Citations

Abstract Brain metastases occur commonly in patients with advanced solid malignancies. Yet, less is known about brain metastases than cancer-related entities of similar incidence. Advances in oncologic care have heightened the importance of intracranial management. Here, in this consensus review supported by the Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), we review the landscape of brain metastases with particular attention to management approaches and ongoing efforts with potential to shape future paradigms of care. Each coauthor carried an area of expertise within the field of brain metastases and initially composed, edited, or reviewed their specific subsection of interest. After each subsection was accordingly written, multiple drafts of the manuscript were circulated to the entire list of authors for group discussion and feedback. The hope is that the these consensus guidelines will accelerate progress in the understanding and management of patients with brain metastases, and highlight key areas in need of further exploration that will lead to dedicated trials and other research investigations designed to advance the field.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate postoperative swallowing disorders in patients diagnosed with CM I after decompression neurosurgery.METHODS: We selected 54 patients after decompression neurosurgery procedure for CM I from January 2017 to December 2019. We evaluated the speech-language assessment (CSLSA) 24-hours after post-surgical extubation. CSLSA observed aspects of posture, sensitivity, tone, and extra- and intraoral mobility of the FAO and visualizing the functions of breathing, phonation, articulation, chewing, and swallowing. We correlated the severity of the dysphagia and the presence of associated malformations in the CM I patients.RESULTS: In our study, 39 patients were female (mean age 41.3±47.1 years). Thirty-seven patients had associated malformations (p=0.0243): 21 patients syringomyelia, 11 basilar invagination and 5 syringomyelia and basilar invagination. Dysphagia was present in 37 of the cases (68.5%;p=0.0016). Dysphonia in 13 (24.1%;p=0.4785) and dysarthria in 3 (5.6%;p=0.0042). We observed in the CSLSA: orofacial hypomobility (29-patients–53.7%;p=0.0204), orofacial hyposensitivity (26-patients–48.1%; p=0.3023), reduced GAG reflex (24 patients–44.5%;p=0.1041), ineffective cough (19 patients–35.2%;p=0.0022), ineffective saliva swallowing (18-patients–33.3%;p=0.0396), dyspnea (13-patients–24.1%;p=0.4785), orofacial hypotonia (11-patients–20.4%;p=0.0004), altered cervical auscultation (10-patients–18.5%;p=0.0003), and dysarthria (3-patients–9.3%;p=0.0042). The presence of associated malformations significantly influenced the appearance of swallowing disorders, the severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia, the post-surgical complications (17-patients–31.5%;p<0.001), and the clinical outcomes (p=0.0029) of patients with CM type I. CONCLUSION: Decompressive neurosurgery for CM I had low rates of post-surgical complications overall. However, there was a high incidence of dysphagia. The presence of associated malformations is related with poorer prognosis and greater severity of oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with CM I.

AbstractBackgroundEvidence suggests that select hippocampal subfields are implicated in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and are selectively involved in objective memory. Less is known whether subfields are associated with informant-reported memory difficulties of individuals with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).MethodData from 56 participants with a diagnosis of amnestic MCI were included in the present study. To test whether FreeSurfer derived hippocampal subfields (CA1–4, subiculum, presubiculum, and dentate gyrus) were associated with objective (learning and delayed recall) and informant-reports of memory difficulties, we used multiple linear regression analysis. Subfields were adjusted for total intracranial volume, and age, sex, and years of education were included as covariates in all models.ResultsLarger presubiculum, subiculum, and CA4/dentate gyrus volumes were associated with higher delayed recall scores, and larger subiculum and CA4/dentate gyrus volumes were associated with fewer informant-reports of memory difficulties. There were no statistically significant associations between subfields and learning scores.DiscussionFindings from the present study support the idea that difficulties with memory-dependent everyday tasks in older adults with MCI may signal a neurodegenerative process while increasing understanding of subfields correlates of these memory-specific functional difficulties. Continued investigations into identifying patterns of subfield atrophy in AD may aid early identification of those at higher risk of dementia conversion while advancing precision medicine.

Abstract Background. DCIS consists of a molecularly heterogeneous group of premalignant lesions, with variable risk of invasive progression. Understanding biomarkers for invasive progression could help individualize treatment recommendations based upon tumor biology. As part of the NCI Human Tumor Atlas Network (HTAN), we conducted comprehensive genomic analyses on two large DCIS case-control cohorts. Methods. We performed smart3-seq and low-pass whole genome sequencing on two independent, retrospective, longitudinally sampled DCIS case-control cohorts. TBCRC 038 was a multicenter cohort diagnosed with DCIS between 1998 and 2016 at one of the Translational Breast Cancer Research sites; the RAHBT (Resource of Archival Human Breast Tissue) cohort included women identified through the St. Louis Breast Tissue Repository, and the Women’s Health Repository diagnosed between 1997 and 2001. We studied the spectrum of molecular changes present and sought genomic predictors of subsequent ipsilateral breast events (iBEs: DCIS recurrence or invasive progression) in both DCIS epithelium and stroma in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. We generated de novo tumor and stroma-centric subtypes for DCIS that represents fundamental transcriptomic organization. Copy number analysis was performed using low-pass DNA sequencing. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) was applied to the RNA expression of all coding genes to identify clusters. A negative-binomial regression model was used to identify differentially expressed genes. Results. We analyzed 677 DCIS samples from 481 patients with 7.1 years median follow-up. In TBCRC samples, we identified three clusters via NMF in TBCRC referred to as ER low, quiescent, and ER high. The ER-low cluster had significantly higher levels of ERBB2 and lower levels of ESR1 compared to quiescent and ER-high clusters. Quiescent cluster lesions were less proliferative and less metabolically active than ER high and ER low subtypes. These findings were replicated in the RAHBT cohort. Focusing on the stromal component of DCIS from laser capture microdissection in RAHBT samples, we identified four distinct DCIS-associated stromal clusters. A “normal-like” stromal cluster with ECM organization and PI3K-AKT signaling; a “collagen-rich” stromal cluster; a “desmoplastic” stromal cluster with high fibroblast and total myeloid abundance, mostly associated with macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells (mDC); and an “immune-dense” stromal cluster. Further, we compared differentially expressed genes in patients with or without subsequent iBEs within 5 years of diagnosis. Hypothesizing that the resulting 812 DE genes (DESeq2) represent multiple routes to subsequent iBEs, we leveraged NMF to identify paths to progression. In both TBCRC and RAHBT cohorts, poor outcome groups exhibited increased ER, MYC signaling, and oxidative phosphorylation, supporting that these pathways are important for DCIS recurrence and progression. Conclusion. Comprehensive genomic profiling in two independent DCIS cohorts with longitudinal outcomes shows distinct DCIS stromal expression patterns and immune cell composition. RNA expression profiles reveal underlying tumor biology that is associated with later iBEs in both cohorts. These studies provide new insight into DCIS biology and will guide the design of diagnostic strategies to prevent invasive progression. Citation Format: Siri H Strand, Belén Rivero-Gutiérrez, Kathleen E Houlahan, Jose A Seoane, Lorraine M King, Tyler Risom, Lunden Simpson, Sujay Vennam, Aziz Khan, Timothy Hardman, Bryan E Harmon, Fergus J Couch, Kristalyn Gallagher, Mark Kilgore, Shi Wei, Angela DeMichele, Tari King, Priscilla F McAuliffe, Julie Nangia, Joanna Lee, Jennifer Tseng, Anna Maria Storniolo, Alastair Thompson, Gaorav Gupta, Robyn Burns, Deborah J Veis, Katherine DeSchryver, Chunfang Zhu, Magdalena Matusiak, Jason Wang, Shirley X Zhu, Jen Tappenden, Daisy Yi Ding, Dadong Zhang, Jingqin Luo, Shu Jiang, Sushama Varma, Cody Straub, Sucheta Srivastava, Christina Curtis, Rob Tibshirani, Robert Michael Angelo, Allison Hall, Kouros Owzar, Kornelia Polyak, Carlo Maley, Jeffrey R Marks, Graham A Colditz, E Shelley Hwang, Robert B West. The Breast PreCancer Atlas DCIS genomic signatures define biology and correlate with clinical outcomes: An analysis of TBCRC 038 and RAHBT cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr GS4-07.

AbstractBackgroundFrontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) refers to a group of neurodegenerative conditions, affecting the frontal and/or temporal lobes. Ongoing research has provided insight into developing clinical trials for FTLD and key clinical measures such as structural MRI. To inform clinical trial design and optimize participation, it is imperative to explore facilitators and barriers for potential candidates.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to explore facilitators and barriers to participating in future clinical trials for FTLD.MethodsAdvancing Research and Treatment for Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ARTFL) and Longitudinal Evaluation of Familial Frontotemporal Dementia Subjects (LEFFTDS) are observational studies focused on characterizing FTLD syndromes in preparation for clinical trials. The 584 participants enrolled across 18 research sites in the United States and Canada completed a survey assessing interest in clinical trial participation.Results29% of respondents self‐reported as patients (63±10 years), 26% self‐reported as caregivers answering on behalf of patients (65±10 years), and 45% self‐reported as healthy but at risk for FTLD (48±14 years). Travel reimbursement was the most common factor reported to positively influence participation (≧66%), with the healthy but at risk group showing the strongest endorsement (83%). Cost and time involved in travel were possible barriers for about half of the patients (48%) and healthy but at risk respondents (53%). The respondents value receiving feedback on the study findings (≧80%) and being informed of their individual disease progression (≧75%). Particularly, keeping participation confidential was very important for the healthy but at risk group (62%). In regard to research assessments, most participants demonstrated a high interest in physical and neurological exams at a research center (≧87%) whereas only half were interested in doing more invasive procedures such as the lumbar puncture (≧52%). Overall, respondents showed a positive attitude and support for research participation (≧77%) and trusted that their health information would remain confidential in a clinical trial (≧53%).ConclusionsFavorable attitudes and interest towards medical research exist among participants. To optimize participation, clinical trials should allocate funding for travel and involve participants in feedback about study results and their disease progression. Alternatives to invasive assessments may increase participation.

Abstract Purpose To provide guidance to clinicians regarding therapy for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors. Methods ASCO convened an Expert Panel and conducted a systematic review of the literature. Results Thirty-two randomized trials published in 2008 or later met eligibility criteria and form the primary evidentiary base. Recommendations Surgery is a reasonable option for patients with brain metastases. Patients with large tumors with mass effect are more likely to benefit than those with multiple brain metastases and/or uncontrolled systemic disease. Patients with symptomatic brain metastases should receive local therapy regardless of the systemic therapy used. For patients with asymptomatic brain metastases, local therapy should not be deferred unless deferral is specifically recommended in this guideline. The decision to defer local therapy should be based on a multidisciplinary discussion of the potential benefits and harms that the patient may experience. Several regimens were recommended for non–small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. For patients with asymptomatic brain metastases and no systemic therapy options, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone should be offered to patients with one to four unresected brain metastases, excluding small-cell lung carcinoma. SRS alone to the surgical cavity should be offered to patients with one to two resected brain metastases. SRS, whole brain radiation therapy, or their combination are reasonable options for other patients. Memantine and hippocampal avoidance should be offered to patients who receive whole brain radiation therapy and have no hippocampal lesions and 4 months or more expected survival. Patients with asymptomatic brain metastases with either Karnofsky Performance Status ≤ 50 or Karnofsky Performance Status &lt; 70 with no systemic therapy options do not derive benefit from radiation therapy. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/neurooncology-guidelines.

PURPOSE To provide guidance to clinicians regarding therapy for patients with brain metastases from solid tumors. METHODS ASCO convened an Expert Panel and conducted a systematic review of the literature. RESULTS Thirty-two randomized trials published in 2008 or later met eligibility criteria and form the primary evidentiary base. RECOMMENDATIONS Surgery is a reasonable option for patients with brain metastases. Patients with large tumors with mass effect are more likely to benefit than those with multiple brain metastases and/or uncontrolled systemic disease. Patients with symptomatic brain metastases should receive local therapy regardless of the systemic therapy used. For patients with asymptomatic brain metastases, local therapy should not be deferred unless deferral is specifically recommended in this guideline. The decision to defer local therapy should be based on a multidisciplinary discussion of the potential benefits and harms that the patient may experience. Several regimens were recommended for non–small-cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma. For patients with asymptomatic brain metastases and no systemic therapy options, stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone should be offered to patients with one to four unresected brain metastases, excluding small-cell lung carcinoma. SRS alone to the surgical cavity should be offered to patients with one to two resected brain metastases. SRS, whole brain radiation therapy, or their combination are reasonable options for other patients. Memantine and hippocampal avoidance should be offered to patients who receive whole brain radiation therapy and have no hippocampal lesions and 4 months or more expected survival. Patients with asymptomatic brain metastases with either Karnofsky Performance Status ≤ 50 or Karnofsky Performance Status < 70 with no systemic therapy options do not derive benefit from radiation therapy. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/neurooncology-guidelines .

Abstract PURPOSE Standard of care for craniopharyngiomas is surgery with or without radiotherapy (RT). Cohort A of Alliance A071601 evaluated the efficacy of BRAF/MEK inhibition with vemurafenib/cobimetinib in patients with previously untreated papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCP), which carry the BRAF V600E mutation. Cohort B is currently enrolling patients with recurrence after RT. In a correlative analysis, we examined changes in RT volumes after BRAF/MEK therapy in Cohort A. METHODS Previously unirradiated patients with BRAF-mutated PCP were treated with vemurafenib/cobimetinib. Sixteen patients had scans available before starting vemurafenib/cobimetinib (“pre-therapy”) and after completing therapy (“post-therapy”). Two patients went off study treatment after 8 and 9 days due to side-effects and were excluded for this analysis. Gross target volumes (GTV) were contoured on pre-therapy and post-therapy scans. On post-therapy scans, an additional target comprising gross disease and at-risk regions for microscopic residual disease (GTV-micro) was defined and considered the treatment volume. Clinical target volume (CTV) was a 5-mm uniform expansion on pre-therapy GTV and post-therapy GTV-micro. Volumes were independently reviewed by two radiation oncologists. Changes in volumes from pre- versus post-therapy were compared using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS In 14 patients evaluated, 57% were female and median age at enrollment was 49.5 years (range 33-83). Median time on treatment was 8.9 months (range 4.0-18.0). Median GTV pre-therapy was 3.8 mL (range 0.2-23.4) versus 0.3 mL (range 0.0-3.2) post-therapy (p=0.0001) and 1.7 mL (range 0.1-8.0) post-therapy GTV-micro (p=0.0001). Median CTV pre-therapy was 13.7 mL (range 2.8-51.8) versus 9.1 mL (range 2.2-27.5) post-therapy (p=0.0001). All tumors abutted the optic chiasm pre-therapy, only 6 did post-therapy. CONCLUSIONS Vemurafenib/cobimetinib resulted in smaller RT volumes. BRAF/MEK inhibitors could reduce RT volumes and spare dose to surrounding normal structures. Enrollment to Cohort B of Alliance A071601 should be considered for patients with recurrent tumors after RT. SUPPORT https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org

AbstractBackgroundWith increasing molecular analyses of meningiomas, there is a need to harmonize language used to capture clinical data across centers to ensure that molecular alterations are appropriately linked to clinical variables of interest. Here the International Consortium on Meningiomas presents a set of core and supplemental meningioma-specific common data elements (CDEs) to facilitate comparative and pooled analyses.MethodsThe generation of CDEs followed the 4-phase process similar to other National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) CDE projects: discovery, internal validation, external validation, and distribution.ResultsThe CDEs were organized into patient- and tumor-level modules. In total, 17 core CDEs (10 patient level and 7 tumor level) as well as 14 supplemental CDEs (7 patient level and 7 tumor level) were defined and described. These CDEs are now made publicly available for dissemination and adoption.ConclusionsCDEs provide a framework for discussion in the neuro-oncology community that will facilitate data-sharing for collaborative research projects and aid in developing a common language for comparative and pooled analyses. The meningioma-specific CDEs presented here are intended to be dynamic parameters that evolve with time and The Consortium welcomes international feedback for further refinement and implementation of these CDEs.