Journal of neuro-oncology
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Journal of neuro-oncology · Feb 2012
Identification of CD105 (endoglin)-positive stem-like cells in rhabdoid meningioma.
To investigate the tumor-initiating cells (TICs) in rhabdoid meningioma (RM), a population of CD105-positive cells isolated from a fresh RM surgical sample was analyzed for proliferative activity, self-renewal ability, tumorigenic ability, multilineage differentiation potential, as well as chromosomal aberrations. The results showed that isolated CD105-positive cells could be maintained for more than 50 generations in vitro. These cells exhibited increased proliferative activity and single-cell tumor sphere-formation ability compared with CD105-negative cells. ⋯ In addition, in contrast to CD105-negative cells, CD105-positive cells could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes in response to specific induction agents. Finally, CD105-positive cells with stem-like features were also isolated from xenograft tumors. In conclusion, a population of CD105-positive TICs with some traits of MPCs was identified in RM and might provide a promising therapeutic target in management of malignant meningioma.
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Journal of neuro-oncology · Jan 2012
Combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection as a new strategy for WHO grade II gliomas: a study of cognitive status and quality of life.
Diffuse WHO grade II (GIIG) may be unresectable when involving critical structures. To assess the feasibility and functional tolerance (cognition and quality of life) of an original therapeutic strategy combining neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection for initially inoperable GIIG. Ten patients underwent Temozolomide for unresectable GIIG, as initial treatment or at recurrence after previous partial resection, due to invasion of eloquent areas or bi-hemispheric diffusion preventing a total/subtotal removal. ⋯ This combined treatment is feasible, efficient (surgery made possible by neoadjuvant chemotherapy) and well-tolerated (preservation of quality of life, no serious cognitive disturbances). Cognitive deficits seem mostly related to tumor location. Because KPS is not reliable enough, a detailed neuropsychological assessment should be systematically performed in GIIG.
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Journal of neuro-oncology · Jan 2012
Safety of concurrent bevacizumab therapy and anticoagulation in glioma patients.
Venous thromboembolic events (VTE) are common in glioma patients and are typically treated with anticoagulant medications. The anti-angiogenic agent bevacizumab (BVZ) increases the risks of both VTE and hemorrhagic complications. Little is known about the hemorrhagic risk of anticoagulation in glioma patients receiving BVZ. ⋯ Among 218 patients who did not receive anticoagulants, there were two (1%) serious hemorrhages (both grade 4 ICH). Both the serious hemorrhage rate and overall ICH rate were higher in patients who received anticoagulants (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Anticoagulant use during BVZ therapy may increase the risk of hemorrhage in glioma patients, although it is generally well tolerated.
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Oligodendrogliomas are rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors in children. The purpose of this study was to identify prognostic factors for progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in pediatric patients with oligodendrogliomas. We retrospectively analyzed clinical data on 37 pediatric patients with oligodendroglial tumors treated at Washington University. ⋯ There were no factors correlated with improved overall survival on multivariate analysis. Pediatric oligodendroglial tumors are associated with excellent OS; however, a third of patients developed progressive disease. Our data demonstrate that patients with less than GTR and <3 years at diagnosis are at increased risk for progression and may benefit from more aggressive therapy.