Metastatic Glioblastoma Research Articles

Transmission of Metastatic Glioblastoma Multiforme From Donor to Lung Transplant Recipient

This report describes a case in which a lung transplant patient presented with lung masses. After an extensive medical workup and biopsy, the masses were found to be caused by metastatic glioblastoma multiforme, which the patient acquired from the lung donor. This article will also review similar cases in the literature.

Extracranial Metastases of Glioblastoma in a Child

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common adult malignant brain tumor but is notably less common in children. Primary brain tumors rarely metastasize outside the central nervous system and when metastases occur, it is often in patients with diversionary shunting of the cerebrospinal fluid. This report details the case of a 13(1/2)-year-old boy who was diagnosed with GBM. He survived 10 months after diagnosis. At autopsy, the tumor was found to extensively infiltrate the leptomeninges as well as the cranial skin and soft tissue. Further examination disclosed multiple liver and lung metastatic GBM nodules. This pattern of spread is very uncharacteristic of gliomas and emphasizes the importance of adequate metastatic evaluation.

A phase I/II trial of RAD 001 with gefitinib in patients with castrate metastatic prostate cancer and glioblastoma multiforme

14520 Background: Inactivation of the Pten tumor suppressor gene, leading to constitutive activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, is correlated with resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies. This trial tested the concept that inhibition of mTOR by RAD 001 (NOVARTIS) will restore sensitivity to EGFR inhibition by gefitinib (ASTRA ZENECA), in patients with progressive PC and GBM. Methods: Phase I was designed to determine a safe and tolerable dose and the pharmacokinetics (PK) of RAD (30/ 50/ 70 mg po weekly) with a fixed dose of gefitinib (250 mg po qd) in patients with PC and GBM. Phase II evaluated the proportion of PC patients with no change or a decline in PSA at 12 weeks, without clinical or radiographic progression. FDG PET imaging and immunohistochemistry were included as correlative studies. Results: 12 patients (2 GBM, 10 PC) were treated in Phase I, and 22 of 27 PC patients have been treated in Phase II. (The GBM Phase II results are reported separately). 20/32 (63%) of PC patients had received prior chemotherapy. No dose limiting toxicities were observed in Phase I, and 70 mg of RAD 001 weekly with gefitinib 250 mg qd was studied as the Phase II dose. PK parameters estimated during a 3 week single agent lead-in phase and during subsequent combined therapy suggested no clinically relevant PK interactions between RAD and gefitinib. The most common drug-related grade 3/4 toxicities were lymphopenia (28%) and elevated ALT (7%). Serial FDG PET scans showed > 25% decline in SUV uptake in 9/23 evaluable patients during the first week of treatment; of these, 3 patients showed no progression at 12 weeks. Overall, 5/29 PC patients showed no progression at 12 weeks, 3 (60%) of whom had received prior chemotherapy. Conclusions: Combination therapy with RAD 70 mg weekly and gefitinib 250 mg daily appears to be safe and is associated with modest activity in metastatic prostate cancer. Support: Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. [Table: see text]

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of extracranial glioblastoma multiforme: Case report and review of the literature

BackgroundHitherto uncommon, the incidence of extracranial metastases of primary brain malignancies may increase, with improved treatment methods and longer patient survival. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is a simple, safe and reliable method to diagnose metastatic malignancy. It has definite advantages over tissue biopsy, which is more invasive and is of higher risk to the patient. Ours is a case of glioblastoma multiforme, which metastasized to the scalp and was diagnosed on fine needle aspiration biopsy. Only a few articles document the cytological features of extracranial glioblastoma multiforme, diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy.Case presentationWe report the case of an elderly female who presented with focal neurological symptoms. She was diagnosed radiologically with an intracranial lesion in the left temporal region, which was subsequently resected. Histology revealed a glioblastoma multiforme confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The tumor recurred subsequently and the patient was treated with chemotherapy, intraoperatively. At a later stage, she presented with a scalp mass on which fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed. The cytomorphological features aided by immunohistochemistry supported a diagnosis of metastatic glioblastoma multiforme. The mass was later resected and histology confirmed the fine needle aspiration diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme.ConclusionReports of extracranial metastases of primary brain tumors are few. When they do occur, the primary cause is implantation during surgery or biopsy. However, spontaneous metastases to other organs do occur rarely. We believe fine needle aspiration biopsy to be very useful in the diagnosis of metastatic glioblastoma multiforme. The ability to use a cellblock for immunohistochemical studies is greatly advantageous and helpful in differentiating this tumor, from other malignancies that can occur in the scalp. A detailed discussion of the material obtained from fine needle aspiration biopsy of metastatic glioblastoma multiforme is presented, as well as a review of previous accounts in the literature.

Metastatic Glioblastoma in Cervical Lymph Node after Repeated Craniotomies: Report of a Case with Diagnosis by Fine Needle Aspiration

Head and neck metastasis from glioblastoma is rare event usually seen in patients with previous and repeated surgery. We present the case of a 35 yr-old-female suffering from metastatic glioblastoma in cervical lymph node that was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration. During the last 4 yr, she had four separate craniotomies for the recurrent brain tumors. Cytological diagnosis was made by light microscopy with immunostaining with glial fibrillay acid protein. Chemotherapy with vincristine and procarbazine was performed. The cervical masses were decreased in size and some disappeared while the intracranial glioblastoma continued to grow during chemotherapy. We discuss possible explanations for these different courses after chemotherapy in extraneural metastatic glioblastoma and primary intracranial glioblastoma.