Contribution of intraoperative stimulation mapping to glioblastoma surgery within or adjacent to descending motor pathways: survival analysis and functional outcome comparison between two series in a single institution

Purpose Extensive resection probably confers a modest survival advantage in patients with glioblastoma. Studies have revealed the positive effects of intraoperative stimulation mapping (ISM) on the extent of resection, but no consensus for contribution of intraoperative stimulation mapping is reached. Methods This retrospective study enrolled two groups of patients who underwent surgery for motor-eloquent glioblastoma: the non-ISM group of 57 patients (surgery in 2008–2013) and ISM group of 13 patients (surgery in 2014–2015). The two groups and subgroups based on resection extent and postoperative additional neurological deficit were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Results Gross or near total resection (≥ 90% resection quality) was significantly more common in the ISM group than the non-ISM group (76.9% versus 24.6%; p = 0.001). The extent of resection was also significantly greater (90.5% ± 15.6% versus 64.6% ± 29.2%; p = 0.002). The neurological outcome in the ISM group was thus superior, but the two differences were not significant. The median progression-free survival time was significantly longer in the ISM group (22.0 ± 5.1 months vs 8.0 ± 1.0 months; p = 0.037) but a significant difference was not indicated in median overall survival time (22.0 ± 8.4 months vs 16.0 ± 2.2 months; p = 0.167). Conclusion ISM was discovered to lead to higher quality of resection and delayed recurrence. The neurological outcome and median overall survival time in the ISM group was thus superior, but the two differences were not significant. Trial registration number (for clinical trials) Nil

Effects of miR-373 Inhibition on Glioblastoma Growth by Reducing Limk1 In Vitro

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with shorter median overall survival time. It is urgent to find novel methods to enhance the therapeutic efficiency clinically. miR-373 is related to the biological development process of cancers, but there are no reports whether modulation on miR-373 could affect GBM development or modify the efficiency of chemo- or radiotherapy yet. Our current study found that the higher level of miR-373 was observed in U-251 cells. Inhibition on miR-373 could reduce the U-251 cell number by 65% and PCNA expression obviously. In addition, inhibition on miR-373 sensitized U-251 cells to chemo- or radiotherapy. The cell cycle of U-251 cells could be modulated by miR-373 knockdown, which could enhance the p21 expression and reduce the cdc2 level. Anti-miR-373 could increase the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of U-251 cells and induce cell apoptosis significantly. These above effects of miR-373 could be reversed by Limk1 overexpression. Thus, our experimental data confirmed the fact that miR-373 could be a new therapeutic target to enhance the efficiency of chemo- or radiotherapy for clinical GBM patients.

Toll-like receptor 9 negatively related to clinical outcome of AML patients

Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can modulate toll-like receptor-9 (TLR9) expression and activation. This study was conducted to elucidate the expression of TLR9 in AML patients and its relation to the prognosis of the disease. Results The study included 40 newly diagnosed AML patients managed in the hospital in addition to 20 sex and age matched normal volunteers as control. TLR9 expression assay was conducted on peripheral blood samples of AML cases before the start of treatment as well as the controls by immunophenotyping. TLR9 expression was ranging from 0.10 to 2.40% in AML patients with higher expression among the control, ranging from 0.94 to 8.25%. The median TLR9 expression in AML patients was significantly lower with advanced cytogenetic risk score. It is not significantly differing in relation to patients’ sex, age group, and FAB type of AML. However, significant lower median expression was found in relation to clinical outcome. TLR9 expression ≤ 1% showed lower median overall survival time when compared to those with > 1% expression. Conclusion This study concluded that AML patients express TLR9 in leukemic cells with very low percentage. This expression was negatively related to the clinical outcome.

SOX11 Expression Versus Indolent Clinical Course in Mantle Cell Lymphomas in a Population-Based Cohort From the Stockholm Region – SOX11 Negative Tumors Are Mostly p53 Positive, Contributing to Shorter Overall Survival,

Abstract 3651 Introduction: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) constitutes 3–10% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas and has a median survival of 3–5 years. A small number of patients are characterized by a clinically indolent disease and may not require treatment for several years. However, these are difficult to identify at the time of diagnosis due to lack of reliable predictive markers. Recently, the nuclear expression of the transcription factor SOX11 has been suggested to be of prognostic value in MCL. Materials and Methods: All 186 patients diagnosed with MCL in the Stockholm region between January 1998 and June 2010 were included. Diagnosis was according to the WHO criteria and all cases were cyclin D1 positive by IHC and/or for t(11;14) by FISH. Clinical data from patient files, diagnostic biopsies and flow cytometry data were reviewed. Patients not requiring treatment within the first two years after diagnosis were retrospectively defined as indolent disease. Patients were further categorized in nuclear SOX11 negative (n=13) and nuclear SOX11 positive (n=160) cases and in cases with indolent (n=17) versus non-indolent disease course (n=169). The following variables were evaluated at the time of diagnosis: age, sex, Ann Arbor stage, ECOG, B-symptoms, Hb, LDH, albumin, lymphocytosis, leukocytosis, splenomegaly, nodal and bone marrow involvement, MIPI, indolent disease, blastoid morphology, expression of CD23, light chain, Ki 67, SOX11 and p53. Overall survival was analyzed, excluding patients receiving ASCT (n=37). Baumgartner, S. et al presents further data on the entire cohort in the accompanying abstract. Results: The following variables were significantly more common in SOX11 negative cases (Table 1): Lymphocytosis (p=0,045), high LDH (p=0,029) and p53 positivity (p<0,000). MIPI high risk was more frequent among SOX11 negative patients but did not reach statistical difference. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of splenomegaly or indolent disease among SOX11 negative and positive cases. Median overall survival time was 36,7 months in the whole cohort; 16,5 months in patients with SOX11 negative tumors and 39,3 months in patients with SOX11 positive tumors (p=0,015), excluding 37 patients (1 SOX11 negative, 38 SOX11 positive) receiving ASCT as part of first-line therapy. Patients with an indolent clinical course had significantly less often B symptoms (p=0,002), nodal presentation (p=0,019) and elevated LDH (p=0,040) than patients with a non-indolent disease, while none of the other factors analyzed reached statistical significance. Median overall survival time of patients with indolent disease was not reached (median follow-up time 41,7 months). 15/17 of the MCL cases with indolent clinical course expressed SOX11. Conclusions: In a population-based cohort of 186 cyclin D1 positive MCL, 8% lacked expression of nuclear SOX11 at diagnosis. There was no enrichment of patients with an indolent disease among SOX11 negative MCL. Instead patients with SOX11 negative MCL had a higher frequency of lymphocytosis and elevated LDH at diagnosis and a shorter overall survival. MCL lacking nuclear SOX11 expression at diagnosis were more frequently p53 positive which may contribute to shorter survival in the SOX11 negative MCL subset. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Efficacy and Safety of Gemtuzumab-Based Regimens in Patients with CD33-Positive Refractory Leukemia.

Patients with relapsed or refractory leukemia have less chances of obtaining remission than patients with newly diagnosed.It is reported that more than 80% of acute myeloid leukemia(AML) patients have myeloid blast cells that express the CD33 surface antigen. This antigen also is present on the leukemic stem cells at least some patients with chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)and acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL). It is absent from normal hematopoietic stem cells and nonhematopoietic cells and tissues. Gemtuzumab is a humanized anti-CD33 antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, a potent anti tumor antibiotic derived from a bacterium. It is conditionally approved in the US for treatment of CD33+ AML in first relapse in patients over 60 years[Sievers et al.Journal of Clinical Oncology,2001]. Here we evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gemtuzumab -based regimens. The study population comprise 11 patients with CD33-positive refractory leukemia (determined as CD33-antigen expression in over 50% of leukemic blasts by bone marrow aspirates and immunophenotyping), including two with myeloid blast phase of CML, one with refractory ALL, two relapsed after Auto-stem cell transplantation(Auto-SCT). The median age was 47 years. Four cases who were over 60 years or after Auto-SCT treated with single agent. The other seven cases treated with mylotarg and cytotoxic agents, including mylotarg plus idarubine (MI); Gemtuzumab plus fludarabine, cytarabine, CsA(MFAC); or plus mitoxantrone, Ara-C (MMA).The overall response rate was 54% (6/11), with 36%(4/11) patients obtaining complete remission (CR) and 18% (2/11) achieving CRp.The median overall survival time after treatment was 4.8 months, and the median overall survival time after CR was 8.2 months.Two patients with myeloid blast phase of CML achieved CR with BCR/ABL(−), the survival time after CR was 5+months and 20+months respectively, but failed in second relapse. One patient received Allo-SCT after CR with refractory ALL is still alive at present (21months) with disease free. The median time to ANC recovery of 0.5×109/L was 15 days.The common adverse events was myelosuppression (100% Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia).Significant non-hematologic toxicitics included infection(96%), infusion-related chills and fever (55%).Although hepatic dysfunction and mucositis were observed,they were generally infrequent and not severe(Grade 1–2).Six patients (55%) developed Hepatic veno-occlusive disease(VOD), four of them were either over 60 years old or received Auto-SCT before although they received only single agent mylotarg therapy, but it was transient and no one died from it. In conclusion, patients with CD33-positive refractory leukemia, Gemtuzumab -based regimens have a comparable response rate and offer a more favorable toxicity profile, expecially for the patients with myeloid blast phase of CML. It is also effective for the patient with refractory ALL. In the treatment, we should pay attention to the hepatic condition of ones who are over 60 years old or after stem cell transplantation, attemps to avoid and treat VOD are warranted. Above all, When patients with refractory leukemia got remission, allogenic-SCT should be done as soon as possible

Subcutaneous Alemtuzumab (MabCampath) in Fludarabine-Refractory CLL (CLL2H Trial of the GCLLSG).

Fludarabine-refractory CLL has a poor prognosis with a median overall survival time of less than 12 months despite salvage chemotherapy and intravenous alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) is the approved treatment based on a remission rate of 33% and a median survival time of 16 months (Keating et al., Blood 2002). The CLL2H trial of the GCLLSG was initiated to evaluate the subcutaneous application of 3 × 30 mg alemtuzumab weekly in fludarabine refractory CLL. The current analysis is based on 109 consecutive patients enrolled until completion of the trial in April 2006. Median age was 63 (36–81) years, 71% were male. A median number of 3 (1–9) prior lines of therapy had been given. Subcutaneous treatment was performed on an outpatient basis in all cases and had to be temporarily interrupted in 68 patients due to neutropenia (43%), anemia (6%), thrombocytopenia (3%), infections (40%, CMV reactivations 30%), and was stopped early in 63 cases due to insufficient response (44%), hematotoxicity (16%), infection (17%), and CMV reactivation (13%). The median alemtuzumab dose given was 722 (3–2203) mg. Toxicity was mostly grade I/II apart from hematotoxicity (grade III/IV anemia: 42%, thrombocytopenia: 52%, neutropenia: 54%) and grade III/IV infections (25%). After a median follow up time of 21.4 months, 56 deaths have occurred (due to progression 52%, infections 39%, not CLL related 9%). The overall response rate was 33% (CR 4%, PR 27%), the median progression free survival time was 7.7 months, and median overall survival time was 19.1 months. Genetic high-risk factors were present in the vast majority of cases (unmutated VH 66%, 17p–29%, 11q–19%, TP53 mutation 39%). Responses (CR or PR) were observed in 22% of VH unmutated, 24% of 11q-, 39% of 17p-, and 33% of TP53 mutated cases. Progression free survival and overall survival were not significantly different when comparing the genetic subgroups, particularly TP53 mutated, 11q-, and 17p- (see figure). In conclusion, subcutaneous alemtuzumab is feasible in an outpatient setting in a high-risk population of fludarabine-refractory CLL and appears to be of similar efficacy as by intravenous administration. Most importantly, genetic high risk subgroups with unmutated VH, 11q- or 17p- appear to respond to alemtuzumab. Figure Figure

Modified Topotecan Combination with Cyclophosphamide and Ara-C (CAT) for Patients with Refractory/Relapsed Leukemia.

The prognosis of patients with leukemia has improved significantly. With combination chemotherapy, 60%–80% of adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) achieve complete remission(CR). But most patients eventually relapse and do not response to current induction regimens based on cytarabine and anthracyclines any more. This emphasize the need to discover new agents for the treatment of leukemia to improve long-term prognosis. Topotecan is a semisynthetic analogue of the alkaloid camptothecin which acts as a specific inhibitor of topoisomerase I,by stabilization of the topoisomerase I DNA complex which leads to cell death.It also appears to be active against leukemias which have acquired the multi-drug resistant phenotype.[ Ulukan et al. Drug, 2000; Weihrauch et al. Leuk Lymphoma, 2004].It also could go through blood brain barrier[Kollmannsberger et al. Oncology, 1999].Here we observe the effect and side-effects of cyclophosphamide, cytanthetic analogue of rabine and topotecan (Modified CAT) combination regimen for treatment of refractory or relapsed leukemia. The study population comprise 26 patients with relapsed/refractory leukemia,including 12 with AML, 9 with ALL, 2 with myeloid blast phase of CML, 3 with lymphoma. Median age was 35 years.Patients received cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2 every 12 hours for 6 doses on day1 to 3.On day 2, topotecan was given at a dose of 1.5mg/m2/day for 5 days on days 2 to 6, and cytarabine 1.0 g/m2 /day for 5 days on days 2 to 6.The regimen (cytarabine reduced to 0.5g/m2 /day) could be repeated one or two cycles after remission. The total response rate of one course was 57%, eleven patients (42%) achived complete remission(CR). Responses occurred in 7of 12 AML (57%), including 5 CR(41%); in 6 of 9 patients with ALL (67%), including 5 CR(56%); and in 1 of 2 myeloid blast phase of CML(CR 50%). The median overall survival time after treatment was 2+ months, and the median overall survival time after CR was 4+ months. Severe myelosuppression was universal (100% Grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia), the median time to recovery of neutrophils to ≥0.5×109/L was 18 days,and the median time to platelet recovery to ≥ 20×109/L was 26 days.Infection developed in 96% cases, the most frequent events were oral mucositis(77%, 20/26), sepedogenesis(46%, 12/26),anusitis(38%,10/26),pneumonia(31%, 8/26), two patients died of infection complications(8%). Non-hematologic toxicity was seen frequently in gastrointestinal but it was mild. Nausea and/or vomiting occurred in 13 patients(50%)with gradeI-II in all of them.Two patients(8%) had diarrhea and grade 1–2 in them. In summary, Modified CAT regimen is well tolerated and has significant anti-leukemia activity as salvage therapy for relapsed/refractory leukemia.

Caspase 3 Expression in Mantle Cell Lymphoma: An Immunohistochemical Study of 84 Patients.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a malignant lymphoma associated with a relatively aggressive clinical course and a median overall survival time of 3–4 years. We investigated immunohistochemically the expression of the apoptotic marker caspase 3 in relation to the clinical course. Biopsy specimen from 84 untreated patients enrolled in two multicenter prospective trials were investigated immunohistochemically with monoclonal antibodies against CD20, CD5, CD3, CD23, cyclin D1, Caspase3. The Caspase3 expression was analyzed in three groups: less than 1 positive cell per high power field (HPF), more than 1 positive cell per HPF and more than 2 positive cells per HPF. The expression was compared with the overall survival data analysed according to Kaplan and Meier. In 75 cases the caspase 3 staining could be analyzed. The caspase 3 expression had a range of 0.1–4.7 positive cells per HPF (median value:1.1, mean:1.3). Patients with mantle cell lymphoma that had less than 1 caspase 3 positive cell per HPF (33 cases) had a median overall survival time of 48 months compared to 27 months for patients with more than 1 positive cell per HPF (24 cases) and 15 months for more than 2 positive cells per HPF (18). The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in the overall survival time between these groups (p<0.0001). The immunohistochemical detection of caspase 3 in mantle cell lymphoma is a predictor for survival in MCL.