Genomic Prognosticators and Extent of Resection in Molecularly Subtyped World Health Organization Grade II and III Gliomas–A Single-Institution, Nine-Year Data

BACKGROUND: WHO grade II and III IDH wild-type (IDH-wt) gliomas are often treated as WHO grade IV glioblastomas. However, cumulative evidence indicates that IDH mutation status alone is insufficient in predicting survival. The current study examines molecular and clinical markers to further prognostically stratify WHO grade II and III gliomas, in particular, IDH-wt. METHODS: A single institution's records were retrospectively reviewed for molecularly stratified WHO grade II and grade III gliomas over a nine-year period (2010-2019). Clinical data, IDH1/IDH2 status, EGFR amplification and other molecular markers were recorded and correlated to the study outcomes. These were defined as progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and time to malignant progression (TtMP). RESULTS: 167 and 42 WHO grade II and III gliomas, respectively, were identified, totalling 209 cases with 157 IDH1/2 mutated and 52 IDH wild-type tumours. The presence of IDH1/2 mutation was associated with longer OS (p<0.0001) and PFS (p<0.0001) but not with TtMP (p=0.314). Lack of EGFR amplification, younger age, greater extent of resection (EOR) (≥80%) were identified as independent, favourable prognostic factors. In the IDH-wt cohort, multivariate analysis indicated that older age (p=0.003) and lesser EOR (<80%) (p=0.007) are associated with worse OS. Additionally, EGFR amplification showed a trend toward shorter OS in the IDH-wt cohort (p=0.073). CONCLUSIONS: IDH1/2 mutation favours longer OS and PFS but does not protect from malignant progression. Lack of EGFR amplification, older age and greater EOR are favourable OS prognosticators. In the IDH-wt cohort, older age and lesser EOR were linked to worse OS

Safety and efficacy of brain biopsy: Results from a single institution retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION: Brain biopsy provides important histopathological diagnostic information for patients with new intracranial lesions. Although a minimally invasive technique, previous studies report an associated morbidity and mortality between 0.6% and 6.8%. We sought to characterise the risk linked to this procedure, and to establish the feasibility of instigating a day-case brain biopsy pathway at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-centre retrospective case series study included neuronavigation guided mini craniotomy and frameless stereotactic brain biopsies carried out between April 2019 and December 2021. Exclusion criteria were interventions performed for non-neoplastic lesions. Demographic data, clinical and radiological presentation, type of biopsy, histology and complications in the post-operative period were recorded. RESULTS: Data from 196 patients with a mean age of 58.7 years (SD+/-14.4 years) was analysed. 79% (n=155) were frameless stereotactic biopsies and 21% (n=41) neuronavigation guided mini craniotomy biopsies. Complications resulting in acute intracerebral haemorrhage and death, or new persistent neurological deficits were observed in 2% of patients (n=4; 2 frameless stereotactic; 2 open). Less severe complications or transient symptoms were noted in 2.5% of cases (n=5). 8 patients had minor haemorrhages in the biopsy tract with no clinical ramifications. Biopsy was non-diagnostic in 2.5% (n=5) of cases. Two cases were subsequently identified as lymphoma. Other reasons included insufficient sampling, necrotic tissue, and target error. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that brain biopsy is a procedure with an acceptably low rate of severe complications and mortality, in line with previously published literature. This supports the development of day-case pathway allowing improved patient flow, reducing the risk of iatrogenic complications associated with hospital stay, such as infection and thrombosis

Results of an open label feasibility study of sodium valproate in people with McArdle disease

McArdle disease results from a lack of muscle glycogen phosphorylase in skeletal muscle tissue. Regenerating skeletal muscle fibres can express the brain glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme. Stimulating expression of this enzyme could be a therapeutic strategy. Animal model studies indicate that sodium valproate (VPA) can increase expression of phosphorylase in skeletal muscle affected with McArdle disease. This study was designed to assess whether VPA can modify expression of brain phosphorylase isoenzyme in people with McArdle disease. This phase II, open label, feasibility pilot study to assess efficacy of six months treatment with VPA (20 mg/kg/day) included 16 people with McArdle disease. Primary outcome assessed changes in VO2peak during an incremental cycle test. Secondary outcomes included: phosphorylase enzyme expression in post-treatment muscle biopsy, total distance walked in 12 min, plasma lactate change (forearm exercise test) and quality of life (SF36). Safety parameters. 14 participants completed the trial, VPA treatment was well tolerated; weight gain was the most frequently reported drug-related adverse event. There was no clinically meaningful change in any of the primary or secondary outcome measures including: VO2peak, 12 min walk test and muscle biopsy to look for a change in the number of phosphorylase positive fibres between baseline and 6 months of treatment. Although this was a small open label feasibility study, it suggests that a larger randomised controlled study of VPA, may not be worthwhile

CEST MRI provides amide/amine surrogate biomarkers for treatment-naïve glioma sub-typing

PURPOSE: Accurate glioma classification affects patient management and is challenging on non- or low-enhancing gliomas. This study investigated the clinical value of different chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) metrics for glioma classification and assessed the diagnostic effect of the presence of abundant fluid in glioma subpopulations. METHODS: Forty-five treatment-naïve glioma patients with known isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and 1p/19q codeletion status received CEST MRI (B1rms = 2μT, Tsat = 3.5 s) at 3 T. Magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry and CEST metrics (amides: offset range 3-4 ppm, amines: 1.5-2.5 ppm, amide/amine ratio) were calculated with two models: 'asymmetry-based' (AB) and 'fluid-suppressed' (FS). The presence of T2/FLAIR mismatch was noted. RESULTS: IDH-wild type had higher amide/amine ratio than IDH-mutant_1p/19qcodel (p < 0.022). Amide/amine ratio and amine levels differentiated IDH-wild type from IDH-mutant (p < 0.0045) and from IDH-mutant_1p/19qret (p < 0.021). IDH-mutant_1p/19qret had higher amides and amines than IDH-mutant_1p/19qcodel (p < 0.035). IDH-mutant_1p/19qret with AB/FS mismatch had higher amines than IDH-mutant_1p/19qret without AB/FS mismatch ( < 0.016). In IDH-mutant_1p/19qret, the presence of AB/FS mismatch was closely related to the presence of T2/FLAIR mismatch (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: CEST-derived biomarkers for amides, amines, and their ratio can help with histomolecular staging in gliomas without intense contrast enhancement. T2/FLAIR mismatch is reflected in the presence of AB/FS CEST mismatch. The AB/FS CEST mismatch identifies glioma subgroups that may have prognostic and clinical relevance

Targeting Protein Homeostasis in Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the commonest severe myopathy in patients over age 50. Previous therapeutic trials have targeted the inflammatory features of sIBM, but all have failed. Since protein dyshomeostasis may also play a role in sIBM, we tested the effects of targeting this feature of the disease. Using rat myoblast cultures, we found that up-regulation of the heat shock response with Arimoclomol reduced key pathological markers of sIBM in vitro. Furthermore, in mutant valosin-containing protein VCP mice, which develop an inclusion body myopathy (IBM), treatment with Arimoclomol ameliorated disease pathology and improved muscle function. We therefore evaluated the safety and tolerability of Arimoclomol in an investigator-lead, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept patient trial and gathered exploratory efficacy data which showed that Arimoclomol was safe and well tolerated. Although Arimoclomol improved some IBM-like pathology in vitro and in vivo in the mutant VCP mouse, we did not see statistically significant evidence of efficacy in this proof of concept patient trial

Effect of Treatment Modalities on Progression-Free Survival and Overall Survival in Molecularly Subtyped World Health Organization Grade II Diffuse Gliomas: A Systematic Review

Background: With the 2016 update of the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System incorporating molecular subtyping to histology, WHO grade II diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors are subcategorized by distinct molecular markers. There are no reported systematic reviews quantifying differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) on the basis of molecular subtypes of WHO grade II diffuse gliomas, against the background of administered treatments. Methods: Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook of Systemic Reviews of Interventions, we conducted a systematic review through MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails). Results: For OS, the first quartile (25%), median (50%), third quartile (75%), and 95% confidence interval, respectively, were identified (in months): astrocytoma–wild-type WHO II (A-wt II): 22.8, 32.2, 40.7, and 21.6–61.2; astrocytoma-mutant WHO II (A-mt II): 69.85, 115.2, 128.4, and 55.4–164.0; oligodendroglioma WHO II (OD-II): 106.3, 163.7, 213.3, and 67.3–235.4 (P value = 0.0002). For PFS, the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles, and 95% confidence interval, respectively, are as follows (in months): A-wt II: 6.90, 17.45, 19.57, and 3.00–23.69; A-mt II: 37.20, 43.20, 55.63, and 35.7–60.0; OD-II: 47.42, 59.2, 88.28, and 46.3–91.2 (P value = 0.015). Conclusions: This seems to be the first systematic review of OS and PFS in patients with WHO grade II low-grade gliomas (LGGs), against treatment modalities, in molecularly stratified subsets introduced by the WHO 2016 classification of central nervous system tumors. Overall, A-wt II was confirmed to have a significantly shorter OS than did A-mt II; no significant difference was found between OS of OD-II with A-wt II and A-mt II. In addition, all 3 molecular subtypes were found to have statistically significant differences between PFS, with OD-II having a statistically better PFS than A-mt II. These data can provide valuable prognostic insight to patients and clinicians. In addition, assessing survival differences enhances understanding of treatment recommendations against molecular markers and may facilitate future clinical trial design

Amyloid in neurosurgical and neurological practice.

The amyloidoses are a diverse group of diseases characterized by the deposition of specific proteins with distinct affinity to the dye Congo red, collectively called amyloid. The amyloidogenic proteins have acquired an abnormal, highly ordered, beta-pleated sheet configuration with a propensity to self-aggregate. The amyloid may be distributed in different organs with a remarkable diversity. Two broad categories of amyloidoses are recognised: The systemic (consisting of the primary or light chain form, the secondary or reactive form and the familial or hereditary form) and the localised that target specific organs. A tropism of amyloid proteins to the neural tissue produces certain patterns of central nervous system diseases: cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a substrate of spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage; mature neuritic plaques found in Alzheimer disease and a subset of prion diseases; a topographically restricted accumulation of extracellular proteins giving rise to tumour-mimicking masses, the amyloidomas; and finally, spinal extradural amyloid collections that occasionally are found in the context of rheumatoid arthritis. In this review article we present original illustrative cases of amyloid diseases of the central nervous system that may be encountered in neurosurgical and neurological practice. Molecular aspects and clinical management problems are discussed