Karnofsky Performance Scale Score Research Articles

Therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects of Bojungikki-tang on cancer: a scoping review

BackgroundCancer remains a major global health concern, with conventional treatments often limited by side effects and resistance. Bojungikki-tang (BJIKT), a traditional herbal formula, has shown promise in alleviating cancer-related symptoms and enhancing anti-cancer effects when combined with conventional treatments. As immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the standard for cancer treatment, a combination of BJIKT and ICIs may exhibit immune-mediated anti-cancer effects. This review aims to summarize the recent evidence on BJIKT use in cancer treatment, investigate its immunomodulatory effects, and identify research gaps.MethodsThis review was conducted and reported following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Scoping Review. A comprehensive search of six electronic databases was conducted, and studies published between 2013 and 2022 were identified. Reports on oral administration of BJIKT to patients with cancer were included and analyzed by two reviewers. The extracted data were synthesized using descriptive reporting and meta-analysis.ResultsOverall, 56 studies met the inclusion criteria: 36 human studies, 14 experimental studies, and 6 reviews on clinical and preclinical investigations. The use of BJIKT in restoring immune function and improving fatigue, cancer-related fever, and quality of life after chemotherapy has been reported in clinical studies. The different medication forms of BJIKT included decoction, extract granules, pills, and water extract. The meta-analysis revealed a significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Scale score in the BJIKT plus chemotherapy group than in the chemotherapy alone group. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that BJIKT has anti-cancer effects, enhances gastrointestinal function and immunomodulatory effects, and supports favorable chemotherapy outcomes.ConclusionIn recent clinical research on BJIKT, its impact on fatigue, quality of life, and alleviating cancer-related fever has mostly been examined. The direct anti-cancer activities and immunomodulatory mechanisms of BJIKT have been reported in preclinical studies; however, clinical research on BJIKT-induced enhancement of immune function is lacking. Further research on the efficacy and safety of ICI combined with BJIKT and the association of immunomarker changes with clinical outcomes is required to precisely identify the effect of BJIKT on immune system modulation.

Frailty indices predict mortality, complications and functional improvements in supratentorial meningioma patients over 80 years of age.

To assess whether the Modified 5 (mFI-5) and 11 (mFI-11) Factor Frailty Indices associate with postoperative mortality, complications, and functional benefit in supratentorial meningioma patients aged over 80 years. Baseline characteristics were collected from eight centers. Based on the patients' preoperative status and comorbidities, frailty was assessed by the mFI-5 and mFI-11. The collected scores were categorized as "robust (mFI=0)", "pre-frail (mFI=1)", "frail (mFI=2)", and "significantly frail (mFI≥3)". Outcome was assessed by the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS); functional benefit was defined as improved KPS score. Additionally, we evaluated the patients' functional independence (KPS≥70) after surgery. The study population consisted of 262 patients (median age 83 years) with a median preoperative KPS of 70 (range 20 to 100). The 90-day and 1-year mortality were 9.0% and 13.2%; we recorded surgery-associated complications in 111 (42.4%) patients. At last follow-up within the postoperative first year, 101 (38.5%) patients showed an improved KPS, and 183 (69.8%) either gained or maintained functional independence. "Severely frail" patients were at an increased risk of death at 90 days (OR 16.3 (CI95% 1.7-158.7)) and one year (OR 11.7 (CI95% 1.9-71.7)); nine (42.9%) of severely frail patients died within the first year after surgery. The "severely frail" cohort had increased odds of suffering from surgery-associated complications (OR 3.9 (CI 95%) 1.3-11.3)), but also had a high chance for postoperative functional improvements by KPS≥20 (OR 6.6 (CI95% 1.2-36.2)). The mFI-5 and mFI-11 associate with postoperative mortality, complications, and functional benefit. Even though "severely frail" patients had the highest risk morbidity and mortality, they had the highest chance for functional improvement.

Medical management of chronic subdural hematoma with low-dose hydrocortisone: a case series.

Chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) are often managed with a burr-hole craniostomy and drainage, but surgery is associated with elevated mortality, morbidity, and recurrence. Despite reports of steroid use for such patients, its efficacy and feasibility are still debated. We present our patient series treated with low-dose hydrocortisone. We retrospectively reviewed data from patients treated with hydrocortisone between 2017 and 2023. Demographics, clinical and radiological data were collected. Of 27 patients identified, nine required a burr-hole craniotomy for an average volume of 120.23 cm3, average midline shift of 9mm, and neurological deficits. Eighteen met the criteria for inclusion. The mean age was 78.5 years; 13 were male. None had severe symptoms requiring urgent intervention. Except for one with a Karnofsky Performance Scale score of 70, all could maintain normal activity before treatment. The mean baseline volume was 52.6 cm3. Midline shift, present in six, averaged 6.8mm. Patients underwent treatment for an average of 5.15 months. Nine had complete resolution within 3 months, while nine required longer treatment, including one who needed 9 months for a re-bleed after a fall. Paired t-tests indicated significant reductions in hematoma volumes at the second week (p = 0.01), first month (p < 0.0001), and third month (p < 0.0001) of treatment. No complications occurred and the post-treatment Karnofsky scores ranged from 90 to 100. Treatment for cSDH should be tailored to the patient. Low-dose hydrocortisone is safe and effective in asymptomatic patients, those with mild to moderate symptoms, and those who are either unsuitable for or decline surgical intervention.

Clinical evaluation of enhanced recovery versus conventional care in the perioperative period for intradural extramedullary spinal tumors: a study protocol for a multicenter, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThis randomized clinical trial protocol aimed to investigate the comparative efficacy of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol versus traditional perioperative care programs in patients with intradural extramedullary spinal tumors.MethodsThe study included 180 patients aged 18–80 years, who were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A receiving traditional perioperative care and Group B receiving accelerated rehabilitation perioperative care. The nurse responsible for patient care was informed of the group assignment, but the patients themselves remained blinded to the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the Karnofsky Performance Scale score, which assessed functional status. The secondary outcomes included the Japanese Orthopedic Association Scale, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, length of postoperative hospital stay, duration of urethral catheterization, patient satisfaction questionnaire, and complication rates. Follow-up assessments were conducted telephonically 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the surgery.DiscussionThis study protocol provided a structured approach to assess the potential benefits of ERAS during the perioperative period for patients with intradural extramedullary tumors, aiming to improve patient outcomes and overall care efficiency.Trial registrationThis study has been registered with the China Clinical Trials Registry (Project No: ChiCTR2200063347). Registered on September 5 2022.

AB011. A propensity-score matched prospective study on the impact of tumour treating fields (TTF) on overall survival and quality of life in newly diagnosed WHO grade 4 astrocytoma patients.

World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 astrocytoma is a high-grade brain tumour in adults. Tumour treating fields (TTF) has been shown to improve overall survival (OS). Few studies have explored quality-of-life (QoL) in these patients. This study aims to assess the QoL of TTF patients and OS. This was a prospective multicenter study of adult patients diagnosed with WHO grade 4 astrocytoma from 2018 to 2023 receiving TTF for >1 month after completing standard therapy. A propensity-score matched comparison with a 1:2 ratio with historical control was performed for OS analysis. The patients completed European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-30/BN20 questionnaires before TTF and at 3-month interval. Primary outcomes included OS, and secondary outcomes included QoL and TTF-associated adverse effects at 3 months. A total of 141 patients were reviewed, with TTF patients (n=47, 33%) and propensity-score matched controls (n=94). The mean duration of TTF use was 10±8 months. The mean age of the TTF group was 54±13 years, and for the control group 52±13 years. Sixty percent (n=28) were male, similar to the control group with 71% (n=67) (P=0.16). Seventy-two percent of TTF patients had preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score ≥80, while controls had 70% (P=0.79). Five (11%) TTF patients and 8 (9%) controls were IDH1 mutant (P=0.70). Twenty (43%) TTF patients and 42 (45%) controls were O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter (pMGMT) methylated (P=0.81). Twenty-one (45%) of TTF patients and 55 (59%) of controls had gross total resection (P=0.72). After adjusting for independent predictors for OS, the median OS of the TTF group was 22.4 months [interquartile range (IQR): 18.6-26.5 months], significantly longer than the control group (17.2 months; IQR: 12.1-22.3 months) (log-rank test: P=0.01). Forty-seven TTF patients and 40 control patients completed EORTC questionnaires. There was no difference for EORTC functional and symptom scores between the TTF and control group [P=0.45, analysis of variance (ANOVA)] at 3 months. Thirty-two (67%) of TTF patients reported associated RTOG grade I scalp dermatitis. TTF for WHO grade 4 astrocytoma patients is an independent predictor for OS. QoL between the groups was similar, and overall QoL over time for TTF patients was not affected. TTF is a novel and effective outpatient treatment with minimal adverse effects.

Etiology-Specific Effects of Impaired Functional Status on Liver Transplant Outcomes.

Pre-liver transplant (LT) functional status is an important determinant of prognosis post LT. There is insufficient data on how functional status affects outcomes of transplant recipients based on the specific etiology of liver disease. We stratified LT recipients by etiology of liver disease to evaluate the effects of functional status on post-LT prognosis in each subgroup. 2005-2019 United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Standard Transplant Analysis and Research (STAR) was used to select patients with liver transplant. A total of 14,290 patients were included in the analysis. These patients were stratified by functional status according to Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score: no assistance, some assistance, or total assistance. They were then further divided into six diagnosis categories: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), hereditary disorders, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, autoimmune disease (AID), and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Primary endpoints included all-cause mortality and graft failure, while secondary endpoints included organ-specific causes of death. Those under the age of 18 and those with non-whole liver or prior liver transplantation were excluded. Patients with MASLD requiring some assistance (aHR: 1.57, 95% CI 1.03-2.39, p = 0.04) and those requiring total assistance (aHR: 2.32, 95% CI 1.48-3.64, p < 0.001) had higher incidences of graft failure compared to those requiring no assistance. Those with MASLD requiring total assistance had a higher all-cause mortality rate than those needing no assistance (aHR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.38-1.89, p < 0.001). Patients with hereditary causes of liver disease showed a lower incidence of all-cause mortality in recipients needing some assistance compared with those needing no assistance (aHR: 0.52, 95% CI 0.34-0.80, p = 0.003). LT recipients with hepatitis C, AID, and ALD all showed higher incidences of all-cause mortality in the total assistance cohort when compared to the no assistance cohort. For the secondary endpoints of specific cause of death, transplant recipients with MASLD needing total assistance had higher rates of death due to general cardiac causes, graft rejection, general infectious causes, sepsis, general renal causes, and general respiratory causes. Patients with MASLD cirrhosis demonstrated the worst overall outcomes, suggesting that this population may be particularly vulnerable. Poor functional status in patients with end-stage liver disease from hepatitis B or hereditary disease was not associated with a significantly increased rate of adverse outcomes, suggesting that the KPS score may not be broadly applicable to all patients awaiting LT.

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Spine Metastases: A Single-Center Evaluation in Surgically Treated Patients

BACKGROUNDThe estimation of survival is extremely important for metastatic disease in the spine. The aim of this study was to determine the factors affecting the outcome of patients with spinal metastasis, primarily the character of neurological deficit and the histopathology of the tumor. METHODA retrospective examination was made of 158 patients with spinal metastasis who were followed up in our clinic between 2010 and 2020 and were underwent surgical intervention. The patients were examined in respect of demographic characteristics, the primary tumor, comorbidities, preoperative-postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores, preoperative-postoperative neurological examinations and neurological deficit if present and ambulation status, postoperative survival duration, tumor localization, characteristics of the surgeries, complications, the Karnofsky Performance Scale, revised Tokuhashi, and Tomita scores. RESULTSSpinal metastasis was seen more frequently in males (72,8% male, 27,8% female). Male gender, multiple level involvement, intradural localization, and Karnofsky Performance Scale <70 were seen to cause a shorter survival time. Patients with a primary focus of hematological malignancy, breast cancer, and lymphoma had a longer survival. The revised Tokuhashi, and Tomita scores were observed to be successful in the prediction of survival. A decrease in postoperative Visual Analogue Scale score had a positive effect on functional survival. The absence of preoperative neurological deficit and the patient’s ability for preoperative and postoperative ambulation affected survival positively. The overall survival period decreased in patients who were mobilized in the early postoperative period but became non-mobile in the late period, and in those who were non-mobile in both the early and late postoperative periods. CONCLUSIONThe neurological and ambulatory status, the Tomita and Tokuhashi scores, intradural localization, and gender are the factors with a significant effect on prognosis.

Neurosurgical resection of multiple brain metastases: outcomes, complications, and survival rates in a retrospective analysis

PurposeThis study investigates the outcomes of microsurgical resection of multiple brain metastasis (BMs).MethodsThis retrospective, monocentric analysis included clinical data from all consecutive BM patients, who underwent simultaneous resection of ≥ 2 BMs between January 2018 and May 2023. Postoperative neurological and functional outcomes, along with perioperative complications, as well as survival data were evaluated.ResultsA total of 47 patients, with a median age of 61 years (IQR 48–69), underwent 73 craniotomies (median 2; range 1–3) for resection of 104 BMs. Among patients, 80.8% presented with symptomatic BMs, causing focal neurological deficits in 53% of cases. Gross total resection was achieved in 87.2% of BMs. Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores improved in 42.6% of patients, remained unchanged in 46.8%, and worsened in 10.6% after surgery. Perioperative complications were observed in 29.8% of cases, with transient complications occurring in 19.2% and permanent deficits in 10.6%. The 30-days mortality rate was 2.1%. Logistic regression identified eloquent localization (p = 0.036) and infratentorial craniotomy (p = 0.018) as significant predictors of postoperative complications. Concerning overall prognosis, patients with permanent neurological deficits post-surgery (HR 11.34, p = 0.007) or progressive extracranial disease (HR: 4.649; p = 0.006) exhibited inferior survival.ConclusionMicrosurgical resection of multiple BMs leads to clinical stabilization or functional improvement in most patients. Although transient complications do not affect overall survival, the presence of persistent neurological deficits (> 3 months post-surgery) and progressive extracranial disease negatively impact overall survival. This highlights the importance of careful patient selection for resection of multiple BMs.

Development of a Standardized Clinical Pathway in Korean Patients with Gastric Cancer Clinical Application Observational Study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the integration of Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) into existing clinical pathways for the treatment of gastric cancer. focusing on enhancing treatment outcomes and improving patient quality of life.Methods: Employing a prospective observational design, the study targeted adults aged 20-75 diagnosed with gastric cancer. It assessed the TKM pathway's impact on quality of life, tumor markers, complete blood count test values, and patient satisfaction, and monitored adverse reactions to evaluate effectiveness and safety.Results: The study demonstrated improved quality of life(QOL), as indicated by increased Karnofsky Performance Scale(KPS) scores Mean Difference(MD)=20.37, and better quality of life (MD=19.79) assessments. Blood test results showed notable enhancements in immune function markers such as Neutrophil (MD=-7.34%) and Lymphocyte (6.80%), and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)(MD=-11.05mm/hr). Both patient and medical staff satisfaction (MD=0.33) improved, although changes in tumor markers were not statistically significant.Conclusions: The integration of TKM into the treatment of gastric cancer can significantly improve patient quality of life and satisfaction. To further substantiate these results, developing and implementing more critical pathways across varied clinical settings, along with larger-scaled studies, are essential.

Belzutifan in patients with advanced clear cell renal cellcarcinoma (ccRCC): Subgroup analysis of the phase 2 LITESPARK-013 study.

4534 Background: In the randomized phase 2 LITESPARK-013 study (NCT04489771), the first-in-class HIF-2α inhibitor belzutifan showed comparable antitumor activity in patients with pretreated advanced ccRCC at 200 mg and 120 mg doses (objective response rate [ORR]: 23.1% vs 23.7%; 1-sided P= 0.5312). We present results of a post hoc analysis of the pooled population (200 mg and 120 mg arms) across patient subgroups based on prior therapy and IMDC risk group. Methods: Patients with advanced ccRCC, measurable disease per RECIST v1.1, a Karnofsky Performance Scale score of ≥70%, ≤3 prior systemic regimens for advanced ccRCC (including an anti–PD-(L)1 regimen), and disease progression during or after an anti–PD-(L)1 regimen were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive belzutifan 200 mg or 120 mg QD. End points in the pooled population and subgroups were ORR and duration of response per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review. Data cutoff was February 10, 2023. Results: A total of 154 patients were enrolled (200 mg, n = 78; 120 mg, n = 76). In the pooled population, the median age was 64.0 years, 127 patients (82.5%) had intermediate/poor risk per IMDC criteria, 110 patients (71.4%) received 1-3 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) regimens, and 81 patients (52.6%) received 2 or 3 prior lines of therapy. As of the data cutoff date, 39 patients (25.3%) in the pooled population remained on treatment. Median follow-up was 20.1 months (range, 14.8-28.4). In the pooled population, ORR was 23.4% (95% CI, 16.9-30.9; 4 complete responses [CRs], 32 partial responses [PRs]) and median duration of response (DOR) was 16.1 months (range, 2.1+ to 23.5+). Additional efficacy analyses for subgroups are presented in the table. Conclusions: This post hoc analysis from the LITESPARK-013 study of patients with pretreated advanced ccRCC suggests that belzutifan has antitumor activity regardless of prior lines of therapies and prognostic risk category. These results further support belzutifan as a treatment option for advanced RCC. Clinical trial information: NCT04489771 . [Table: see text]

Immunological profiling of glioblastoma cellular composition to predict response to dendritic cell vaccination.

e14037 Background: Glioblastomas are the most common primary malignant brain tumors, comprising 2% of all adult cancers. Despite recent advancements in genetic classification and targeted therapies for specific mutations, there has been no significant improvement in overall life expectancy for the majority of patients. Last year, our research group reported promising results from a phase II prospective trial involving allogeneic dendritic cell vaccination. To date, six out of 37 reported cases remain alive without tumor recurrence, exhibiting a performance status of 90 to 100% according to the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) three years after the initiation of vaccination. Methods: In this study, we focused on the immune cell infiltration observed at the time of tumor excision in enrolled patients. We utilized flow cytometry to quantify cells expressing membrane CD86, CD45, HLA-DR, PD-L1, CD11b, and CD14, in addition to assessing IDH-1 status, age, gender, KPS, gender, ECOG, symptomatology, and the number of vaccines administered during the trial. Our goal was to predict responsiveness in terms of overall survival using a neural network prediction algorithm with three hidden nodes and five seeds for improved reproducibility. We employed the random holdback method for algorithm validation. Results: From the 37 enrolled patients, we successfully obtained viable tumor cells from 19 frozen samples. The model achieved an RSquare value of 0.71 after training and 0.66 after validation (where 1 indicates a perfect model and 0 implies no improvement over a constant model). Similar RSquare values in both training and validation sets indicate strong predictive power. Positive predictors of overall survival included HLA-DR positivity, PD-L1 positivity, IDH-1 mutation status, the presence of focal deficits, and higher KPS scores, while negative predictors were CD86 expression, older age, symptoms of intracranial hypertension (ICH), and higher ECOG performance status. Conclusions: In conclusion, the neural network algorithm described herein enables the prediction of responsiveness to dendritic cell vaccination in terms of overall survival, based on clinical features and the profile of immune cell infiltration observed at the time of tumor excision.

Genetic Risk For Depression and Quality of Life in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Although patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) have been shown to experience high distress, few longitudinal studies include a comprehensive evaluation of biopsychosocial factors affecting quality of life (QoL), including genetic risk for depression. To identify factors at the time of cancer diagnosis associated with QoL scores at 3 months after treatment in patients newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of HNC. This prospective longitudinal study of 1464 participants with a 3-month follow-up, including structured clinical interviews and self-administered measures was carried out at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at 2 tertiary care McGill University Affiliated Hospitals, McGill University Health Centre, and Jewish General Hospital. Eligible patients were adults newly diagnosed within 2 weeks with a primary first occurrence of HNC, had a Karnofsky Performance Scale score higher than 60, and an expected survival of more than 6 months. Two hundred and twenty-three patients (72%) consented to participate and completed the baseline questionnaire, and 71% completed the 3-month follow-up measures. An a priori conceptual model including sociodemographics, medical variables, psychosocial risk factors, and a polygenic risk score for depression (PRS-D) was tested. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck measured QoL at baseline and at 3 months. Participants were mostly men (68.7%), with a mean (range) age of 62.9 (31-92) years, 36.6% having a university degree, 35.6% living alone, and 71.4% diagnosed with advanced HNC with mostly cancers being of the oropharynx (42.2%), oral cavity (17%), and larynx (16.3%). QoL at 3 months after HNC diagnosis was associated with higher PRS-D (B = -4.71; 95% CI, -9.18 to -0.23), and a diagnosis of major depressive disorder within 2 weeks of an HNC diagnosis (B = -32.24; 95% CI, -51.47 to 13.02), lifetime suicidal ideation (B = -22.39; 95% CI, -36.14 to -8.65), living with someone (B = 12.48; 95% CI, 3.43-21.52), having smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days pre-HNC diagnosis (B = -15.50; 95% CI, -26.07 to -4.93), chemotherapy type (B = -11.13; 95% CI, -21.23 to -1.02), and total radiotherapy dose (Gy) (B = -0.008; 95% CI, -0.01 to -0.002). This study identified the predictive value of a genetic predisposition to depression on QoL and function immediately after oncologic treatments. These findings highlight the potential importance of genetic profiling pretreatment to identify those most susceptible to experience QoL and functional compromise. Depression is a clear area of public health concern and should be a central focus in the treatment of patients with HNC.

Local control and survival after stereotactic radiosurgery for colorectal cancer brain metastases: an international multicenter analysis.

The goal of this study was to characterize local tumor control (LC), overall survival (OS), and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery for colorectal brain metastasis (CRBM). Ten international institutions participating in the International Radiosurgery Research Foundation provided data for this retrospective case series. This study included 187 patients with CRBM (281 tumors), with a median age of 62 years and 56.7% being male. Most patients (53.5%) had solitary tumors, although 10.7% had > 5 tumors. The median tumor volume was 2.7 cm3 (IQR 0.22-8.1 cm3), and the median margin dose was 20 Gy (IQR 18-22 Gy). The 3-year LC and OS rates were 72% and 20%, respectively. Symptomatic adverse radiation effects occurred in 1.6% of patients. In the multivariate analysis, age > 65 years and tumor volume > 4.0 cm3 were significant predictors of tumor progression (hazard ratio [HR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.4-4.9; p = 0.003 and HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.9; p < 0.001, respectively). Better performance status (Karnofsky Performance Scale score > 80) was associated with a reduced risk of tumor progression (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.19-0.73; p = 0.004). Patient age > 62 years (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3; p = 0.03) and the presence of active extracranial disease (HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.4; p = 0.009) were significantly associated with worse OS. Stereotactic radiosurgery offers a high LC rate and a low rate of symptomatic adverse radiation effects for the majority of CRBMs. The OS and LC favored younger patients with high functional performance scores and inactive extracranial disease.

Purely endoscopic subtemporal keyhole anterior transpetrosal approach to access the petrous apex region: surgical techniques and early results.

The anterior transpetrosal approach using a microscope to provide wider access to the petrous apex region has been described for radical resection of lesions of the middle and posterior skull base. The microscopic anterior transpetrosal approach (mATPA) requires a wide craniotomy and meticulous epidural procedures to minimize temporal lobe retraction. Recently, the clinical application of transcranial endoscopic keyhole approaches for minimally invasive surgery has been steadily expanding. In this study, the details of the purely endoscopic subtemporal keyhole ATPA (eATPA) for petrous apex lesions are described and its initial results are reported. Between May 2022 and May 2023, the authors performed eATPA in 10 patients with petrous apex lesions, of which 6 were meningiomas, 3 were trigeminal schwannomas, and 1 was epidermoid cyst. The surgical procedure of the purely eATPA is as follows. After a small temporal craniotomy, the endoscopic procedure is started. The anterior rim of the petrous bone and Meckel's cave are exposed via an intradural subtemporal approach. The lesion is removed with additional drilling of Kawase's triangle, cutting the superior petrosal sinus, opening Meckel's cave, and cutting the tentorium. The authors also compared the outcomes of mATPA versus eATPA for consecutive cases of petrous apex lesions. Gross-total resection was achieved in 8 of the 10 patients. The average operative time was 4 hours 13 minutes. There were 3 cases of transient abducens nerve palsy and 1 case of trochlear nerve palsy in the postoperative period. No new-onset motor deficits or CSF leakage was noted in any of these patients. Only 1 patient exhibited postoperative asymptomatic temporal lobe edema. The Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores remained unchanged or improved for all patients postoperatively. Compared with mATPA, eATPA achieved a similar extent of resection and comparable postoperative KPS scores with a significantly shorter mean operative time, much smaller temporal craniotomy, and thus less mean blood loss during surgery with lower rates of new-onset temporal lobe edema in the postoperative period. An eATPA allows a direct route to access Meckel's cave and posterior cranial fossa lesions similar to conventional mATPA, with shortening the operative time and reducing the risk of postoperative temporal lobe edema. This eATPA is considered one of the new surgical techniques that can be expected to develop in the future.

Abstract 2231: Impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on symptom burden in the young adult primary central nervous system tumor population

Abstract Purpose: The goal of this analysis was to provide insight into differences in perceived symptom burden and general health status between young adults (YA; 18-39 years of age) and older adults (OA; ≥ 40 years of age) with primary central nervous system (PCNS) tumors. Determining differences in characteristics that impact symptom burden and general health status in YA will allow for tailored survivorship programs that meet the unique needs of this population. Methods: Data were retrospectively analyzed from the National Cancer Institute Neuro-Oncology Branch’s Natural History Study (NCT02851706 PI: T.S. Armstrong), which is an observational prospective cohort study designed to follow and collect PROs and clinical information on patients diagnosed with PCNS tumors throughout their disease trajectory. Differences in patient-reported outcomes (general health status [EQ-5D-3L], symptom burden [MDASI-BT and MDASI-SP], anxiety/depression [PROMIS], and perceived cognition [Neuro-QOL]) and demographic and clinical data were assessed using chi-square tests, one-way ANOVAs, and Students’ t-tests. Linear regression with backward elimination determined which characteristics impacted perceived symptom burden and general health status as evidenced by MDASI-BT and EQ-5D-3L, respectively. Results: The sample included 271 YA (82% with a primary brain tumor [PBT]; median age 31 [range, 18-39]) and 516 OA (88% with a PBT; median age 54 [range, 40-85]). YA were more likely to be single (P&amp;lt;0.001), employed (P&amp;lt;0.001), and make &amp;lt; $50,000 per year (P=0.014). More YA reported pain (P=0.008), nausea (P&amp;lt;0.001), drowsiness (P=0.043), and vomiting (P=0.001) than OA. More YA presented with vision problems (25% of YA, 16% of OA), whereas more OA presented with cognitive deficits (17% of YA, 25% of OA). Compared to YA, 7% more OA with PBTs and 19% more OA with primary spinal tumors (PST) were diagnosed in outpatient clinics, whereas the majority of YA with PBTs (47%) were diagnosed in an emergency room. Among demographic and clinical characteristics, only Karnofsky Performance Scale score was a predictor of general health status (P&amp;lt;0.001) in YA with PCNS tumors and symptom interference (P=0.014) in YA with PBTs. YA reported more affective, cognitive, neurologic, treatment-related, generalized disease, and gastrointestinal symptom burden than OA, with the affective factor being the most severe among the symptom factors reported. Among individuals with PSTs, 20% more YA reported moderate-severe anxiety (P=0.050) and 32% more YA reported moderate-severe perceived cognitive deficits (P=0.023) than OA. Conclusion: YA patients were more likely to be single, employed, have a lower income, and report more symptom burden than OA. These findings underscore the need for tailored survivorship programs providing additional psychosocial support and resources to address symptom presentation in YA. Citation Format: Kimberly Reinhart, Tricia Kunst, Jennifer Reyes, Alvina Acquaye-Mallory, Ewa Grajkowska, Byram H. Ozer, Marta Penas-Prado, Jing Wu, Eric Burton, Lisa Boris, Marissa Panzer, Tina Pillai, Lily Polskin, Mark R. Gilbert, Elizabeth Vera, Terri S. Armstrong. Impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on symptom burden in the young adult primary central nervous system tumor population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2231.

Surgical treatment of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors with coexisting intracranial lesions: A case series and review of the literature.

Pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) are a diverse group of benign neoplasms that account for a significant proportion of intracranial tumors (13%). The coexistence of PitNET with other intracranial lesions, such as meningiomas and intracranial aneurysms, has been constantly reported in the literature; yet, the pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, and the appropriate management is controversial. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcomes of patients with PitNET with coexisting intracranial lesions in a single healthcare center. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients who underwent surgical treatment for PitNET and another intracranial lesion at our single tertiary referral center over 15 years from January 2008 to May 2023. Among these coexisting lesions, aneurysms were the most commonly found (41.67%), followed by meningiomas (33.33%). Surgical intervention for both lesions was performed in a single-stage procedure for most cases (75%), employing transcranial, endoscopic endonasal, and combined approaches. We found low preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale scores in three patients, with significant differences in functional outcomes. These findings contribute to the limited knowledge about PitNET coexisting with other intracranial lesions and emphasize the importance of patient-tailored, multidisciplinary management in these unusual scenarios.

Long-Term Outcomes of Ablative Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy for Central Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of ablative carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for early stage central non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients who had received CIRT at 68.4 Gy in 12 fractions for central NSCLC in 2006-2019. The median age was 75 years, and the median Karnofsky Performance Scale score was 90%. All patients had concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 20 patients (67%) were considered inoperable. In DVH analysis, the median lung V5 and V20 were 15.5% and 10.4%, and the median Dmax, D0.5cc, D2cc of proximal bronchial tree was 65.6 Gy, 52.8 Gy, and 10.0 Gy, respectively. At a median follow-up of 43 months, the 3-year overall survival, disease-specific survival, and local control rates were 72.4, 75.8, and 88.7%, respectively. Two patients experienced grade 3 pneumonitis, but no grade ≥3 adverse events involving the mediastinal organs occurred. Ablative CIRT is feasible and effective for central NSCLC and could be considered as a treatment option, especially for patients who are intolerant of other curative treatments.

Surgical evacuation of spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage: Comparison of safety and efficacy of suboccipital craniotomy and robotic-assisted stereotactic hematoma drainage

ObjectiveThis study compared the efficacies of robotic-assisted stereotactic hematoma drainage and suboccipital craniotomy (SC) in patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH). MethodsThis retrospective study included 138 non-comatose patients with SCH (Glasgow Coma Scale score [GCS] >8), divided into the SC and Robotic Stereotactic Assistance (ROSA) groups. The study recorded and analyzed complications and prognoses 90 days after ictus. ResultsThe inclusion criteria were met by 138 patients: 61 in the SC and 77 in the ROSA group, with no significant differences in sex, age, GCS score, hematoma volume, and the time from ictus to operation. The time of operation was greater in the SC group (287.53±87.57) than in the ROSA group (60.54±20.03). The evacuation rate (ER) was greater in the SC group (93.20±1.58) than in the ROSA group (89.13±2.75). The incidence of pneumonia and stress ulcers, as well as the length or costs of medical services, were lower in the ROSA group than in the SC group. Ninety days after ictus, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), Glasgow Prognostic Scale (GOS), and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores significantly differed between the groups. The rate of good prognosis in the ROSA group was significantly higher compared with that in the SC group. The incidence of balance disorders was lower in the ROSA group than in the SC group; no statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of dysarthria and swallowing disorders. ConclusionRobotic-assisted stereotactic hematoma drainage may be suitable for non-comatose and stable condition patients with SCH. This procedure improves prognosis 90 days after ictus, lowers the incidence of pneumonia and stress ulcers, and reduces the length and costs of medical services.

Repeated high‑intensity focused ultrasound combined with iodine‑125 seed interstitial brachytherapy offers improved quality of life and pain control for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: A 52‑patient retrospective study.

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who have 5-year survival rates of ~5% are typically in the advanced stage. Pancreatic cancer has become the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and there is still a lack of effective treatments to improve patient survival rate. Hence, the purpose of the present retrospective study was to assess the potential clinical impact of repeated high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with iodine-125 (125I) interstitial brachytherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer who were ineligible for or declined surgery and chemotherapy. A total of 52 patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer were included in the study. At least one course of HIFU therapy combined with percutaneous ultrasound-guided 125I seed implantation was administered to each patient. The clinical assessment included an evaluation of Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score at baseline, and at 1 and 2 months after combined therapy. Pain intensity was additionally evaluated with the numerical rating score (NRS). Overall survival (OS) times and survival rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after combined treatment were evaluated. Adverse events commonly associated with HIFU and 125I seed implantation were recorded, and the severity of adverse events was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4. All 52 patients received successful repeated HIFU treatment combined with 125I seed implantation and were included in the analysis of efficacy and safety. The median OS time of patients was estimated to be 13.1 months (95% CI, 11.3-14.8). The survival rates at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months were 100.0, 86.5, 61.5 and 53.8%, respectively. The mean KPS score was 62.7±6.3 at baseline, 73.7±7.9 at 1 month and 68.8±6.5 at 2 months after combined treatment. KPS score increased significantly after combined therapy. The mean NRS score was 6.7±1.6 at baseline, and 4.7±1.7 and 5.4±1.5 at 1 and 2 months after combined treatment, respectively. The number of patients with severe pain and the NRS score were both significantly lower at 1 and 2 months after 125I seed implantation compared with those at baseline. No serious complications were detected during the follow-up period. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated the survival benefit and improvement in quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving repeated HIFU treatment combined with 125I interstitial brachytherapy, which may provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

An exploratory prospective phase II study of preoperative neoadjuvant bevacizumab and temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

PurposeThis multi-institutional phase I/II study was conducted to confirm the safety and explore the clinical utility of preoperative Bevacizumab (Bev) for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GB).MethodsPatients were enrolled based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings typically suggestive of GB. Preoperative Bev and temozolomide (TMZ) were administered at doses of 10 mg/kg on day 0 and 150 mg/m2 on days 1–5, respectively. Surgical resection was performed between days 21 and 30, inclusive. The safety and efficacy were evaluated in a total of 15 cases by progression-free survival (PFS), changes in tumor volume, Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores after preoperative therapy.ResultsTumor resection was performed on a mean of day 23.7. Pathological diagnosis was GB, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype in 14 cases and GB, IDH-mutant in 1 case. Severe adverse events possibly related to preoperative Bev and TMZ were observed in 2 of the 15 patients, as wound infection and postoperative hematoma and thrombocytopenia. KPS and MMSE scores were significantly improved with preoperative therapy. Tumor volume was decreased in all but one case on T1-weighted imaging with contrast-enhancement (T1CE) and in all cases on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, with mean volume decrease rates of 36.2% and 54.0%, respectively. Median PFS and overall survival were 9.5 months and 16.5 months, respectively.ConclusionPreoperative Bev and TMZ is safe as long as the instructions are followed. The strategy might be useful for GB in some patients, not only reducing tumor burden, but also improving patient KPS preoperatively.Trial Registration Number: UMIN000025579, jRCT1031180233 https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCT1031180233. Registration Date: Jan. 16, 2017