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1.
Medicine (Baltimore) ; 103(17): e37923, 2024 Apr 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38669361

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare, highly malignant form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma categorized under the diffuse large B-cell type. It accounts for merely 1% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases and comprises approximately 3% of all brain tumors. The involvement of the cerebellum is observed in only 9% of these cases. Recently, we came across an unusual instance: a young man presenting with multiple lesions located specifically within the cerebellum. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 26-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to severe headaches. He has a medical history of sporadic headaches, accompanied by dizziness, nausea, and vomiting persisting for a month. Over the last 10 days, his headaches have intensified, coupled with decreased vision and protrusion of the eyeballs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal signals in both cerebellar hemispheres. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES: Diagnostic procedures included cerebellar biopsy, posterior fossa decompression, and lateral ventricle drainage. Histopathological examination identified diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with high proliferative activity. To minimize neurotoxicity, chemotherapy involved intrathecal methotrexate (MTX) injections combined with the CHOP program. The patient has shown good tolerance to the treatment so far. LESSONS: While the definitive optimal treatment approach remains elusive, current chemotherapy centered on high-dose MTX stands as the standard induction therapy. Integrating surgery with radiotherapy and chemotherapy significantly extends patient survival.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse , Humans , Male , Adult , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/therapy , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology , Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/pathology , Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use , Cyclophosphamide/administration & dosage , Vincristine/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Methotrexate/therapeutic use , Methotrexate/administration & dosage , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Prednisone/administration & dosage , Combined Modality Therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Cerebellum/pathology , Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging
2.
Clin Cancer Res ; 30(11): 2545-2557, 2024 Jun 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38551501

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common childhood malignant brain tumor, has a poor prognosis in about 30% of patients. The current standard of care, which includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, is often responsible for cognitive, neurologic, and endocrine side effects. We investigated whether chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells directed toward the disialoganglioside GD2 can represent a potentially more effective treatment with reduced long-term side effects. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: GD2 expression was evaluated on primary tumor biopsies of MB children by flow cytometry. GD2 expression in MB cells was also evaluated in response to an EZH2 inhibitor (tazemetostat). In in vitro and in vivo models, GD2+ MB cells were targeted by a CAR-GD2.CD28.4-1BBζ (CAR.GD2)-T construct, including the suicide gene inducible caspase-9. RESULTS: GD2 was expressed in 82.68% of MB tumors. The SHH and G3-G4 subtypes expressed the highest levels of GD2, whereas the WNT subtype expressed the lowest. In in vitro coculture assays, CAR.GD2 T cells were able to kill GD2+ MB cells. Pretreatment with tazemetostat upregulated GD2 expression, sensitizing GD2dimMB cells to CAR.GD2 T cells cytotoxic activity. In orthotopic mouse models of MB, intravenously injected CAR.GD2 T cells significantly controlled tumor growth, prolonging the overall survival of treated mice. Moreover, the dimerizing drug AP1903 was able to cross the murine blood-brain barrier and to eliminate both blood-circulating and tumor-infiltrating CAR.GD2 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental data indicate the potential efficacy of CAR.GD2 T-cell therapy. A phase I/II clinical trial is ongoing in our center (NCT05298995) to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of CAR.GD2 therapy in high-risk MB patients.


Subject(s)
Gangliosides , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Medulloblastoma , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays , Humans , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/immunology , Medulloblastoma/pathology , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/metabolism , Animals , Mice , Gangliosides/metabolism , Gangliosides/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Child , Female , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/immunology , Cerebellar Neoplasms/pathology , Cerebellar Neoplasms/metabolism , Morpholines/pharmacology , Male , Child, Preschool , Benzamides , Biphenyl Compounds , Pyridones
3.
Oncogene ; 43(12): 839-850, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38355808

ABSTRACT

Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant pediatric brain tumors derived from posterior fossa. The current treatment includes maximal safe surgical resection, radiotherapy, whole cranio-spinal radiation and adjuvant with chemotherapy. However, it can only limitedly prolong the survival time with severe side effects and relapse. Defining the intratumoral heterogeneity, cellular origin and identifying the interaction network within tumor microenvironment are helpful for understanding the mechanisms of medulloblastoma tumorigenesis and relapse. Due to technological limitations, the mechanisms of cellular heterogeneity and tumor origin have not been fully understood. Recently, the emergence of single-cell technology has provided a powerful tool for achieving the goal of understanding the mechanisms of tumorigenesis. Several studies have demonstrated the intratumoral heterogeneity and tumor origin for each subtype of medulloblastoma utilizing the single-cell RNA-seq, which has not been uncovered before using conventional technologies. In this review, we present an overview of the current progress in understanding of cellular heterogeneity and tumor origin of medulloblastoma and discuss novel findings in the age of single-cell technologies.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Humans , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/pathology , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Recurrence , Carcinogenesis , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
4.
J Neurosurg Pediatr ; 33(1): 85-94, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37922543

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant intracranial tumor affecting the pediatric population. Despite advancements in multimodal treatment over the past 2 decades yielding a 5-year survival rate > 75%, children who survive often have substantial neurological and cognitive sequelae. The authors aimed to identify risk factors and develop a clinically friendly online calculator for prognostic estimation in pediatric patients with medulloblastoma. METHODS: Pediatric patients with a histopathologically confirmed medulloblastoma were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2000-2018) and split into training and validation cohorts in an 80:20 ratio. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the univariate and multivariate survival predictors. Subsequently, a calculator with those factors was developed to predict 2-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival as well as median survival months for pediatric patients with medulloblastoma. The performance of the calculator was determined by discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred fifty-nine pediatric patients with medulloblastoma met the prespecified inclusion criteria. Age, sex, race, ethnicity, median household income, county attribute, laterality, anatomical location, tumor grade, tumor size, surgery status, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were variables included in the calculator (https://spine.shinyapps.io/Peds_medullo/). The concordance index was 0.769 in the training cohort and 0.755 in the validation cohort, denoting clinically useful predictive accuracy. Good agreement between the predicted and observed outcomes was demonstrated by the calibration plots. CONCLUSIONS: An easy-to-use prognostic calculator for a large cohort of pediatric patients with medulloblastoma was established. Future efforts should focus on improving granularity of population-based registries and externally validating the proposed calculator.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Prognosis , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Machine Learning
5.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep ; 23(12): 841-848, 2023 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37943476

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Review recent advances in the understanding of pediatric medulloblastoma including etiology, biology, radiology, and management of pediatric medulloblastoma. RECENT FINDINGS: The classic four subgroups have been reclassified and further subdivided based on new molecular findings. Research is revealing the cell origins of the different subtypes of medulloblastoma. There has been continued personalization of management based on molecular parameters. While many advances have been made in the knowledge base of this most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, there has not yet been translation into more effective therapies to prolong survival in all subgroups with the possible exception of children with group 3 disease. Quality of life remains a major challenge for long-term survivors.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Humans , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/pathology , Quality of Life , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy
6.
J Neurosci Nurs ; 55(5): 171-177, 2023 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37656664

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: With the improvement of technology and the advancement of medical treatment in recent decades, more and more pediatric medulloblastoma survivors reintegrate to the community. This study aimed to examine the experiences of pediatric medulloblastoma survivors. METHODS: A qualitative research was conducted. Twenty Chinese pediatric medulloblastoma survivors were interviewed. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Colaizzi's analysis method was used to analyze data. RESULTS: There were 4 themes in this study: physical health issues, community reintegration challenges, overcoming psychological pressure, and multiple unmet needs. CONCLUSION: Pediatric medulloblastoma survivors face challenges in the physical, psychological, and social aspects of their health, along with multiple unmet healthcare needs. Nurses should comprehensively assess the survivor's needs from admission, plan for discharge, and provide regular follow-up care after discharge. Furthermore, nurses should collaborate with caregivers, clinicians, and schoolteachers to develop programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life for survivors. It is also important to explore the survival experiences of individuals in different regions.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Humans , Life Change Events , East Asian People , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Quality of Life , Qualitative Research , Survivors , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy
7.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 39(10): 2633-2647, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37632526

ABSTRACT

Central nervous system (CNS) embryonal tumors, commonly found in pediatric patients, represent a heterogeneous mix of lesions with an overall poor (though improving) prognosis. Medulloblastomas are by far the most frequently encountered and most widely studied subtype, though others include atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs), embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMRs), and CNS neuroblastomas, FOX-R2 activated. The classification, diagnosis, and treatment of these lesions have evolved drastically over the years as their molecular underpinnings have been elucidated. We describe the most recent 2021 WHO Classification system, discuss current understanding of the genetic basis, and demonstrate current thinking in treatment for these highly complex tumors. Since surgical resection continues to remain a mainstay of treatment, preventing and managing surgical complications, especially cerebellar mutism syndrome (CMS), is paramount. We describe the current theories for the etiology of CMS and two centers' experience in mitigating its risks. As our surgical toolbox continues to evolve along with our understanding of these tumors, we hope future patients can benefit from both improved overall survival and quality of life.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Neoplasms , Cerebellar Diseases , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Mutism , Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal , Child , Humans , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Mutism/etiology , Mutism/therapy , Quality of Life , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics
8.
J Natl Compr Canc Netw ; 21(10): 1097-1105, 2023 08 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37643637

ABSTRACT

Medulloblastoma in infants and young children is a major challenge to treat because craniospinal irradiation (CSI), a cornerstone of therapy for older children, is disproportionately damaging to very young children. As a result, trials have attempted to delay, omit, and replace this therapy. Although success has been limited, the approach has not been a complete failure. In fact, this approach has cured a significant number of children with medulloblastoma. However, many children have endured intensive regimens of chemotherapy only to experience relapse and undergo salvage treatment with CSI, often at higher doses and with worse morbidity than they would have initially experienced. Recent advancements in molecular diagnostics have proven that response to therapy is biologically driven. Medulloblastoma in infants and young children is divided into 2 molecular groups: Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) and group 3 (G3). Both are chemotherapy-sensitive, but only the SHH medulloblastomas are reliably cured with chemotherapy alone. Moreover, SHH can be molecularly parsed into 2 groups: SHH-1 and SHH-2, with SHH-2 showing higher cure rates with less intensive chemotherapy and SHH-1 requiring more intensive regimens. G3 medulloblastoma, on the other hand, has a near universal relapse rate after chemotherapy-only regimens. This predictability represents a significant breakthrough and affords oncologists the ability to properly risk-stratify therapy in such a way that the most curative and least toxic therapy is selected. This review examines the treatment of medulloblastoma in infants and young children, discusses the molecular advancements, and proposes how to use this information to structure the future management of this disease.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Infant , Humans , Adolescent , Child, Preschool , Medulloblastoma/diagnosis , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Hedgehog Proteins/genetics , Hedgehog Proteins/therapeutic use , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local , Recurrence
9.
Front Immunol ; 14: 1227143, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37593739

ABSTRACT

Background: Non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the subtypes with the highest genetic heterogeneity in MB, and its current treatment strategies have unsatisfactory results and significant side effects. As a member of the centromere protein (CENP) family, centromeric protein E (CENPE) is a microtubule plus-end-directed kinetochore protein. Heterozygous mutations in CENPE can leads to primary microcephaly syndrome. It has been reported that CENPE is upregulated in MB, but its role in MB development is still unknown. Methods: We downloaded the relevant RNA seq data and matched clinical information from the GEO database. Bioinformatics analysis includes differential gene expression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, nomogram analysis, ROC curve analysis, immune cell infiltration analysis, and gene function enrichment analysis. Moreover, the effects of CENPE expression on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and p53 signaling pathway of non-WNT/non-SHH MB were validated using CENPE specific siRNA in vitro experiments. Results: Compared with normal tissues, CENPE was highly expressed in MB tissues and served as an independent prognostic factor for survival in non-WNT/non-SHH MB patients. The nomogram analysis and ROC curve further confirmed these findings. At the same time, immune cell infiltration analysis showed that CENPE may participate in the immune response and tumor microenvironment (TME) of non-WNT/non-SHH MB. In addition, gene enrichment analysis showed that CENPE was closely related to the cell cycle and p53 pathway in non-WNT/non-SHH MB. In vitro experimental validation showed that knockdown of CENPE inhibited cell proliferation by activating the p53 signaling pathway and blocking the cell cycle. Conclusion: The expression of CENPE in non-WNT/non-SHH MB was positively correlated with poor prognosis. CENPE may affect tumor progression by regulating cell cycle, p53 pathway, and immune infiltration. Hence, CENPE is highly likely a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for non-WNT/non-SHH MB.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Microcephaly , Humans , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 , Biomarkers , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics
10.
Neurology ; 101(12): e1256-e1271, 2023 09 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37524533

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Medulloblastomas are embryonal tumors predominantly affecting children. Recognition of molecularly defined subgroups has advanced management. Factors influencing the management and prognosis of adult patients with medulloblastoma remains poorly understood. METHODS: We examined the management, prognostic factors, and, when possible, molecular subgroup differences (subset) in adult patients (aged 18 years or older) with medulloblastoma from our center (specialty Neuro-Oncology clinic within a large academic practice) diagnosed between 1992 and 2020. Molecular subtyping corresponding to the 2021 WHO Classification was performed. Kaplan-Meier estimates (with log-rank test) were performed for univariate survival analysis with Cox regression used for multivariate analyses. RESULTS: We included 76 adult patients with medulloblastoma (62% male), with a median age of 32 years at diagnosis (range: 18-66) and median follow-up of 7.7 years (range: 0.6-27). A subset of 58 patients had molecular subgroup characterization-37 SHH-activated, 12 non-WNT/non-SHH, and 9 WNT-activated. Approximately 67% underwent gross total resection, 75% received chemotherapy at diagnosis, and 97% received craniospinal irradiation with boost. The median overall survival (OS) for the whole cohort was 14.8 years. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year OS rates were 93% (95% CI 88-99), 86% (78-94), and 64% (53-78), respectively. Survival was longer for younger patients (aged 30 years or older: 9.9 years; younger than 30 years: estimated >15.4 years; log-rank p < 0.001). There was no survival difference by molecular subgroup or extent of resection. Only age at diagnosis remained significant in multivariate survival analyses. DISCUSSION: We report one of the largest retrospective cohorts in adult patients with medulloblastoma with molecular subtyping. Survival and molecular subgroup frequencies were similar to prior reports. Survival was better for adult patients younger than 30 years at diagnosis and was not significantly different by molecular subgroup or management characteristics (extent of resection, RT characteristics, or chemotherapy timing or regimen).


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Humans , Adult , Male , Adolescent , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Female , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/diagnosis , Retrospective Studies , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/diagnosis , Prognosis , Survival Analysis
11.
Acta Neuropathol Commun ; 11(1): 111, 2023 07 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37430373

ABSTRACT

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common type of malignant pediatric brain cancer. The current standard of care (SOC) involves maximal safe resection and chemoradiotherapy in individuals older than 3 years, often leading to devastating neurocognitive and developmental deficits. Out of the four distinct molecular subgroups, Group 3 and 4 have the poorest patient outcomes due to the aggressive nature of the tumor and propensity to metastasize and recur post therapy. The toxicity of the SOC and lack of response in specific subtypes to the SOC underscores the urgent need for developing and translating novel treatment options including immunotherapies. To identify differentially enriched surface proteins that could be evaluated for potential future immunotherapeutic interventions, we leveraged N-glycocapture surfaceome profiling on Group 3 MB cells from primary tumor, through therapy, to recurrence using our established therapy-adapted patient derived xenograft model. Integrin 𝛼5 (ITGA5) was one of the most differentially enriched targets found at recurrence when compared to engraftment and untreated timepoints. In addition to being enriched at recurrence, shRNA-mediated knockdown and small molecule inhibition of ITGA5 have resulted in marked decrease in proliferation and self-renewal in vitro and demonstrated a survival advantage in vivo. Together, our data highlights the value of dynamic profiling of cells as they evolve through therapy and the identification of ITGA5 as a promising therapeutic target for recurrent Group 3 MB.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Brain , Aggression , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy
12.
Metab Brain Dis ; 38(7): 2393-2400, 2023 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37261631

ABSTRACT

Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most common malignant childhood brain tumors (WHO grade IV). Its high degree of malignancy leads to an unsatisfactory prognosis, requiring more precise and personalized treatment in the near future. Multi-omics and artificial intelligence have been playing a significant role in precise medical research, but their implementation needs a large amount of clinical information and biomaterials. For these reasons, it is urgent for current MB researchers to establish a large sample-size database of MB that contains complete clinical data and sufficient biomaterials such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), cancer tissue, and urine. Unfortunately, there are few biobanks of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors throughout the world for limited specimens, scarce funds, different standards collecting methods and et cl. Even though, China falls behind western countries in this area. The present research set up a standard workflow to construct the Beijing Children's Hospital Medulloblastoma (BCH-MB) biobank. Clinical data from children with MB and for collecting and storing biomaterials, along with regular follow-up has been collected and recorded in this database. In the future, the BCH-MB biobank could make it possible to validate the promising biomarkers already identified, discover unrevealed MB biomarkers, develop novel therapies, and establish personalized prognostic models for children with MB upon the support of its sufficient data and biomaterials, laying the foundation for individualized therapies of children with MB.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/diagnosis , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/pathology , Artificial Intelligence , Cerebellar Neoplasms/diagnosis , Cerebellar Neoplasms/pathology , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Prognosis , Brain Neoplasms/diagnosis , Hospitals
13.
Neuro Oncol ; 25(12): 2273-2286, 2023 12 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37379234

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prognosis for Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients with medulloblastoma (MB) is poor. Comprehensive clinical data for this patient group is lacking, challenging the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we present clinical and molecular data on a retrospective cohort of pediatric LFS MB patients. METHODS: In this multinational, multicenter retrospective cohort study, LFS patients under 21 years with MB and class 5 or class 4 constitutional TP53 variants were included. TP53 mutation status, methylation subgroup, treatment, progression free- (PFS) and overall survival (OS), recurrence patterns, and incidence of subsequent neoplasms were evaluated. RESULTS: The study evaluated 47 LFS individuals diagnosed with MB, mainly classified as DNA methylation subgroup "SHH_3" (86%). The majority (74%) of constitutional TP53 variants represented missense variants. The 2- and 5-year (y-) PFS were 36% and 20%, and 2- and 5y-OS were 53% and 23%, respectively. Patients who received postoperative radiotherapy (RT) (2y-PFS: 44%, 2y-OS: 60%) or chemotherapy before RT (2y-PFS: 32%, 2y-OS: 48%) had significantly better clinical outcome then patients who were not treated with RT (2y-PFS: 0%, 2y-OS: 25%). Patients treated according to protocols including high-intensity chemotherapy and patients who received only maintenance-type chemotherapy showed similar outcomes (2y-PFS: 42% and 35%, 2y-OS: 68% and 53%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: LFS MB patients have a dismal prognosis. In the presented cohort use of RT significantly increased survival rates, whereas chemotherapy intensity did not influence their clinical outcome. Prospective collection of clinical data and development of novel treatments are required to improve the outcome of LFS MB patients.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Li-Fraumeni Syndrome , Medulloblastoma , Child , Humans , Li-Fraumeni Syndrome/complications , Li-Fraumeni Syndrome/genetics , Li-Fraumeni Syndrome/therapy , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/drug therapy , Retrospective Studies , Prospective Studies , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/drug therapy , Germ-Line Mutation , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
14.
Childs Nerv Syst ; 39(11): 3185-3194, 2023 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37173434

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant primary pediatric brain tumor. Over the years, an increase in published research has been observed on this topic. However, there is a lack of analysis on the characteristics and trends and the socioeconomic indicators associated with medulloblastoma research productivity and impact. METHODS: The Scopus database was used to search all articles from inception to 2020. Bibliometric information was obtained from Scopus, and bibliometrics diagrams were created using VOSviewer software. Statistical analysis was performed using the GraphPad Prism software version 7. RESULTS: A total of 4058 research articles on medulloblastoma research worldwide were included in this study. There has been an increase in published articles, with a steep increase observed in the last decade. The country with the most publications is the USA, with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital as the most productive institution in medulloblastoma research. The articles mainly focused on molecular biology, diagnosis, treatment, prognostic factors for medulloblastoma, and research on other pediatric tumors. The number of collaborations with other countries showed the strongest positive correlation with scientific productivity. CONCLUSION: This analysis showed the trend and characteristics of published articles. The results of this study emphasized the need to increase funding for research, support for researchers and physicians, and promote more collaborations with countries and institutions engaged in medulloblastoma research.


Subject(s)
Biomedical Research , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Bibliometrics , Databases, Factual , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy
15.
Front Immunol ; 14: 1062856, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36825029

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Medulloblastoma is the most common and lethal pediatric malignant brain tumor. It comprises four main molecular subgroups: WNT-activated, SHH-activated, Group 3, and Group 4. Medulloblastoma treatment is surgical resection, craniospinal radiation, and chemotherapy. However, many patients do not respond to therapy, and most suffer severe side effects. Cancer immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoints (IC) (PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA4) has been getting disappointing outcomes in brain tumors. Nevertheless, other less explored immune checkpoints may be promising candidates for medulloblastoma therapy. Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to characterize the expression profile of 19 immune checkpoints in medulloblastoma. Methods: We analyzed 88 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded medulloblastomas previously classified for each molecular subgroup and three non-tumoral brain tissue. mRNA levels of 19 immune checkpoint-related genes were quantified using the nCounter (PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel) assay. Further in silico analysis was performed in two larger public microarray datasets, one of which enabled comparisons between tumoral and non-tumoral tissues. Immunohistochemistry of PD-L1 was performed in a subset of cases. Microsatellite instability was also molecularly analyzed. Results: We observed an absence of expression of the canonic ICs, namely PDCD1 (PD-1), CD274 (PD-L1), and CTLA4, as well as CD80, CD86, BTLA, IDO1, CD48, TNFSF14, CD160, CEACAM1, and CD244. PD-L1 protein expression was also practically absent. We found higher mRNA levels of CD24, CD47, CD276 (B7-H3), and PVR, and lower mRNA levels of HAVCR2, LAG3, and TIGIT genes, with significant differences across the four molecular subgroups. Compared to the non-tumor tissues, the expression levels of CD276 in all subgroups and CD24 in SHH, Group 3, and Group 4 subgroups are significantly higher. The in silico analysis confirmed the expression profile found in the Brazilian cohort, including the lower/absent expression of the canonic ICs. Moreover, it confirmed the overexpression of CD24 and CD276 in medulloblastomas compared with the non-tumor tissue. Additionally, CD276 and CD24 high levels were associated with worse survival. Conclusion: These results highlight the low or absence of mRNA levels of the canonic targetable ICs in medulloblastomas. Importantly, the analysis revealed overexpression of CD24 and CD276, which can constitute prognostic biomarkers and attractive immunotherapy targets for medulloblastomas.


Subject(s)
Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , B7-H1 Antigen/genetics , CTLA-4 Antigen/genetics , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism , Immunotherapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , RNA, Messenger , B7 Antigens , CD24 Antigen
16.
Bull Cancer ; 110(4): 412-423, 2023 Apr.
Article in French | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36822958

ABSTRACT

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a malignant brain tumor that mainly affects children. It is rarely found in adults. Among the four groups of MB defined today according to molecular characteristics, group 3 is the least favorable with an overall survival rate of 50 %. Current treatments, based on surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, are not sufficiently adapted to the different characteristics of the four MB groups. However, the use of new cellular and animal models has opened new doors to interesting therapeutic avenues. In this review, we detail recent advances in MB research, with a focus on the genes and pathways that drive tumorigenesis, with particular emphasis on the animal models that have been developed to study tumor biology, as well as advances in new targeted therapies.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Animals , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/metabolism , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Models, Animal , Survival Rate
17.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol ; 45(3): e345-e349, 2023 04 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36731067

ABSTRACT

Few reports on clinical factors, treatment, and survival in children and adolescents with Central nervous system tumors in low-income and middle-income countries in Latin America exist. We retrospectively reviewed such data in all cases of patients younger than 18 years with brain tumors diagnosed in a single tertiary care center in Peru from 2007 through 2017. Variables were analyzed for association with overall survival and event-free survival by using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox hazards ratio regression. Seventy-five patients' data were analyzed (40 boys, 35 girls; mean age=7.7 y). The main clinical symptoms were headache, vomiting, difficulty walking, and visual disturbances. The most frequent clinical signs were hydrocephalus, cerebellar signs, visual abnormalities, and focal motor signs. The median time to diagnosis was 12 weeks. Tumor resection was performed in 68 patients, and 37 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The most frequent histologic subtypes were low-grade gliomas and medulloblastomas. Overall survival rates at 1 and 5 years of disease were 78% (CI 95%, 0.67 to 0.86) and 74% (CI 95%, 0.62 to 0.82), respectively, and the 5-year event-free survival rate was 62% (CI 95%, 0.47 to 0.73). Although diagnosis occurred late in our cohort, the survival rate was higher than that in other Latin American countries.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Child , Male , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Peru/epidemiology , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/epidemiology , Central Nervous System Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy
19.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets ; 22(5): 634-642, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35579144

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medulloblastomas (MB) are the most common malignant brain tumors in the pediatric age. In 2021, WHO categorized medulloblastomas into two groups: molecularly defined and histologically defined medulloblastomas. Molecularly defined medulloblastomas are divided into WNTactivated medulloblastoma, SHH-activated and TP53-wildtype medulloblastoma, SHH-activated, and TP53-mutant and non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma, which include Group 3 (MYC) and Group 4 (CDK6 and MYCN). In this paper, we will focus on molecularly defined medulloblastomas. OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to review the literature in order to describe the molecular structure of the medulloblastoma groups and to emphasize the importance of genetic predictors in medulloblastoma that can be used in clinical practice, either as a prognostic tool or as a therapeutic target in the future. RESULTS: Each molecular subtype of medulloblastoma presents a different prognosis, and the molecular subtype with the best prognosis is medulloblastoma-activated WNT. It has even been observed that a reduction in the intensity of the combined treatment does not modify the prognosis of the patients, resulting in even fewer adverse effects due to the treatment. On the other hand, it was observed that the subtypes with the worst prognosis are medulloblastomas with activated MYC and medulloblastomas with activated SHH and mutated TP53, due to their high capacity to metastasize or to their radio-resistance. However, a new target therapy has emerged that could help improve the prognosis in these patients. CONCLUSION: The deeper knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in the appearance and progression of medulloblastomas will allow us to offer a prognosis at the time of diagnosis and more specific treatments through the development of the targeted therapy.


Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms , Cerebellar Neoplasms , Medulloblastoma , Humans , Child , Medulloblastoma/genetics , Medulloblastoma/therapy , Medulloblastoma/metabolism , Genetic Markers , Cerebellar Neoplasms/genetics , Cerebellar Neoplasms/therapy , Cerebellar Neoplasms/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Combined Modality Therapy
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