Citations

ABSTRACT Objective The optimal treatment for neurosarcoidosis myelitis is uncertain. We characterize incident neurosarcoidosis myelitis and assess treatment response by MRI and clinical scales. Methods Incident probable or definite neurosarcoidosis myelitis in adults was retrospectively identified from 13 academic medical centers. Cases were analyzed by initial treatment. The primary outcome was T1 post‐contrast gadolinium enhancement resolution at 6 months post‐treatment. Secondary outcomes were changes in modified Rankin scale (mRS) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) from nadir to final follow‐up. Results Two hundred two patients were identified (median diagnosis age: 47 years (IQR 39–55); male: female 1.3:1). Median nadir mRS and EDSS were 2 (IQR 2–3) and 4 (IQR 2.5–6). At initial treatment, 129 (63.9%) received prolonged corticosteroids ≥ 4 weeks (group A 1 ), 36 (17.8%) received corticosteroids < 4 weeks (B 1 ), 21 (10.4%) received corticosteroids plus sarcoidosis‐directed immunosuppressant (E), and 16 (7.9%) received corticosteroids plus non‐sarcoidosis‐directed agents (F). In 167 cases with sufficient imaging, there were no significant differences in contrast enhancement resolution at 6 months (A 1 27/106 (25.5%), B 1 9/28 (32.1%), E 5/19 (26.3%), F 5/14 (35.7%); Fisher's exact p = 0.76). There were no significant differences in changes in mRS or EDSS among treatment groups (Kruskal–Wallis p = 0.69 and 0.63, respectively) after median follow‐up of 46.5 months (IQR 18–91.3). Interpretation Different initial immunosuppression strategies did not correlate with MRI contrast enhancement resolution at 6 months or clinical scales (mRS, EDSS). However, conclusions are limited by retrospective design, imbalanced cohorts, and insensitivity of binary MRI outcomes and available clinical scales for treatment response in neurosarcoidosis.

Abstract Sinonasal cancers are malignant neoplasms arising from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma. Due to their rarity, comprehensive genomic data remain limited. Treatments include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with ongoing trials investigating agents like cetuximab, cisplatin, and Tazemetostat. We analyzed sinonasal cancer cases from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) database via cBioPortal (v16.1-public, accessed July 22, 2024). Common gene mutations, correlations, and mutual exclusivities were assessed using statistical analyses with false discovery rate correction. Of 2,595 head and neck cancer samples, 122 (4.7%) were sinonasal carcinoma: 70 (57.4%) SCC, 31 (25.4%) undifferentiated carcinoma, and 21 (17.2%) adenocarcinomas. The most frequent mutations were TP53 (tumor protein 53; 40%), PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha; 14%), KMT2D (lysine methyltransferase 2D; 11%), and CDKN2A (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A; 9%). Subtype-specific mutations included IDH2 (isocitrate dehydrogenase; 230%) in undifferentiated carcinoma and FAT1 (15%) in adenocarcinoma. TP53 frequently co-occurred with PRKDC (protein kinase, DNA-activated, catalytic subunit; p = 0.020), while KMT2D co-occurred with PIK3CA (p = 0.018). TP53, PIK3CA, and KMT2D mutations are prevalent in sinonasal carcinoma, highlighting potential targets for therapy. Tazemetostat, targeting KMT2D-related DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) methylation, and cetuximab, targeting the PIK3CA signaling cascade, may offer therapeutic benefits. Further research on mutation-specific therapies could improve treatment strategies.

Abstract Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare head and neck cancer arising from the upper nasal cavity, with limited systemic therapeutic options due to a poor understanding of its genomic landscape. This study aims to utilize a patient-level genomic repository to identify potential therapeutic targets and improve disease modeling in ONB. Retrospective genomic analysis. Data analysis was performed using the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Project Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) database. Patients with confirmed ONB who have undergone targeted sequencing within GENIE. Data were analyzed for recurrent somatic mutations, along with their clinical and demographic correlations, with significance set at p < 0.05. A high prevalence of mutations in TP53 (tumor protein p53) and FRK (fibroblast growth factor receptor kinase) genes was identified. A moderate prevalence of mutations in NOTCH3 (notch receptor 3), SMARCA4 (SWI/SNF related, matrix associated, actin dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4), RET (rearranged during transfection), and CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) was also identified. The mutation patterns differed between pediatric and adult ONB cases. Specific mutations were enriched in metastatic tumors compared with primary tumors. This study provides a genomic profile for ONB, identifying key mutations and potential therapeutic targets. The identification of frequently mutated genes like TP53 and FRK suggests potential targets for novel therapies. The observation that certain genes are mutated in pediatric ONB but not adult ONB (and vice versa), and the presence of specific mutations in metastatic tumors that are absent in primary tumors, offers valuable insights for future precision medicine and the design of targeted therapeutic interventions for these distinct clinical presentations.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare, locally aggressive vascular tumor that primarily affect adolescent males. This work illustrates a step-by-step surgical approach of an advanced-stage JNA resection in a prepubescent 5-year-old child, utilizing a hybrid endoscopic endonasal and transmaxillary approach that provides highly effective results without employing traditional open techniques. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 5-year-old male presented with one-year history of nasal obstruction, mouth breathing, and recurrent otitis media. The patient was found to have a large, space-occupying hypervascular tumor obstructing the nasopharynx. Preoperative radiographic imaging revealed an extensive heterogeneous, avidly enhancing mass that occupied the nasopharynx, right pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, masticator space, and middle cranial fossa. Following superselective endovascular embolization, a hybrid endoscopic endonasal approach was planned for JNA resection, incorporating an anterior maxillotomy to allow for direct access to lateral compartments not classically amenable to conventional transnasal corridors. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the technical feasibility of a combined endoscopic endonasal and transmaxillary approach for single-stage JNA resection with intracranial extension in pediatric patients. Key principles include tumor embolization, dynamic endoscopic visualization, avoidance of brain retraction, direct access to critical neurovascular structures, and minimizing craniofacial morbidity.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare head and neck cancer arising from the mucosal lining of the nasopharynx, for which systemic therapeutic options remain scarce, reflecting the limited characterization of its genomic profile. This study utilized a large patient-level genomic repository to characterize genetic alterations, identify potential therapeutic targets, and improve disease modeling in NPC. Methods: A retrospective analysis of NPC samples was conducted using the AACR Project GENIE database. Targeted sequencing data were analyzed for recurrent somatic mutations, tumor mutational burden, and chromosomal copy number variations, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Frequent mutations were identified in KMT2D (20%), TP53 (16%), CYLD (9.6%), NFKBIA (6.4%), and PIK3CA (5.6%), implicating the p53, NF-κB, and PI3K pathways in NPC development. Notably, significantly distinct mutational profiles were observed based on both sex and race, with female patients exhibiting higher frequencies of PIK3C2G, ETV6, and CDKN1B mutations and non-Asian patients showing enrichment in KDM5A, CCND2, and TP53 mutations. Conclusions: This study presents a detailed genomic profile of NPC, identifying key mutations within established cancer-associated pathways. The identification of frequently mutated pathways (p53, NF-κB, and PI3K) suggests potential targets for novel therapies. Furthermore, distinct mutational landscapes in female and Asian NPC patients offer possibilities for precision therapeutic interventions.

Ophthalmic immune-related adverse events (Eye-irAEs) from immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause visual morbidity. The absence of standardized definitions for Eye-irAEs not only impedes the development of evidence-based treatments but also progress in translational research. The objective of this study was to develop consensus guidance for an approach to Eye-irAEs. Four ophthalmic physicians (uveitis specialists and neuro-ophthalmologists) drafted Eye-irAE consensus guidance and definitions, which were reviewed by the multidisciplinary Eye-irAE definition panel. The panel was divided into Group A (Neuro-ophthalmology/Orbital Disease) and Group B (Uveitis/Ocular Surface Disease). A modified Delphi consensus process was used, with two rounds of anonymous ratings by panelists and two meetings to discuss areas of controversy. For each disorder, five diagnostic components were evaluated: symptoms, examination findings, laboratory studies/imaging findings, diagnostic criteria, and treatment. Panelists rated content for usability, appropriateness and accuracy on 9-point scales in electronic surveys and provided free-text comments. Aggregated survey responses were incorporated into revised definitions. Consensus was based on numeric ratings using the RAND Corporation/ University of California Los Angeles Health Services Utilization Study (RAND/UCLA) Appropriateness Method with prespecified definitions. 29 panelists from 25 academic medical centers voted on 114 rating scales (66 neuro-ophthalmic/orbital disease components, 48 uveitis/ocular surface disease components); of these, 86.3% (57/66) in Group A and 89.6% (43/48) in Group B reached first-round consensus. After revisions, all items except 6.1% (4/66) in Group A and 1.6% (1/60) in Group B received second-round consensus. Consensus definitions were achieved for 10/11 neuro-ophthalmic/orbital disorders: optic neuritis, inflammatory optic disc edema, arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, optic perineuritis, orbital inflammation, thyroid eye disease-like orbital inflammation, cavernous sinus syndrome, oculomotor mononeuritis, trochlear mononeuritis, and abducens mononeuritis. Consensus definitions were achieved for 9/10 uveitis/ocular surface disorders: anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, panuveitis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome, sarcoidosis-like syndrome, acute macular neuroretinopathy, dry eye disease, and scleritis. These disease definitions establish a standardized classification for Eye-irAE, highlighting differences between irAEs and other inflammatory disorders. Importantly, diagnostic certainty does not always align directly with the need to treat as an Eye-irAE. Given the consensus from this representative panel group, it is anticipated the definitions will be used broadly across clinical and research settings.