the middle cerebral artery and multiple venous drainage for the Trolard complex and superficial middle cerebral vein, with a 4-cm nidus, making it grade III in the Spetzler-Martin classification.4 The patient underwent surgery with total resection of the lesion without any complication or new neurologic deficits.