Progressive Glioblastoma Multiforme Research Articles

Phase II study of border zone stereotactic radiosurgery with bevacizumab in patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme.

e14020 Background: This phase II trial was performed to assess the efficacy of Border Zone Stereotactic Radiosurgery (BZ-SRS) with bevacizumab by overall survival (OS) in patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma (GBM) following conventional upfront management. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed GBM with recurrent disease, received prior first-line treatment with surgery/biopsy, fractionated radiotherapy and chemotherapy, ≥ 2 months since completion of radiotherapy and eligible for SRS were enrolled. Bevacizumab 10mg/kg was given one day before, day 14 and then every 14 days until disease progression. 1 to 14 days before BZ-SRS procedure, patients underwent standard brain MRI /MRS. MRS with measurement of choline-to-N-acetyl aspartate index (CNI) area ≥ 3 was targeted for SRS using standard MRI targeting. Results: From 2015-2017, sixteen patients were enrolled. The median age was 62 (range, 48-74Y). 3 of 16 (0.188) participants experienced grade 2 unacceptable toxicity. The median OS was 11.73 months. No survival difference is seen compared with the University of Pittsburgh historical controls. PFS-6 and OS-6 were 31.2% (p=0.00294) and 81.2%(p= 0.058), respectively. Of 13 evaluable for best response: 1 complete response (p=0.077), 4 partial responses (p=0.308), 7 stable disease (p=0.538), and 1 progressed disease (p=0.077). 11 of 16 participants had MRS scans with an estimated probability that MRS changes a treatment plan of 0 (0,0.285). Conclusions: BZ-SRS with bevacizumab was feasible and well tolerated. There is no significant survival benefit using BZ-SRS with bevacizumab compared to historical controls. Secondary analysis revealed a trend toward improved PFS-6, but not OS-6. MRS scans did not result in any changes in SRS treatment plans. Clinical trial information: NCT02120287 .

Phase 1b multicenter study to evaluate CHM 1101 in patients with recurrent or progressive glioblastoma.

TPS2086 Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor. More than 300,000 new cases are diagnosed globally with over 250,000 deaths each year (Sung H, et al. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021). Patients with recurrent GBM have a poor prognosis, with limited treatment options and a median survival of less than 1 year (Gallego. Curr Oncol, 2015). While prior attempts to treat GBM with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells have been limited by tumor heterogeneity, chlorotoxin (CLTX)-directed CAR T-cells in mice demonstrated broad anti-tumor activity and prolonged survival with no off-tumor toxicity or antigen escape (Wang, et al. Sci Transl Med, 2020). CLTX, a 36–amino acid peptide identified in scorpion venom, selectively binds to malignant glioma cells through matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) and clinical administration of CLTX-based biologics has been well tolerated in patients (Mamelak, et al. J Clin Oncol, 2005, Patil, et al. Neurosurgery, 2019). CHM 1101 is the first CAR T to utilize CLTX as its tumor targeting domain for autologous CAR T-cell therapy. A single-center first-in-human phase 1 study of CHM 1101 in patients with recurrent GBM is ongoing. Methods: Clinical Trial NCT05627323 is a phase 1b, multi-center study of CHM 1101 in adult subjects with MMP2+ recurrent or progressive GBM after standard therapy. After leukapheresis and tumor resection, pts will receive CHM 1101 at Dose Level 1 (240 × 106 CAR T cells) or Dose Level 2 (440 x 106d CAR T-cells), divided across 3 once-weekly intracranial (intracavitary and intraventricular) administrations; after disease assessment at 28 days, additional doses of CHM 1101 can be administered on a weekly schedule. Eligible subjects have a prior histologically confirmed diagnosis of a grade 4 GBM, a grade 2 or 3 malignant glioma with radiographic progression consistent with a grade 4 GBM (IDH wild type), grade 4 diffuse astrocytoma (IDH mutant), or a unifocal relapse of GBM. MMP2+ tumor expression is confirmed by IHC (≥20% moderate/high MMP2 score [2+ or 3+]). The primary endpoint is safety; key secondary endpoints include feasibility, progression-free survival, overall survival, response rate (RANO criteria), and cellular kinetics. Recruitment is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT05627323 .

Progress and Viewpoints of Multifunctional Composite Nanomaterials for Glioblastoma Theranostics.

The most common malignant tumor of the brain is glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in adults. Many patients die shortly after diagnosis, and only 6% of patients survive more than 5 years. Moreover, the current average survival of malignant brain tumors is only about 15 months, and the recurrence rate within 2 years is almost 100%. Brain diseases are complicated to treat. The reason for this is that drugs are challenging to deliver to the brain because there is a blood–brain barrier (BBB) protection mechanism in the brain, which only allows water, oxygen, and blood sugar to enter the brain through blood vessels. Other chemicals cannot enter the brain due to their large size or are considered harmful substances. As a result, the efficacy of drugs for treating brain diseases is only about 30%, which cannot satisfy treatment expectations. Therefore, researchers have designed many types of nanoparticles and nanocomposites to fight against the most common malignant tumors in the brain, and they have been successful in animal experiments. This review will discuss the application of various nanocomposites in diagnosing and treating GBM. The topics include (1) the efficient and long-term tracking of brain images (magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, and near-infrared light (NIR)); (2) breaking through BBB for drug delivery; and (3) natural and chemical drugs equipped with nanomaterials. These multifunctional nanoparticles can overcome current difficulties and achieve progressive GBM treatment and diagnosis results.

Advances in histone deacetylase inhibitors in targeting glioblastoma stem cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal grade IV glioma (WHO classification) and widely prevalent primary brain tumor in adults. GBM tumors harbor cellular heterogeneity with the presence of a small subpopulation of tumor cells, described as GBM cancer stem cells (CSCs) that pose resistance to standard anticancer regimens and eventually mediate aggressive relapse or intractable progressive GBM. Existing conventional anticancer therapies for GBM do not target GBM stem cells and are mostly palliative; therefore, exploration of new strategies to target stem cells of GBM has to be prioritized for the development of effective GBM therapy. Recent developments in the understanding of GBM pathophysiology demonstrated dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms along with the genetic changes in GBM CSCs. Altered expression/activity of key epigenetic regulators, especially histone deacetylases (HDACs) in GBM stem cells has been associated with poor prognosis; inhibiting the activity of HDACs using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) has been promising as mono-therapeutic in targeting GBM and in sensitizing GBM stem cells to an existing anticancer regimen. Here, we review the development of pan/selective HDACi as potential anticancer agents in targeting the stem cells of glioblastoma as a mono or combination therapy.

Oral DNA vaccination targeting VEGFR-2 combined with anti-PD-L1 avelumab in patients with progressive glioblastoma, a phase I/II study: NCT03750071.

TPS2076 Background: The vaccine (VXM01) is a VEGFR-2 coding DNA vaccine, using a Salmonella Ty21a carrier for oral application. VEGFR-2 is over-expressed in glioblastoma and serves as a promising target for VEGFR-2 primed T cells with the potential to alter tumor angiogenesis and/or eliminate VEGFR-2 expressing tumor cells. VXM01 was well tolerated in a previous phase I/II study involving 14 patients with progressive glioblastoma multiforme. Immunological correlates of vaccination and anti-tumor immunity in the blood and in the tumor were detected. At least one objective clinical response was attributed to vaccine monotherapy, with one more PR achieved in combination with nivolumab. Prolonged overall survival was associated with peripheral immune responses against VEGFR-2, J Clin Oncol 36, 2018 (suppl; abstr 2017). A combination study with the anti PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibody avelumab is currently underway. Methods: A multicentre, open-label phase I/II study ( EudraCT.gov no. 2017-003076-31), will enrol 30 patients with progressive glioblastoma, previously treated with temozolomide/radiotherapy. The primary objective is to evaluate safety and tolerability of the vaccine in combination with avelumab. In a 1+2 safety run in, two cohorts of non-reoperable patients will be vaccinated with one of 2 doses of the oral vaccine (106 or 107 CFU) with concurrent intravenous avelumab. After safety evaluation and recommendation of study continuation by the Data Safety Monitoring Board, 18 non-re-operable and 6 re-operable patients will be treated with 107 CFU of the vaccine + avelumab. Vaccinations for all patients will be on day 1, 3, 5, and 7, followed by 4-weekly boosts until progression. Avelumab 800 mg will be administered every two weeks until progression. The enrolment of cohort 1 started with inclusion of the 1st patient in November 2018. The end of study is week 60. Follow up visits will be on months 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24. Objective response rate (ORR), clinical response using iRano criteria, immunological correlates before and after treatment using ELISpot, FACS, TCR-sequencing, IF, and IHC laboratory methods. Clinical trial information: NCT03750071.

349P - Reduced-intensity bevacizumab in progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is associated with similar overall survival versus standard-dosing

349P - Reduced-intensity bevacizumab in progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is associated with similar overall survival versus standard-dosing

Identifying factors to predict benefit from bevacizumab in progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

e13515 Background: Bevacizumab (BEV) has demonstrated activity in GBM, but the benefits have not been clearly defined in prospective randomised phase III trials. Some patients continue BEV for extended periods but little is known about predictors of clinical benefit. It has been suggested that a less intensive dose schedule might offer similar benefits. Methods: In a retrospective analysis of a National Neuro-Oncology centre database we examined biomarkers of BEV benefit on overall survival (OS), including age at diagnosis, time from diagnosis to BEV start, MGMT methylation and IDH-1 status. We compared those who derived clinical benefit (OS of ≥6-months) to those with limited clinical benefit (OS <6 months). At our Institution, there is variable practice between Neuro-Oncologists in terms of BEV dose schedule. In this homogeneous patient population, we examined whether OS was similar for patients who received standard BEV dosing (10mg/kg q 2wks or 15mg/kg q 3wks) or reduced intensity BEV (5mg/kg q 2wks or 7.5mg/kg q 3wks). Results: Between January 1st 2010 and Dec 31st 2016, 170 patients received BEV for progressive GBM. Median OS was 5.5 months (Range: 0.5-54). OS was 42%, 18% and 2% at 6-, 12- and 24-months, respectively. No significant predictors of clinical benefit were identified (table). Importantly, median OS was similar for patients who received standard (N=94) vs. reduced intensity (N=76) BEV (5.2 vs. 5.6mo respectively), p=0.74. Conclusions: In this large cohort of patients, we did not identify predictors of benefit from BEV. OS was similar in patients who received standard or reduced intensity BEV. Given the cost of BEV, these results have important implications for value in cancer care. [Table: see text]

Role of surgical resection in recurrent glioblastoma: prognostic factors and outcome evaluation in an observational study.

The role of surgical resection in progressive or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) lack of high level of evidence. The aim of this evaluation was to assess the role of surgical resection in relapsing GBM, in relation to the extent of surgical resection (EOR) and the amount of residual tumor volume (RTV). Among patients treated for newly diagnosed GBM between September 2008-December 2014, 64 patients with recurrent GBM were included in this retrospective evaluation. All patients underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant treatments, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy Results were evaluated in terms of local control (LC) rate, progression free survival (PFS) and patients overall survival (OS). Gross total resection (GTR) (>90%) was achieved in 48 (75%) patients and subtotal resection (STR) in 16 (25%). RTV was 0 in 40 (62.5%) patients and >0 in 24 (37.5%). No severe postoperative morbidity occurred. The median LC time was 6.0 ± 0.1 months (95% CI 5.29-8.55), with a 1 and 2 years LC rate of 29.4 ± 6.9%. The median PFS time was 6.8 ± 0.8 months, with a 1year PFS rate of 27.2 ± 7.2% (95% CI 14.2-41.9). The median OS time was 10.3 ± 0.5 months (95% CI 7.6-10.4) with a 1 and 2 years OS rate of 22.5 ± 6.7% (95% CI 10.9-36.6). On univariate analysis EOR and RTV were recorded as conditioning LC and survival. These data was confirmed also in multivariate analysis only for RTV (p < 0.01). Recurrent GBM can take advantage of repeated surgery in selected patients with younger age and good clinical status. The entity of surgical resection was confirmed as conditioning survival.

Second line treatment of recurrent glioblastoma with sunitinib: results of a phase II study and systematic review of literature.

Second line treatment of recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is not standardized. Anti-angiogenic strategies with tyrosine-kinase inhibitors have been tested with conflicting results. We tested the association of sunitinib plus irinotecan (CPT-11) in a phase II trial in terms of response rate (RR) and 6-months progression-free survival (6-PFS). We also reviewed the clinical evidence from all the trials with sunitinib in this setting published to date and summarized it in a meta-analysis. Patients with GBM recurrent or progressive after surgery and standard chemo-radiotherapy were treated with sunitinib 37.5 mg/day for 14 days + CPT-11 125 mg/sqm every 14 days in a Simon's two-stage phase II study. A summary data meta-analysis was performed to establish the 6-PFS in patients with ascertained histological diagnosis of GBM treated with sunitinib. Six patients were enrolled in the stage I of the trial and only one had a stable disease. The overall response rate was 17% and 6-PFS was not reached. Therefore, the trial was stopped early for insufficient activity. All toxicities were grade 1-2. Systematic review of the literature identified 9 studies (including the present one) for a total of 221 patients. Pooled 6-PFS was 15.1% (95% CI: 9.0-24.4). Subgroup analysis by different schedule revealed a 6-PFS of 17.5% (95% CI: 10.3-28.1) in the weekly setting which was consistent across all the studies (I2=0%, P=0.66) and a pooled 6-PFS of 12.7% (95% CI: 4.9-29.1) in the daily setting with a substantial amount of heterogeneity (I2=65%, P=0.01). Results of this trial and those of the systematic review indicate that, compared to conventional chemotherapy or bevacizumab, sunitinib has insufficient activity in the setting of recurrent GBM. Better patient's molecular stratification for second-line treatment in GBM is warranted.

Complete response to bevacizumab plus irinotecan in patients with rapidly progressive GBM: Cases report and literature review

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in adults. The etiology of GBM is not known, and the prognosis is usually very poor. Despite new diagnostic techniques and treatment methods, the management of patients with GBM is difficult. Currently, the standard of care for the treatment of GBM is surgical resection, followed by concurrent RT with temozolomide, completed by adjuvant CT with temozolomide. Despite the survival benefit associated with these treatments, the majority of patients relapse following initial therapy. Unfortunately, optimal management for patients with recurrent or progressive GBM is unclear. In general, treatment for recurrent GBM may involve repeated resection, focal irradiation, and systemic therapies. When considering in terms of chemotherapy regimen, bevacizumab and irinotecan combination therapy for the progressive GBM may be used a suitable regimen. Also complete response in case of recurrent GBM is very rare. We present two cases with GBM who had complete response with bevacizumab plus irinotecan as second-line CT regimen, which rapidly progressed after surgery, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and first-line temozolomide therapy. Signs of rapid proliferation in the pathologic specimen of both cases were recorded. During follow-up both cases developed recurrent tumor within a month after first three cycles first-line temozolomide CT.

In Dubio Pro Therapia: Unexpected Recovery after Palliative Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Temozolomide Chemotherapy in a Patient with Progressive Glioblastoma multiforme

In Dubio Pro Therapia: Unexpected Recovery after Palliative Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and Temozolomide Chemotherapy in a Patient with Progressive Glioblastoma multiforme

Role of adjuvant or salvage radiosurgery in the management of unresected residual or progressive glioblastoma multiforme in the pre-bevacizumab era.

After initial standard of care management of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), relatively few proven options remain for patients with unresected progressive tumor. Numerous reports describe the value of radiosurgery, yet this modality appears to remain underutilized. The authors analyzed the outcomes of early adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for unresected tumor or later salvage SRS for progressive GBM. Radiosurgery was performed as part of the multimodality management and was combined with other therapies. Patients continued to receive additional chemotherapy after SRS and prior to progression being documented. In this retrospective analysis, the authors evaluated factors that affected patient overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival. Between 1987 and 2008 the authors performed Gamma Knife SRS in 297 patients with histologically proven GBMs. All patients had received prior fractionated radiation therapy, and 66% had undergone one or more chemotherapy regimens. Ninety-six patients with deep-seated unresectable GBMs underwent biopsy only. Of those in whom excision had been possible, resection was considered to be gross total in 68 and subtotal in 133. The median patient age was 58 years (range 23-89 years) and the median tumor volume was 14 cm(3) (range 0.26-84.2 cm(3)). The median prescription dose delivered to the imaging-defined tumor margin was 15 Gy (range 9-25 Gy). The median follow-up duration was 8.6 months (range 1.1-173 months). Cox regression models were used to analyze survival outcomes. Variables examined included age, residual versus recurrent tumor, prior chemotherapy, time to first recurrence, SRS dose, and gross tumor volume. The median survival times after radiosurgery and after diagnosis were 9.03 and 18.1 months, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year OS after SRS were 37.9% and 16.7%, respectively. The 1-year and 2-year OS after diagnosis were 76.2% and 30.8%, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, factors associated with improved OS after diagnosis were younger age (< 60 years) at diagnosis (p < 0.0001), tumor volume < 14 cm(3) (p < 0.001), use of prior chemotherapy (p = 0.001), and radiosurgery at the time of recurrence (p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (p < 0.0001) and smaller tumor volume (< 14 cm(3)) (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with increased OS after SRS. Adverse radiation effects were seen in 69 patients (23%). Fifty-eight patients (19.5%) underwent additional resection after SRS. The median survivals after diagnosis for recursive partitioning analysis Classes III, IV and V+VI were 31.6, 20.8, and 16.7 months, respectively. In this analysis 30% of a heterogeneous cohort of GBM patients eligible for SRS had an OS of 2 years. Radiosurgery at the time of tumor progression was associated with a median survival of 21.8 months. The role of radiosurgery for GBMs remains controversial. The findings in this study support the need for a funded and appropriately designed clinical trial that will provide a higher level of evidence regarding the future role of SRS for glioblastoma patients in whom disease has progressed despite standard management.

Sorafenib for patients with pretreated recurrent or progressive high-grade glioma

Therapeutic options for patients with pretreated advanced high-grade glioma (HGG) are limited. Sorafenib, a small molecule with multiple potential beneficial actions, appears particularly promising. We reviewed the outcomes of 30 patients with recurrent or progressive HGG treated with sorafenib within a named patient program. Overall, 16 patients suffered from recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme and 14 patients had grade 3 gliomas. All but four patients had previously undergone surgical debulking; all but one patient had received previous standard multimodal treatment; and 18 patients (60%) had received more than one line of chemotherapy, in median three. Progression-free survival (PFS), defined as the time from initiation of sorafenib to treatment discontinuation because of tumor progression or death, was selected as the endpoint. The use of sorafenib resulted in a median PFS of 3 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9-4.1 months] in patients with glioblastoma and of 3.1 months (95% CI 1.4-4.8 months) in patients with other HGG. The PFS-6 for the whole cohort was 23%. Sixteen patients reported adverse events, mostly moderate, with hypertension as the most frequently reported toxicity (seven patients). One patient died of cerebral bleeding (grade 5 toxicity). The overall survival after initiation of sorafenib was 6 months (95% CI 3.9-8.0 months) for patients with glioblastoma multiforme and 10 months (95% CI 3.1-16.9 months) for patients with HGG. In this retrospective analysis of heavily pretreated patients with HGG, sorafenib monotherapy was associated with tumor stabilization in a small subset of patients. The risk-benefit ratio was acceptable in the context of an apparent clinical benefit in patients with a fatal disease.

The role of radiotherapy in the management of progressive glioblastoma : a systematic review and evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

Can re-irradiation (by using conventional radiotherapy, fractionated radiosurgery, or single fraction radiosurgery) be used in patients with progressive glioblastoma multiforme after the first adjuvant combined multimodality treatment with radiation and chemotherapy? These recommendations apply to adult patients with progressive glioblastoma after first line combined multimodality treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. When the target tumor is amenable for additional radiation, re-irradiation is recommended as it provides improved local tumor control, as measured by best imaging response. Such re-irradiation can take the form of conventional fractionation radiotherapy, fractionated radiosurgery, or single fraction radiosurgery. Re-irradiation is recommended in order to maintain or improve a patient's neurological status and quality of life prior to any further tumor progression.

Niedrigdosierte fraktionierte Strahlentherapie und gleichzeitige Chemotherapie bei rezidiviertem oder progredientem Glioblastom

Evaluated in this study were the feasibility and the efficacy of concurrent low dose fractionated radiotherapy (LD-FRT) and chemotherapy as palliative treatment for recurrent/progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Eligible patients had recurrent or progressive GBM, Karnofsky performance status ≥ 70, prior surgery, and standard radiochemotherapy treatment. Recurrence/progression disease during temozolomide (TMZ) received cisplatin (CDDP; 30 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15), fotemustine (FTM; 40 mg/m(2) on days 2, 9, 16), and concurrent LD-FRT (0.3 Gy twice daily); recurrence/progression after 4 months from the end of adjuvant TMZ were treated by TMZ (150/200 mg/m(2) on days 1-5) concomitant with LD-FRT (0.4 Gy twice daily). Primary endpoints were safety and toxicity. A total of 32 patients were enrolled. Hematologic toxicity G1-2 was observed in 18.7 % of patients and G3-4 in 9.4 %. One patient (3.1 %) had complete response, 3 (9.4 %) had partial response, 8 (25 %) had stable disease for at least 8 weeks, while 20 patients (62.5 %) experienced progressive disease. The clinical benefit was 37.5 %. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5 and 8 months, respectively. Survival rate at 12 months was of 27.8 %. LD-FRT and chemotherapy for recurrent/progressive GBM have a good toxicity profile and clinical outcomes, even though further investigation of this novel palliative treatment approach is warranted.

Tumor Treating Fields—An Emerging Cancer Treatment Modality

Tumor treating fields (TTFs) are an evolving new anticancer modality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first device, the NovoTTF-100A™, that uses this technology and is indicated for use in progressive glioblastoma multiforme after standard therapies have failed. Promising clinical trial results will likely lead to expanded uses in primary brain tumors and other cancer types. This article will review the concept of TTFs and their mechanism of action, and overview the TTF device and its approved usage.

Energy restricted ketogenic diet (ERKD) treatment for advanced glioblastoma multiforme (GBM): Case report

This study aimed to evaluate a 12 week ERKD protocol for advanced GBM.A 55 year old white male with progressive GBM was hospitalized to establish ketosis and initiate ERKD. A therapeutic range was established for serum betahydroxybutyrate (BHB) of 3–6 mmol/L and serum glucose of 50–70 mg/dl. Feeding began when patient achieved BHB of ≥3 mmol/L. While he was on ERKD his BHB and glucose were measured twice daily as fasting morning (AM) and two hours post‐prandial in the evening (PM). Initial diet consisted of Ketocal® 3:1 formula, 20–25 kcals/kg. The 3:1 fat: protein + carbohydrate ratio met protein needs of 0.6–0.8 grams protein/kg. The patient and wife received instructions from a dietitian on ketogenic meal preparation.The BHB and glucose were in therapeutic range initially. As feedings advanced, AM BHB levels decreased to &lt; 3 mmol/L and glucose ≥ 80 mg/dl. Ketosis deepened daily and PM measurements &gt;; 3 mmol/L. BHB and glucose levels did not always correlate. Patient found Ketocal® unpalatable and changed to a food only ketogenic diet. Diet manipulation alleviated his hunger and increased AM BHB. His weight decreased by 6%. Patient withdrew from the study when GBM progressed ERKD protocols can be administered with a trained team to adults with GBM. Study is needed to determine the optimal diet to maintain therapeutic glucose and ketones. Supported by Michigan State University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.

Pseudoprogression of Glioblastoma after Chemo- and Radiation Therapy: Diagnosis by Using Dynamic Susceptibility-weighted Contrast-enhanced Perfusion MR Imaging with Ferumoxytol versus Gadoteridol and Correlation with Survival

To compare gadoteridol and ferumoxytol for measurement of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who showed progressive disease at conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after chemo- and radiation therapy (hereafter, chemoradiotherapy) and to correlate rCBV with survival. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment in one of four institutional review board-approved protocols. Contrast agent leakage maps and rCBV were derived from perfusion MR imaging with gadoteridol and ferumoxytol in 19 patients with apparently progressive GBM on conventional MR images after chemoradiotherapy. Patients were classified as having high rCBV (>1.75), indicating tumor, and low rCBV (≤ 1.75), indicating pseudoprogression, for each contrast agent separately, and with or without contrast agent leakage correction for imaging with gadoteridol. Statistical analysis was performed by using Kaplan-Meier survival plots with the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models. With ferumoxytol, rCBV was low in nine (47%) patients, with median overall survival (mOS) of 591 days, and high rCBV in 10 (53%) patients, with mOS of 163 days. A hazard ratio of 0.098 (P = .004) indicated significantly improved survival. With gadoteridol, rCBV was low in 14 (74%) patients, with mOS of 474 days, and high in five (26%), with mOS of 156 days and a nonsignificant hazard ratio of 0.339 (P = .093). Five patients with mismatched high rCBV with ferumoxytol and low rCBV with gadoteridol had an mOS of 171 days. When leakage correction was applied, rCBV with gadoteridol was significantly associated with survival (hazard ratio, 0.12; P = .003). Ferumoxytol as a blood pool agent facilitates differentiation between tumor progression and pseudoprogression, appears to be a good prognostic biomarker, and unlike gadoteridol, does not require contrast agent leakage correction.

Is There a Role for Concomitant Low-dose Fractionated Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy in Recurrent or Progressive Glioblastoma?

Standardized salvage treatment for recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, who previously received radiation therapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ), has not yet been defined. Several in vitro and preclinical studies have demonstrated the hyper-radiosensitivity of human malignant glioma cell lines to low radiation doses and a synergism between low dose fractionated radiation therapy (LD-FRT) and chemotherapy. To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this approach in recurrent or progressive GBM, we performed a prospective analysis of concurrent chemotherapy and LD-FRT.

Pseudoprogression in Patients With Glioblastoma Multiforme After Concurrent Radiotherapy and Temozolomide

To evaluate pathologically confirmed incidence of pseudoprogression and its impact on survival in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients treated with radiotherapy and concurrent temozolomide (TMZ), followed by 6 months of TMZ maintenance therapy. Sixty-three patients with histologic proof of GBM underwent 60 Gy (2 Gy/fr, 30 fractions) of brain radiotherapy concurrent with continuous 75 mg/m/d TMZ, followed by 6 cycles of maintenance TMZ (200 mg/m/d for 5 d, every 28 d). Response assessment was performed by magnetic resonance imaging every 2 months. All patients with radiologic doubt of early tumor progression (≤6 mo) underwent salvage surgery. All patients underwent surgical resection. Gross total, subtotal resection, and biopsy were performed in 17 (27.0%), 32 (51.6%), and 14 (21.4%) patients, respectively. Lesion enlargement on first follow-up magnetic resonance imaging evidenced in 28 (44.4%) patients. Salvage pathologies revealed pseudoprogression in 12 of 28 (42.8%) patients corresponding to an overall pseudoprogression rate of 19%. Survival analysis revealed that patients with pseudoprogression had superior overall and progression-free survival rates at both 1 and 2 years (P<0.05 for each, respectively). Current results indicates the urgency of need for novel imaging techniques and/or biochemical marker(s) that can better distinguish pseudoprogression from true progression to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful surgical interventions in almost half of the radiologically progressive GBM patients. Our additional observation which suggests better survival for patients with pseudoprogression warrants to be studied in larger patient cohorts.