Regorafenib side effects

Regorafenib side effects

 


Some of the most common side effects of regorafenib include:

Fatigue

Diarrhea

Nausea and vomiting

Loss of appetite

Hand-foot syndrome (redness, swelling, and pain on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet)

High blood pressure

Abdominal pain

Headache

Weight loss

Infections


Extensive coagulative necrosis 1).


One patient experienced, after reintervention and during Regorafenib treatment (administered 40 days after surgery), dehiscence of the surgical wound 2)


In patients with progressive WHO grade 3 or 4 gliomas, predominantly with two pretreatment lines or more, regorafenib seems to be effective despite considerable grade 3 or 4 side effects 3).


Treiber et al. described 11 consecutive patients with high-grade glioma recurrence treated with regorafenib at the university medical center in Göttingen. The majority of patients had MGMT promoter methylation (9/11 cases). Regorafenib was given as 2nd line systemic treatment in 6/11 patients and 3rd or higher line treatment in 5/11 patients. The median number of applied cycles was 2 with dosage reductions on 5/11. Response to treatment was observed on 4/11 (PR on 1/11, and SD on 3/11). The Median overall survival for the cohort was 16.1 months, median progression-free survival was 9.0 months, and median time to treatment failure was 3.3 months. Side effects of any CTCAE grade were noted in all patients, hereby 6/11 with CTCAE °III-IV reactions. High-grade side effects were of dermatologic, cardiovascular, and hematologic nature. A mean treatment delay of 57.5 days (range 23-119) was noted between tumor board recommendation and treatment initiation due to the application process for off-label use in this indication. In conclusion, treatment with regorafenib in relapsed high-grade glioma is a feasible treatment option but has to be considered carefully due to the significant side effect profile 4).


Within 12-months of regorafenib treatment, and 16-years since SRS, the patient developed ipsilateral House-Brackmann Grade IV facial weakness. Dramatic VS expansion from 14 to 25 mm in maximum diameter, with new brain stem compression, was seen on MRI. Due to poor prognosis of his gastrointestinal malignancy, he declined surgical resection, and elected for palliative salvage SRS 5).


1) 
Werner JM, Wollring MM, Tscherpel C, Rosen EK, Werr L, Stetter I, Rueß D, Ruge MI, Brunn A, Al Shughri A, Kabbasch C, Fink GR, Langen KJ, Galldiks N. Multimodal imaging findings in patients with glioblastoma with extensive coagulative necrosis related to regorafenib. Neuro Oncol. 2023 Mar 24:noad051. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/noad051. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36960770.
2) 
Gregucci F, Surgo A, Carbonara R, Laera L, Ciliberti MP, Gentile MA, Caliandro M, Sasso N, Bonaparte I, Fanelli V, Tortora R, Paulicelli E, Surico G, Lombardi G, Signorelli F, Fiorentino A. Radiosurgery and Stereotactic Brain Radiotherapy with Systemic Therapy in Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas: Is It Feasible? Therapeutic Strategies in Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas. J Pers Med. 2022 Aug 20;12(8):1336. doi: 10.3390/jpm12081336. PMID: 36013284; PMCID: PMC9410141.
3) 
Werner JM, Wolf L, Tscherpel C, Bauer EK, Wollring M, Ceccon G, Deckert M, Brunn A, Pappesch R, Goldbrunner R, Fink GR, Galldiks N. Efficacy and tolerability of regorafenib in pretreated patients with progressive CNS grade 3 or 4 gliomas. J Neurooncol. 2022 Jun 18. doi: 10.1007/s11060-022-04066-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35716310.
4) 
Treiber H, von der Brelie C, Malinova V, Mielke D, Rohde V, Chapuy CI. Regorafenib for recurrent high-grade glioma: a unicentric retrospective analysis of feasibility, efficacy, and toxicity. Neurosurg Rev. 2022 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s10143-022-01826-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35725846.
5) 
Carlstrom LP, Muñoz-Casabella A, Perry A, Graffeo CS, Link MJ. Dramatic Growth of a Vestibular Schwannoma After 16 Years of Postradiosurgery Stability in Association With Exposure to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. Otol Neurotol. 2021 Dec 1;42(10):e1609-e1613. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000003304. PMID: 34766951; PMCID: PMC8597893.

Condoliase for lumbar disc herniation

Condoliase for lumbar disc herniation


Percutaneous chemonucleolysis with condoliase has been available for painful lumbar disc herniation since 2018 in Japan.


In the 1980s, chemonucleolysis with chymopapain, a protease, was widely used as the intermediate treatment between conservative therapy and surgical therapy in Western countries. However, since chymopapain was withdrawn from the market in 2002 for non-scientific commercial reasons, chemonucleolysis has not been a therapeutic option for LDH. Condoliase (chondroitin sulfate ABC endolyase), a glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzyme, was approved by the drug regulatory authority in Japan as a newer intradiscal therapy for LDH after clinical studies conducted in Japan demonstrated efficacy and safety for patients with LDH 1)


Condoliase as a first-line treatment option ahead of surgical treatment for LDH is superior, from a cost perspective to surgical treatment from the beginning. Condoliase is also a cost-effective alternative to non-surgery conservative treatment 2).

Patients between 20 and 70 years of age with unilateral leg pain, positive findings on the straight leg raise test, and LDH were recruited. All eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive condoliase (1.25, 2.5, or 5 U) or placebo. The primary end point was a change in the worst leg pain from preadministration (baseline) to week 13. The secondary end points were changes from baseline in the following items: worst back pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), SF-36, and neurological examination. For pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses, plasma condoliase concentrations and serum keratan sulfate concentrations were measured. The safety end points were adverse events (AEs) and radiographic and MRI parameters. Data on leg pain, back pain, abnormal neurological findings, and imaging parameters were collected until week 52. RESULTS A total of 194 patients received an injection of condoliase or placebo. The mean change in worst leg pain from baseline to week 13 was -31.7 mm (placebo), -46.7 mm (1.25 U), -41.1 mm (2.5 U), and -47.6 mm (5 U). The differences were significant at week 13 in the 1.25-U group (-14.9 mm; 95% CI -28.4 to -1.4 mm; p = 0.03) and 5-U group (-15.9 mm; 95% CI -29.0 to -2.7 mm; p = 0.01) compared with the placebo group. The dose-response improvement in the worst leg pain at week 13 was not significant (p = 0.14). The decrease in the worst leg pain in all 3 condoliase groups was observed from week 1 through week 52. Regarding the other end points, the worst back pain and results of the straight leg raise test, ODI, and SF-36 showed a tendency for sustained improvement in each of the condoliase groups until week 52. In all patients at all time points, plasma condoliase concentrations were below the detectable limit (< 100 μU/ml). Serum keratan sulfate concentrations significantly increased from baseline to 6 hours and 6 weeks after administration in all 3 condoliase groups. No patient died or developed anaphylaxis or neurological sequelae. Five serious AEs occurred in 5 patients (3 patients in the condoliase groups and 2 patients in the placebo group), resolved, and were considered unrelated to the investigational drug. Severe AEs occurred in 10 patients in the condoliase groups and resolved or improved. In the condoliase groups, back pain was the most frequent AE. Modic type 1 change and decrease in disc height were frequent imaging findings. Dose-response relationships were observed for the incidence of adverse drug reactions and decrease in disc height. CONCLUSIONS Condoliase significantly improved clinical symptoms in patients with LDH and was well tolerated. While all 3 doses had similar efficacy, the incidence of adverse drug reactions and decrease in disc height were dose dependent, thereby suggesting that 1.25 U would be the recommended clinical dose of condoliase. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT00634946 (clinicaltrials.gov) 3).

Ohtonari et al. investigated clinical and radiographic outcomes three months after the administration because secondary surgical removal is most required during this period for insufficient pain relief, and analyzed whether the differences in intradiscal injection areas affected the clinical outcomes. They retrospectively investigated 47 consecutive patients (males, 31; median age, 40 years) three months after the administration. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), a visual analog scale (VAS) score for low back pain, and VAS scores for pains and numbness in the lower limbs. Radiographic outcomes were analyzed in 41 patients, using parameters such as mid-sagittal disc height and maximal protrusion length of herniation on MRI preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The postoperative median evaluation period was 90 days. The effective rate of low back pain based on the pain-related disorders at baseline and the last follow-up in the JOABPEQ reached 79.5%. The postoperative proportion of VAS scores recovery ≥ 2 points and ≥ 50% for pains in the lower limbs were 80.9% and 66.0%, respectively, revealing satisfactory effectiveness. Preoperative median mid-sagittal disc height significantly reduced from 9.5 to 7.6 mm postoperatively. There were no significant differences in pain relief in the lower limbs by injection areas in the center and the dorsal 1/3rd near the herniation of the nucleus pulposus. Chemonucleolysis with condoliase revealed satisfactory short-term outcomes after the administration regardless of intradiscal injection areas 4).


101 patients who underwent chemonucleolysis with condoliase from January 2019 to December 2021. Patients were divided into good outcome (i.e., favorable outcome) and poor outcome (i.e., requiring additional surgical treatment) groups. Patient demographics and imaging findings were collected. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the numerical rating scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores at baseline and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. Pretreatment indicators for additional surgery were compared between the 2 groups. Results: There was a significant difference in baseline leg numbness between the good outcome and poor outcome groups (6.27 ± 1.90 vs. 4.42 ± 2.90, respectively; p = 0.033). Of the 101 included patients, 32 received a preoperative computed tomography scan. In those patients, the presence of calcification or ossification in disc hernia occurred more often in the poor outcome group (61.5% vs. 5.3%, respectively; p &lt; 0.001; odds ratio = 22.242; p = 0.014). Receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis for accompanying calcification or ossification showed an area under the curve of 0.858 (95% confidence interval, 0.715-1.000; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Calcified or ossified disc herniation may be useful predictors of unsuccessful treatment in patients with condoliase administration 5).


Sixty-seven patients (44 men, 23 women; mean age, 46.7 ± 18.0 years) were analyzed. Time-course changes in disc height, disc degeneration, and herniation size were assessed. For clinical outcomes assessment, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for leg and back pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were obtained at baseline and the 3-month, 1-year, and 2-year follow-ups. We obtained a questionnaire from these patients at two years to assess satisfaction and recommendation. Condoliase therapy was considered to be effective in patients whose VAS score for leg pain improved by ≥ 50% at 2 years from baseline and who did not require surgery.

Results: Condoliase therapy was effective in 51 patients (76.1%). Eight patients (11.9%) required surgery due to ineffectiveness of the therapy. Condoliase therapy was ineffective in five out of six patients with a history of discectomy. The ODI and VAS scores for leg and back pain significantly improved from three months to two years. Of the patients, 80% satisfied with their outcomes, and 85% recommended this therapy. Progression of disc degeneration was observed in 57.1% of patients at three months; however, 30% recovered to baseline at two years. The mean disc height decreased at three months, but recovered slightly at one year and remained stable until two years. No recurrent disc herniation was observed.

Conclusions: Chemonucleolysis with condoliase was effective in 78% of patients with LDH for 2 years. Chemonucleolysis-induced disc degeneration was slightly recovered and maintained for two years post-injection. This treatment resulted in high patient satisfaction and recommendations 6).


137 LDH patients treated through condoliase at four Japanese institutions and assessed its effectiveness among different age categories on alleviation of visual analog scale (VAS) of leg pain, low back pain and numbness, as well as ODI and JOA scores. Moreover, we divided them into either a “group-A” category if a ≥50% improvement in baseline leg pain VAS was observed or “group-N” if VAS leg pain improved &lt;50%. Next, we assessed the differences in clinical and demographic distribution between group-A and group-N. Results: Fifty-five patients were classified as group-A (77.5%) and 16 patients were allocated to group-N (22.5%). A significant difference in Pfirrmann classification was found between both cohorts, with grade IV suggested to be most receptive. A posterior disc angle &gt; 5° was also found to approach statical significance. In all age groups, average VAS scores showed improvement. However, 75% of adolescent patients showed deterioration in Pfirrmann classification following treatment. Conclusions: Intradiscal condoliase injection is an effective treatment for LDH, even in patients with large vertebral translation and posterior disc angles, regardless of age. However, since condoliase imposes a risk of progressing disc degeneration, its indication for younger patients remains controversial 7).


Medical records and radiographic findings were reviewed retrospectively for 127 patients with LDH (88 male, 39 female, mean age: 46.6 ± 17.1 years, mean follow-up: 9.8 ± 7.8 months) who underwent chemonucleolysis with intradiscal condoliase injection at our center since September 2018. Condoliase (1.25 U/mL; 1 mL volume) was injected toward the middle of the affected intervertebral nucleus pulposus using a 21-gauge disc-puncture needle.

Results: Cases in which the Pfirrmann grade did and did not progress in the 3 months after the injection were included in groups P (progression, n = 49) and NP (non-progression, n = 78), respectively. Logistic regression analysis of progression of Pfirrmann grade post-injection showed significant associations with age <40 years (p = 0.013, odds ratio (OR): 3.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-10.31), Pfirrmann Grade II or III at baseline (p = 0.021, OR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.24-9.64), and a high-intensity MRI signal in the herniation (p = 0.047, OR: 2.97, 95% CI: 1.03-8.87). Patients in group P had significantly higher rates of disc height decrease ≥20%, reduced herniated disc size, and improved VAS for pain, but both groups had significant decreases in pain. No cases had an anaphylactic shock or neurologic sequelae.

Conclusions: These results show the safety and efficacy of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for treatment of painful LDH. Progression of Pfirrmann criteria on MRI at 3 months after injection was significantly associated with an improved clinical outcome 8).


Seventy patients (85.4%) were classified into the effective (E) group and 12 patients (14.6%) into the less-effective (L) group. Surgical treatment was required in four patients. No severe adverse complications were reported; 41.3% of the patients developed disc degeneration of Pfirrmann grade 1 or more at the injected disc level. Univariate analysis revealed that young age (p = 0.036), without history of epidural or nerve root block (p = 0.024), and injection into the central portion of the intervertebral disc (p = 0.014) were significantly associated with clinical effectiveness. A logistic regression analysis revealed that injection into the central portion of the intervertebral disc (p = 0.049; odds ratio, 4.913; 95% confidence interval, 1.006-26.204) was significantly associated with clinical effectiveness.

Conclusions: Chemonucleolysis with condoliase is a safe and effective treatment for painful LDH; 85.4% of the patients showed improvement after the treatment without severe adverse events. To obtain the best outcome, condoliase should be injected into the center of the intervertebral disc 9).


Forty-seven patients (20 women, 27 men; mean age 48 years) were included. The herniation level was L2/3 in one patient, L3/4 in two, L4/5 in 23, and L5/S1 in 21. Median symptom duration was 8 months. The mean VAS and ODI improved significantly from the baseline to 3-month follow-up (p < 0.01). Group E included 33 patients (70.2%) and group I included 14, three of whom had a history of discectomy. The rates of spondylolisthesis and posterior intervertebral angle ≥5° were significantly higher in group I than in group E. However, the rates of trans-ligamentous type and herniation with high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (highT2) were significantly higher in group E. Reduction of disc herniation was more frequently observed in group E.

Conclusions: Condoliase injection resulted in significantly improved symptoms in patients with LDH. Condoliase therapy was less effective for patients with a history of discectomy, spondylolisthesis, or those with a posterior intervertebral angle ≥5°, while trans-ligamentous type and high T2 herniation were associated with increased efficacy 10)


A total of 52 patients (mean age, 45.0 years) were enrolled and classified according to whether the injection was effective (E group, n=40, 76.9%) or less effective (L group, n=9, 17.3%). Three patients (5.8%) underwent herniotomy for residual pain within 6 months of the injection. There were no severe adverse events. Reduction of herniation was seen on MRI more often in the E group than in the L group. The effectiveness in patients with transligamentous LDH was similar to that in patients with subligamentous LDH. High-intensity signal change in the area of LDH on pretreatment T2-weighted MRI was a significant predictor of successful leg pain relief.

Conclusions: An intradiscal condoliase injection was a safe and effective treatment for painful radiculopathy caused by LDH. Leg pain was more likely to improve in patients with high-intensity signal change in the area of LDH before treatment 11).


In total, 84 patients were recruited (52 men, 32 women; mean age, 44.2 ± 17.1 [16-86 years]). The duration of illness was 6.7 ± 6.8 (1.5-30) months. All patient-based outcomes significantly improved at 4 weeks after the administration compared with pretreatment. The intervertebral disc height decreased significantly at four weeks after condoliase administration compared with that before administration. Progression of intervertebral disc degeneration occurred in 50% of the patients. Eleven patients underwent herniotomy due to poor treatment effects. Moreover, treatment in 77.4% of the patients was considered effective. A logistic regression analysis revealed that L5/S1 disk administration (p = 0.029; odds ratio, 5.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-29.45) were significantly associated with clinical effectiveness.

Conclusions: Condoliase disk administration improved pain and quality of life over time. Condoliase disk administration was more effective in L5/S1 intervertebral administration 12).


47 patients who received condoliase, 34 were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was 33 years. The average duration since the onset of disease was 8.6 months. We evaluated patients’ low back and leg pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS) score at two time points (before therapy and 3 months after therapy). We divided the patients into two groups (good group (G): NRS score improvement ≥ 50%, poor group (P): NRS score improvement < 50%). The parameters evaluated were age, disease duration, body mass index (BMI), and positive or negative straight leg raising test results. In addition, the loss of disc height and preoperative radiological findings were evaluated. Results: In terms of low back and leg pain, the G group included 9/34 (26.5%) and 21/34 (61.8%) patients, respectively. Patients’ age (low back pain G/P, 21/36.5 years) was significantly lower in the G group for low back pain (p = 0.001). High-intensity change in the protruded nucleus pulposus (NP) and spinal canal occupancy by the NP ≥ 40% were significantly high in those with leg pain in the G groups (14/21, p = 0.04; and 13/21, p = 0.03, respectively). Conclusions: The efficacy of improvement in leg pain was significantly correlated with high-intensity change and size of the protruded NP. Condoliase was not significantly effective for low back pain but could have an effect on younger patients 13).


42 patients with LDH who underwent intradiscal condoliase injection. Patients with and without a ≥50% improvement from baseline of leg pain at 3 months after injection were defined as responders and non-responders, respectively. Clinical features and radiological findings were compared between these groups.

Results: Of the 42 patients, 32 (76.2%) were responders and 10 (23.8%) were non-responders. Of 8 patients with a history of discectomy at the same level as LDH, 6 (75.0%) were responders. Non-responders had a significantly longer time from onset to treatment, smaller herniated volume before treatment, lower percentage reduction of herniated mass, and less intervertebral disc degeneration before treatment. There were no significant differences in LDH types (subligamentous extrusion or transligamentous extrusion types), high-intensity area within the herniation, changes in disc height, and region of condoliase injection between the two groups.

Conclusions: Intradiscal condoliase injection had a good short-term therapeutic effect in patients with LDH, including in transligamentous extrusion-type and revision cases as well as subligamentous extrusion-type cases. Administration of intradiscal condoliase injection may be most effective in patients with a larger herniated mass volume before treatment, and least effective in cases with a longer time and less intervertebral disc degeneration before treatment 14).


A total of 82 and 81 patients received an injection of condoliase and placebo, respectively. The average changes in worst leg pain from baseline to week 13 (primary endpoint) were -49.5 mm in the condoliase group and -34.3 mm in the placebo group, and the difference of -15.2 mm was significant (95% confidence interval, -24.2 to -6.2; P = 0.001). Significant improvements were observed in the condoliase groups, compared with the placebo group, in most secondary endpoints at 1 year after administration. In the condoliase group, back pain, Modic type 1 change, and decrease in disc height were frequently reported, without any clinically relevant consequences.

Conclusion: Condoliase significantly improved symptoms in patients with LDH and was well tolerated. Condoliase is a novel and potent chemonucleolytic drug for the treatment of LDH 15).

It has been available for painful lumbar disc herniation since 2018 in Japan.

A 25-year-old man with a history of LDH in L4/5, who underwent transforaminal full endoscopic lumbar discectomy when he was 17 years old, complained of severe pain radiating to his left leg for 1 month. The straight leg-raising test was limited to 25° on the left side. Lumbar T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed intracanal, left-sided transligamentous disc herniation at L4/5 with high-signal intensity. Because the conservative treatment with oral analgesics and selective left L5 nerve root block failed, the patient requested intradiscal condoliase injection instead of revision surgery. There were no adverse events reported after the condoliase treatment, and the pain radiating to the left leg improved within 2 weeks. A lumbar MRI performed 2 months after treatment revealed that the disc herniation had significantly decreased in size. The straight leg-raising test examined 3 months after treatment was negative. In this case, the disc herniation was of the transligamentous type and showed a high-signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI which could be suitably treated by condoliase injection therapy. This case report is the first to suggest that intradiscal condoliase injection could be a useful and novel conservative treatment option to treat postoperative rec-LDH 16).


1)

Matsuyama Y, Chiba K. Condoliase for treatment of lumbar disc herniation. Drugs Today (Barc). 2019 Jan;55(1):17-23. doi: 10.1358/dot.2019.55.1.2899445. PMID: 30740609.
2)

Takaki S, Miyama H, Iwasaki M. Cost-effectiveness analysis of intradiscal condoliase injection vs. surgical or conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation. J Med Econ. 2023 Jan-Dec;26(1):233-242. doi: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2173465. PMID: 36794375.
3)

Matsuyama Y, Chiba K, Iwata H, Seo T, Toyama Y. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, dose-finding study of condoliase in patients with lumbar disc herniation. J Neurosurg Spine. 2018 May;28(5):499-511. doi: 10.3171/2017.7.SPINE161327. Epub 2018 Feb 9. PMID: 29424676.
4)

Ohtonari T, Torii R, Noguchi S, Kitagawa T, Nishihara N. Short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for painful lumbar disc herniation and analysis regarding intradiscal injection area. Neurosurg Rev. 2023 Feb 23;46(1):59. doi: 10.1007/s10143-023-01966-w. PMID: 36813932.
5)

Takeuchi S, Hanakita J, Takahashi T, Inoue T, Minami M, Suda I, Nakamura S, Kanematsu R. Predictive Factors for Poor Outcome following Chemonucleolysis with Condoliase in Lumbar Disc Herniation. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Dec 18;58(12):1868. doi: 10.3390/medicina58121868. PMID: 36557070; PMCID: PMC9781337.
6)

Banno T, Hasegawa T, Yamato Y, Yoshida G, Arima H, Oe S, Ide K, Yamada T, Kurosu K, Nakai K, Matsuyama Y. Condoliase therapy for lumbar disc herniation -2 year clinical outcome. J Orthop Sci. 2022 Nov 21:S0949-2658(22)00317-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2022.11.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36424250.
7)

Oshita Y, Matsuyama D, Sakai D, Schol J, Shirasawa E, Emori H, Segami K, Takahashi S, Yagura K, Miyagi M, Saito W, Imura T, Nakazawa T, Inoue G, Hiyama A, Katoh H, Akazawa T, Kanzaki K, Sato M, Takaso M, Watanabe M. Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 15;58(9):1284. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091284. PMID: 36143959; PMCID: PMC9501482.
8)

Kobayashi K, Sato K, Ando T. Factors associated with disc degeneration based on Pfirrmann criteria after condoliase treatment for lumbar disc herniation. J Orthop Sci. 2022 Aug 24:S0949-2658(22)00230-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2022.08.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36030156.
9)

Okada E, Suzuki S, Nori S, Tsuji O, Nagoshi N, Yagi M, Fujita N, Nakamura M, Matsumoto M, Watanabe K. The effectiveness of chemonucleolysis with condoliase for treatment of painful lumbar disc herniation. J Orthop Sci. 2021 Jul;26(4):548-554. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2020.06.004. Epub 2020 Jul 23. PMID: 32713796.
10)

Banno T, Hasegawa T, Yamato Y, Yoshida G, Yasuda T, Arima H, Oe S, Ushirozako H, Yamada T, Ide K, Watanabe Y, Matsuyama Y. Clinical outcome of condoliase injection treatment for lumbar disc herniation: Indications for condoliase therapy. J Orthop Sci. 2021 Jan;26(1):79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jos.2020.02.002. Epub 2020 Feb 25. PMID: 32111547.
11)

Hirai T, Takahashi T, Tanaka T, Motoyoshi T, Matsukura Y, Yuasa M, Inose H, Yoshii T, Okawa A. Intradiscal Injection with Condoliase (Chondroitin Sulfate ABC Endolyase) for Painful Radiculopathy Caused by Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2021 Oct 11;6(3):252-260. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2021-0151. PMID: 35800623; PMCID: PMC9200423.
12)

Inoue M, Sainoh T, Kojima A, Yamagata M, Morinaga T, Mannoji C, Ataka H, Yamashita M, Takahashi H, Saito J, Fujiyoshi T, Ishikawa T, Eguchi Y, Kato K, Orita S, Inage K, Shiga Y, Norimoto M, Umimura T, Shiko Y, Kawasaki Y, Aoki Y, Ohtori S. Efficacy and Safety of Condoliase Disc Administration as a New Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2021 Jun 11;6(1):31-37. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2021-0035. PMID: 35224244; PMCID: PMC8842352.
13)

Ishibashi K, Fujita M, Takano Y, Iwai H, Inanami H, Koga H. Chemonucleolysis with Chondroitin Sulfate ABC Endolyase for Treating Lumbar Disc Herniation: Exploration of Prognostic Factors for Good or Poor Clinical Outcomes. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Nov 19;56(11):627. doi: 10.3390/medicina56110627. PMID: 33228119; PMCID: PMC7699387.
14)

Nakajima H, Kubota A, Maezawa Y, Watanabe S, Honjoh K, Ohmori H, Matsumine A. Short-Term Outcome and Predictors of Therapeutic Effects of Intradiscal Condoliase Injection for Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation. Spine Surg Relat Res. 2020 Nov 20;5(4):264-271. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2020-0126. PMID: 34435150; PMCID: PMC8356240.
15)

Chiba K, Matsuyama Y, Seo T, Toyama Y. Condoliase for the Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2018 Aug 1;43(15):E869-E876. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002528. PMID: 29257028.
16)

Funayama T, Setojima Y, Shibao Y, Noguchi H, Miura K, Eto F, Sato K, Kono M, Asada T, Takahashi H, Tatsumura M, Koda M, Yamazaki M. A Case of Postoperative Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation Conservatively Treated with Novel Intradiscal Condoliase Injection. Case Rep Orthop. 2022 Feb 15;2022:3656753. doi: 10.1155/2022/3656753. PMID: 35211348; PMCID: PMC8863464.

Delirium Diagnosis

Delirium Diagnosis


Unlike dementiadelirium has an acute onset, motor signs (tremormyoclonusasterixis), slurred speech, altered consciousness (hyperalert/agitated or lethargic, or fluctuations), hallucinations may be florid.

Consultation-liaison psychiatry could improve the recognition rate of postoperative delirium in elderly patients, and shorten hospitalization time. The training of mental health knowledge for non-psychiatrists could improve the ability of early identify and treatment of delirium 1).


It is a corollary of the criteria that a diagnosis of delirium usually cannot be made without a previous assessment, or knowledge, of the affected person’s baseline level of cognitive function. In other words, a mentally disabled person who is suffering from this will be operating at their own baseline level of mental ability and would be expected to appear delirious without a baseline mental functional status against which to compare.

Early detection is crucial because the longer a patient experiences delirium the worse it becomes and the harder it is to treat. Currently, identification is through intermittent clinical assessment using standardized tools, like the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. Such tools work well in clinical research but do not translate well into clinical practice because they are subjective, intermittent, and have low sensitivity. As such, healthcare providers using these tools fail to recognize delirium symptoms as much as 80% of the time.

EEG shows pronounced diffuse slowing.

Delirium-related biochemical derangement leads to electrical changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns followed by behavioral signs and symptoms. However, continuous EEG monitoring is not feasible due to the cost and the need for skilled interpretation. Studies using limited-lead EEG show large differences between patients with and without delirium while discriminating delirium from other causes. The Ceribell is a limited-lead device that analyzes EEG. If it is capable of detecting delirium, it would provide an objective physiological monitor to identify delirium before symptom onset. This pilot study was designed to explore relationships between Ceribell and delirium status. Completion of this study will provide a foundation for further research regarding delirium status using the Ceribell data 2).


Hut SC, Dijkstra-Kersten SM, Numan T, Henriquez NR, Teunissen NW, van den Boogaard M, Leijten FS, Slooter AJ. EEG and clinical assessment in delirium and acute encephalopathy. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2021 May 16. doi: 10.1111/pcn.13225. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33993579.


Early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) elevation may also predict delayed-onset delirium, potentially implicating systemic inflammation as a contributory delirium mechanism 3).

Older age, headache, coagulopathy, decreased level of consciousness, seizures, and history of falls. Conversely, infection was associated with a reduced yield.

In higher-risk patients and settings, there should be a push toward earlier neuroimaging as indicated by clinical examinations and individual risk factors. In the meta-analysis, the yield of head CT was higher in ICU patients and those who had focal neurological deficits in addition to altered mental status and was especially high in neuro ICU settings 4)

Neuroimaging should not replace a clinical exam, even in ICU settings; ICU patients should have their sedation reduced to properly test for delirium 5).

Delirium has a complex and fluctuating course with underlying causes that are often multifactorial; identifying a CNS lesion does not necessarily exclude other causes, and vice-versa 6).

The risks of neuroimaging need to be considered in the decision-making process 7).

The use of CT head to diagnose the etiology of delirium and AMS varied widely and yield has declined. Guidelines and clinical decision support tools could increase the appropriate use of CT head in the diagnostic etiology of delirium/AMS 8).


1)

Xie Q, Liu XB, Jing GW, Jiang X, Liu H, Zhong BL, Li Y. The Effect of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry on Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients in the General Hospital. Orthop Surg. 2023 Jan 3. doi: 10.1111/os.13501. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36597675.
2)

Mulkey MA, Hardin SR, Munro CL, Everhart DE, Kim S, Schoemann AM, Olson DM. Methods of identifying delirium: A research protocol. Res Nurs Health. 2019 May 30. doi: 10.1002/nur.21953. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31148216.
3)

Reznik ME, Kalagara R, Moody S, Drake J, Margolis SA, Cizginer S, Mahta A, Rao SS, Stretz C, Wendell LC, Thompson BB, Asaad WF, Furie KL, Jones RN, Daiello LA. Common biomarkers of physiologic stress and associations with delirium in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. J Crit Care. 2021 Mar 23;64:62-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2021.03.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33794468.
4)

MadsenTE, KhouryJ, Cadena R, et al. Potentially missed diagnosis of ischemic stroke in the Emergency Department in the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky stroke study.Acad Emerg Med. 2016;23(10):1128-1135. doi:10.1111/acem.13029
5)

Venkat A, Cappelen-Smith C, Askar S, et al. Factors associated with stroke misdiagnosis in the emergency department: a retrospective case-control study. Neuroepidemiology. 2018;51(3–4):123-127. doi:10.1159/000491635
6)

The 2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria®UpdateExpert Panel. American Geriatrics Society 2019 updated AGSbeers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019;67(4):674-694. doi:10.1111/jgs.15767
7)

Reznik ME, Rudolph JL. “Yield” to the time-brain dilemma: The case for neuroimaging in delirium. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2023 Jan 6. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18206. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36606371.
8)

Akhtar H, Chaudhry SH, Bortolussi-Courval É, Hanula R, Akhtar A, Nauche B, McDonald EG. Diagnostic yield of CT head in delirium and altered mental status-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2022 Nov 26. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18134. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36434820.

Linezolid in Neurosurgery

Linezolid in Neurosurgery

Relevant studies were identified through searches of the PubMed, Current Contents, and Cochrane databases (publications archived until October 2006).

Case reports, case series, prospective and retrospective studies, and randomized controlled trials were eligible for inclusion in our review if they evaluated the effectiveness and safety of linezolid for the treatment of patients with CNS infections.

In 18 (42.9%) of the 42 relevant cases identified, patients had undergone neurosurgical operations and/or had prosthetic devices. Meningitis was the most common CNS infection, accounting for 20 (47.6%) cases. Other CNS infections included brain abscesses (14; 33.3%), ventriculitis (5; 11.9%), and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt infection (3; 7.1%). In the 39 patients in whom the responsible pathogen was isolated, those predominantly responsible for the CNS infections were: penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (7; 17.9%), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (6; 15.4%), Nocardia spp. (5; 12.8%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (4; 10.3%), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (3; 7.7%). Of the 42 patients who received linezolid for the treatment of CNS infections, 38 (90.5%) were either cured or showed clinical improvement of the infection. The mean duration of follow-up was 7.2 months; no recurrent CNS infection was reported.

The limited published data suggest that linezolid may be considered for the treatment of patients with CNS infections in cases of failure of previously administered treatment or limited available options 2).

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SAT with oral linezolid in patients with NSI and to analyse the cost implications, an observational, non-comparative, prospective cohort study was conducted on clinically stable consecutive adult patients at the Neurosurgical Service. Following intravenous treatment, patients were discharged with SAT with oral linezolid.

A total of 77 patients were included. The most common NSIs were: 41 surgical wound infections, 20 subdural empyemas, 18 epidural abscesses, and 16 brain abscesses. Forty-four percent of patients presented two or more concomitant NSIs. Aetiological agents commonly isolated were: Propionibacterium acnes (36 %), Staphylococcus aureus (23 %), Staphylococcus epidermidis (21 %) and Streptococcus spp. (13 %). The median duration of the SAT was 15 days (range, 3-42). The SAT was interrupted in five cases due to adverse events. The remainder of the patients were cured at the end of the SAT. A total of 1,163 days of hospitalisation were saved. An overall cost reduction of €516,188 was attributed to the SAT. Eight patients with device infections did not require removal of the device, with an additional cost reduction of €190,595. The mean cost saving per patient was €9,179.

SAT with linezolid was safe and effective for the treatment of NSI. SAT reduces hospitalisation times, which means significant savings of health and economic resources 3).


Seventeen patients were included in the study. The main comorbidities among these patients included one or more of the following: subarachnoidal or intraventricular hemorrhage (n=8), solid neurological cancer (n=7), corticosteroids(n=9), and hydrocephalus (n=6). Eight patients underwent a craniotomy and fourteen patients had external ventricular drainage (EVD) as a predisposing factor for infection. Meningitis was the most common infection (11; 64.7%), followed by ventriculitis (4; 23.5%) and brain abscesses (2;11.8%). The main causative organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. (13; 76.5%). Linezolid was used as the initial therapy in 8 episodes, after therapy failure in 6, and for other reasons in 3. The oral route was used in 9 (52.9%) episodes; linezolid was initiated orally in 2 cases. The mean duration of treatment was 26.5 days (range 15-58). No adverse events were reported. Sixteen (94.1%) patients were considered cured. There was one recurrence. The mean length of hospital stay was 45.6 (range 15-112) days and the mean duration of follow-up was 7.2 (range 0.4-32) months. No related deaths occurred during active episodes.

Linezolid was mainly indicated in post-neurosurgical EVD-associated infections due to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. It was used as initial therapy in most cases. A high rate of clinical cure was observed and no related adverse events were reported. More than half of the patients benefited from the advantages of the oral route of administration 4).


In order to study the penetration of this antimicrobial into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of such patients, the disposition of linezolid in serum and CSF was studied in 14 neurosurgical patients given linezolid at 600 mg twice daily (1-h intravenous infusion) for the treatment of CNS infections caused by gram-positive pathogens or for prophylactic chemotherapy. Serum and CSF linezolid steady-state concentrations were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and the concentration-time profiles obtained were analyzed to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean +/- standard deviation (SD) linezolid maximum and minimum measured concentrations were 18.6 +/- 9.6 microg/ml and 5.6 +/- 5.0 microg/ml, respectively, in serum and 10.8 +/- 5.7 microg/ml and 6.1 +/- 4.2 microg/ml, respectively, in CSF. The mean +/- SD areas under the concentration-time curves (AUCs) were 128.7 +/- 83.9 microg x h/ml for serum and 101.6 +/- 59.6 microg x h/ml for CSF, with a mean penetration ratio for the AUC for CSF to the AUC for serum of 0.66. The mean elimination half-life of linezolid in CSF was longer than that in serum (19.1 +/- 19.0 h and 6.5 +/- 3.6 h, respectively). The serum and CSF linezolid concentrations exceeded the pharmacodynamic breakpoint of 4 microg/ml for susceptible target pathogens for the entire dosing interval in the majority of patients. These findings suggest that linezolid may achieve adequate concentrations in the CSF of patients requiring antibiotics for the management or prophylaxis of CNS infections caused by gram-positive pathogens 5).


1)

Jahoda D, Nyc O, Pokorný D, Landor I, Sosna A. [Linezolid in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant gram-positive infections of the musculoskeletal system]. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2006 Oct;73(5):329-33. Czech. PubMed PMID: 17140514.
2)

Ntziora F, Falagas ME. Linezolid for the treatment of patients with central nervous system infection. Ann Pharmacother. 2007 Feb;41(2):296-308. Epub 2007 Feb 6. Review. PubMed PMID: 17284501.
3)

Martín-Gandul C, Mayorga-Buiza MJ, Castillo-Ojeda E, Gómez-Gómez MJ, Rivero-Garvía M, Gil-Navarro MV, Márquez-Rivas FJ, Jiménez-Mejías ME. Sequential antimicrobial treatment with linezolid for neurosurgical infections: efficacy, safety and cost study. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2016 Oct;158(10):1837-43. doi: 10.1007/s00701-016-2915-0. Epub 2016 Aug 13. PubMed PMID: 27520361.
4)

Sousa D, Llinares P, Meijide H, Gutiérrez JM, Miguez E, Sánchez E, Castelo L, Mena A. Clinical experience with linezolid for the treatment of neurosurgical infections. Rev Esp Quimioter. 2011 Mar;24(1):42-7. PMID: 21412669.
5)

Myrianthefs P, Markantonis SL, Vlachos K, Anagnostaki M, Boutzouka E, Panidis D, Baltopoulos G. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of linezolid in neurosurgical patients. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Dec;50(12):3971-6. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00051-06. Epub 2006 Sep 18. PMID: 16982782; PMCID: PMC1694012.

Somatostatin analogs in meningioma

Somatostatin analogs in meningioma

Meningiomas are associated with several sex hormones-related risk factors and demonstrate a predominance in females. These associations led to investigations of the role that hormones may have on meningioma growth and development. While it is now accepted that most meningiomas express progesterone and somatostatin receptors, the conclusion for other receptors has been less definitive.

Miyagishima et al. performed a review of what is known regarding the relationship between hormones and meningiomas in the published literature. Furthermore, they reviewed clinical trials related to hormonal agents in meningiomas using MEDLINE PubMedScopus, and the NIH clinical trials database.

They identified that all steroid-hormone trials lacked receptor identification or positive receptor status in the majority of patients. In contrast, four out of five studies involving somatostatin analogs used positive receptor status as part of the inclusion criteria.

Several clinical trials have recently been completed or are now underway using somatostatin analogs in combination with other therapies that appear promising, but a reevaluation of hormone-based monotherapy is warranted. Synthesizing this evidence, they clarified the remaining questions and present future directions for the study of the biological role and therapeutic potential of hormones in meningioma and discuss how the stratification of patients using features such as grade, receptor status, and somatic mutations, might be used for future trials to select patients most likely to benefit from specific therapies 1)


Jensen et al. performed an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. Main outcomes were toxicity, best radiological response, progression-free survival, and overall survival. They applied multivariable logistic regression models to estimate the effect of SSA on the probability of obtaining radiological disease control. The predictive performance was evaluated using area under the curve and Brier scores. They included 16 studies and compiled IPD from 8/9 of all previous cohorts. Quality of evidence was overall ranked “very low.” Stable disease was reported in 58% of patients as best radiological response. Per 100 mg increase in total SSA dosage, the odds ratios for obtaining radiological disease control was 1.42 (1.11 to 1.81, P = 0.005) and 1.44 (1.00 to 2.08, P = 0.05) for patients treated with SSA as monodrug therapy vs SSA in combination with everolimus, respectively. Low quality of evidence impeded exact quantification of treatment efficacy, and the association between response and treatment may represent reverse causality. Yet, the SSA treatment was well tolerated, and beneficial effect cannot be disqualified. A prospective trial without bias from inconsistency in study designs is warranted to assess somatostatin analog therapy for well-defined meningioma subgroups 2).

Between January 1996 and December 2010, 13 patients harboring a progressive residual meningioma (as indicated by MR imaging criteria) following operative therapy were treated with a monthly injection of the SST analog octreotide (Sandostatin LAR [long-acting repeatable] 30 mg, Novartis). Eight of 13 patients had a meningioma of the skull base and were analyzed in the present study. Postoperative tumor enlargement was documented in all patients on MR images obtained before the initiation of SST therapy. All tumors were benign. No patient received radiation or chemotherapy before treatment with SST. The growth of residual tumor was monitored by MR imaging every 12 months.

Results: Three of the 8 patients had undergone surgical treatment once; 3, 2 times; and 2, 3 times. The mean time after the last meningioma operation (before starting SST treatment) and tumor enlargement as indicated by MR imaging criteria was 24 months. A total of 643 monthly cycles of Sandostatin LAR were administered. Five of the 8 patients were on SST continuously and stabilized disease was documented on MR images obtained in these patients during treatment (median 115 months, range 48-180 months). Three of the 8 patients interrupted treatment: after 60 months in 1 case because of tumor progression, after 36 months in 1 case because of side effects, and after 36 months in 1 case because the health insurance company denied cost absorption.

Conclusions: Although no case of tumor regression was detected on MR imaging, the study results indicated that SST analogs can arrest the progression of unresectable or recurrent benign meningiomas of the skull base in some patients. It remains to be determined whether a controlled prospective clinical trial would be useful 3).


1)

Miyagishima DF, Moliterno J, Claus E, Günel M. Hormone therapies in meningioma-where are we? J Neurooncol. 2022 Nov 23. doi: 10.1007/s11060-022-04187-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36418843.
2)

Jensen LR, Maier AD, Lomstein A, Graillon T, Hrachova M, Bota D, Ruiz-Patiño A, Arrieta O, Cardona AF, Rudà R, Furtner J, Roeckle U, Clement P, Preusser M, Scheie D, Broholm H, Kristensen BW, Skjøth-Rasmussen J, Ziebell M, Munch TN, Fugleholm K, Walter MA, Mathiesen T, Mirian C. Somatostatin analogues in treatment-refractory meningioma: a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual patient data. Neurosurg Rev. 2022 Oct;45(5):3067-3081. doi: 10.1007/s10143-022-01849-6. Epub 2022 Aug 19. PMID: 35984552.
3)

Schulz C, Mathieu R, Kunz U, Mauer UM. Treatment of unresectable skull base meningiomas with somatostatin analogs. Neurosurg Focus. 2011 May;30(5):E11. doi: 10.3171/2011.1.FOCUS111. PMID: 21529167.

Glioblastoma recurrence treatment

Glioblastoma recurrence treatment

There is no consensus as to the standard of care as no therapeutic options have produced substantial survival benefit for Glioblastoma recurrences (Glioblastomas) 1) 2).

A purely radiological diagnosis of recurrence or progression can be hampered by flaws induced by pseudoprogressionpseudoresponse, or radionecrosis

There is sufficient uncertainty and equipoise regarding the question of reoperation for patients with Glioblastoma recurrence to support the need for a randomized controlled trial 3).


Based on parameters like localization and tumor volume, patient’s Karnofsky Performance Score, time from initial diagnosis, and availability of alternative salvage therapies, reoperation can be considered as a treatment option to extend the overall survival and quality of life of the patient.

The achieved extent of resection of the relapsed tumor—especially with the intention of having a safe, complete resection of the enhancing tumor—most likely plays a crucial role in the ultimate outcome and prognosis of the patient, regardless of other modes of treatment. Validated scores to predict the prognosis after reoperation of a patient with a Glioblastoma recurrence can help to select suitable candidates for surgery. Safety issues and complication avoidance are pivotal to maximally preserving the patient’s quality of life. Besides a possible direct oncological effect, resampling of the recurrent tumor with detailed pathological and molecular analysis might have an impact on the development, testing, and validation of new salvage therapies 4).

Options include repeat surgical resection, repeat fractionated radiation, radiosurgery.

Bevacizumab (BEV) plus daily temozolomide (TMZ) as a salvage therapy has been recommended for recurrent glioma.


In a study, Hundsberger et al investigated which treatments are currently being used for recurrent Glioblastoma within a single nation (Switzerland) and how clinicians are deciding to use them 5)

The authors surveyed Swiss hospitals with comprehensive multidisciplinary neuro-oncology practices (neurosurgery, radiation therapy, medical neuro-oncology, and a dedicated neuro-oncology tumor board) about treatment recommendations for recurrent Glioblastoma. They identified relevant clinical decision-making criteria, called diagnostic nodes or “dodes,” and compared treatment recommendations using a decision-tree format.

Eight hospitals participated. The most common treatment options for recurrent Glioblastoma were combination repeat surgical resection with temozolomide or bevacizumab, monotherapy temozolomide or bevacizumab, and best supportive care. Alternative therapies, including radiotherapy, were less common. Despite widespread disagreement between centers in clinical decision-making, the decision-tree analysis found agreement (>63%) between most centers for only 4 specific clinical scenarios. Patients without an appropriate performance status were usually managed with the best supportive care. Patients with rapid recurrence, nonresectable tumors, unmethylated O(6)-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter, and high-performance status were usually managed with bevacizumab. Patients with late recurrence, nonresectable tumors, overt clinical symptoms, methylated MGMT promoter, multifocal disease, and high-performance status were usually managed with repeat temozolomide therapy. Patients with late recurrence, nonresectable tumors, no clinical symptoms, methylated MGMT promoter, tumor multifocality, and high-performance status were usually managed with temozolomide. The findings of this study underscore the lack of effective first- and second-line treatments for Glioblastoma, and the interhospital variability in practice patterns is not surprising. It seems likely that similar heterogeneity would also be noted in a study of American neuro-oncology centers. It is interesting to note that despite the availability of an increasing number of molecular markers for Glioblastoma stratification, MGMT promoter methylation appears to be the only biological marker widely used across multiple centers in this study. It remains to be seen when and how broadly other markers such as the epidermal growth factor receptor variant III or isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations will be adopted for clinical decision-making. The authors are to be congratulated for identifying core clinical decision-making criteria that may be useful in future studies of recurrent Glioblastoma. This decision tree is an excellent reference for clinical trial development, and several active clinical trials already target the dudes identified in this study. Subsequent studies may help to determine whether similar decision trees exist in American neuro-oncologic centers now or will exist in the future 6).

Figure. A through F, clinical decision-making tree for Glioblastoma recurrence multiforme (Glioblastoma) based on clinical scenarios that achieved a majority recommendation (ie, at least 5 of 8 Swiss hospitals). BEV, bevacizumab; BSC, best supportive care; rGlioblastoma, Glioblastoma recurrence multiforme; TMZ, temozolomide. Modified with kind permission from Springer Science+Business Media: Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Patterns of care in Glioblastoma recurrence in Switzerland: a multicenter national approach based on diagnostic nodes (published online ahead of print October 12. 2015), Hundsberger T, Hottinger AF, Roelcke U, et al [doi: 10.1007/s11060-015-1957-0. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11060-015-1957-0 ].

Temozolomide rechallenge is a treatment option for MGMT promoter-methylated Glioblastoma recurrence. Alternative strategies need to be considered for patients with progressive glioblastoma without MGMT promoter methylation 7).

Intrarterial chemotherapy is a viable methodology in recurrent Glioblastoma patients to prolong survival at the risk of procedure-related complications and in newly diagnosed patients with the benefit of decreased complications 8).

Low-dose fractionated radiotherapy LD-FRT and chemotherapy for recurrent/progressive Glioblastoma have a good toxicity profile and clinical outcomes, even though further investigation of this novel palliative treatment approach is warranted 9).

Second surgery plus carmustine wafers followed by intravenous fotemustine in twenty-four patients were analyzed. The median age was 53.6; all patients had KPS between 90 and 100; 19 patients (79%) performed a gross total resection > 98% and 5 (21%) a gross total resection > 90%. The median progression-free survival from second surgery was 6 months (95% CI 3.9-8.05) and the median OS was 14 months (95% CI 11.1-16.8 months). Toxicity was predominantly haematological: 5 patients (21%) experienced grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia and 3 patients (12%) grade 3-4 leukopenia.

This multimodal strategy may be feasible in patients with Glioblastoma recurrence, in particular, for patients in good clinical conditions 10).

The HSPPC-96 vaccine is safe and warrants further study of efficacy for the treatment of recurrent Glioblastoma. Significant pretreatment lymphopenia may impact the outcomes of immunotherapy and deserves additional investigation 11).

see Laser interstitial thermotherapy.

Galldiks et al monitored the metabolic effects of stereotaxy-guided LITT in a patient with a recurrent Glioblastoma using amino acid positron emission tomography (PET). Serial 11C-methyl-L-methionine positron emission tomography (MET-PET) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) were performed using a hybrid PET/CT system in a patient with recurrent Glioblastoma before and after LITT. To monitor the biologic activity of the effects of stereotaxy-guided LITT, a threshold-based volume of interest analysis of the metabolically active tumor volume (MET uptake index of ≥ 1.3) was performed. A continuous decline in metabolically active tumor volume after LITT could be observed. MET-PET seems to be useful for monitoring the short-term therapeutic effects of LITT, especially when patients have been pretreated with a multistep therapeutic regimen. MET-PET seems to be an appropriate tool to monitor and guide experimental LITT regimens and should be studied in a larger patient group to confirm its clinical value 12).

Adjuvant lomustine to other chemotherapy may provide no obvious benefits for the glioblastoma recurrence treatment 13).

A more favorable prognosis following surgery for recurrence or progression is associated with younger age, smaller tumor volume (~50%), motor speech-middle cerebral artery scoring and preoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) >80% 14) 15).

Optimal treatment for recurrent High-grade glioma continues to evolve. Currently, however, there is no consensus in the literature on the role of reoperation in the management of these patients.

An analysis, of reoperation in patients with World Health Organization grade III or IV recurrent gliomas, focusing on how reoperation affects outcome, perioperative complications, and quality of life. An extensive literature review was performed through the use of the PubMed and Ovid Medline databases for January 1980 through August 2013. A total 31 studies were included in the final analysis. Of the 31 studies with significant data from single or multiple institutions, 29 demonstrated a survival benefit or improved functional status after reoperation for recurrent high-grade glioma. Indications for reoperation included new focal neurological deficits, tumor mass effect, signs of elevated intracranial pressure, headaches, increased seizure frequency, and radiographic evidence of tumor progression. Age was not a contraindication to reoperation. Time interval of at least 6 months between operations and favorable performance status (Karnofsky Performance Status score ≥70) were important predictors of benefit from reoperation. Extent of resection at reoperation improved survival, even in patients with subtotal resection at initial operation. Careful patient selection such as avoiding those individuals with poor performance status and bevacizumab within 4 weeks of surgery is important. Although limited to retrospective analysis and patient selection bias, mounting evidence suggests a survival benefit in patients receiving a reoperation at the time of high-grade glioma recurrence 16).

Twenty patients with recurrent glioma were treated with BEV (5-10 mg/kg, i.v. every 2 weeks) plus daily TMZ (daily, 50 mg/m2). The treatment response was evaluated via the RANO criteria. HRQL were measured using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire core 30 (QLQ-C30) and Brain Module (QLQ-BN20).

Twenty patients received a total of 85 cycles of BEV with a median number of 4 cycles (range: 2-10). No patients showed complete response (CR) to treatment. Twelve patients had partial response (PR), stable disease (SD) in 5 patients with, and 3 patients showed progressive disease (PD). In the functioning domains of QLQ-C30, physical functioning, cognitive functioning and emotional functioning significantly improved after the second cycle of BEV compared to baseline, with the mean score of 45.0 vs. 64.0 (p = 0.020), 55.8 vs. 71.7 (p = 0.020) and 48.3 vs. 67.5 (p = 0.015), respectively. In the symptom scales, the scores of pain and nausea/vomiting significantly decreased compared to baseline from the mean score of 39.1 to 20.0 (p = 0.020) and 29.2 to 16.7 (p = 0.049), respectively. Score of global health status also increased from 47.5 to 63.3 (p = 0.001). As determined with the QLQ-BN20, motor dysfunction (43.3 vs. 25.0, p = 0.021), weakness of legs (36.7 vs. 18.3, p = 0.049), headache (38.3 vs. 20.0, p = 0.040), and drowsiness (50.0 vs. 30.0, p = 0.026) after the second cycle of BEV also significantly improved compared to baseline.

BEV plus daily TMZ as a salvage therapy improved HRQL in patients with recurrent glioma 17).

Quick-Weller et al. performed tumour resections in seven patients with rGlioblastoma, combining 5-ALA (20 mg/kg bodyweight) with iMRI (0.15 T). Radiologically complete resections were intended in all seven patients.

They assessed intraoperative fluorescence findings and compared these with intraoperative imaging. All patients had early postoperative MRI (3 T) to verify final iMRI scans and received adjuvant treatment according to interdisciplinary tumour board decision.

Median patient age was 63 years. Median KPS score was 90, and median tumour volume was 8.2 cm(3). In six of seven patients (85%), 5-ALA induced fluorescence of tumour-tissue was detected intraoperatively. All tumours were good to visualise with iMRI and contrast media. One patient received additional resection of residual contrast enhancing tissue on intraoperative imaging, which did not show fluorescence. Radiologically complete resections according to early postoperative MRI were achieved in all patients. Median survival since second surgery was 7.6 months and overall survival since diagnosis was 27.8 months.

5-ALA and iMRI are important surgical tools to maximise tumour resection also in rGlioblastoma. However, not all rGlioblastomas exhibit fluorescence after 5-ALA administration. They propose the combined use of 5-ALA and iMRI in the surgery of rGlioblastoma 18).

In some case series reoperation extends survival by an additional 36 weeks in patients with glioblastoma, and 88 weeks in anaplastic astrocytoma 19) 20) (duration of high-quality survival was 10 weeks and 83 weeks, respectively, and was lower with pre-op Karnofsky score < 70). In addition to Karnofsky performance score, significant prognosticators for response to repeat surgery include: age and time from the first operation to reoperation (shorter times → worse prognosis) 21). Morbidity is higher with reoperation (5–18%); the infection rate is ≈ 3x that for first operation, wound dehiscence is more likely


1)

Weller M, Cloughesy T, Perry JR, Wick W. Standards of care for treatment of Glioblastoma recurrence–are we there yet? Neuro Oncol. 2013 Jan;15(1):4-27. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nos273. Epub 2012 Nov 7. Review. PubMed PMID: 23136223; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3534423.
2)

Lukas RV, Mrugala MM (2017) Pivotal trials for infiltrating gliomas and how they affect clinical practice. Neuro Oncol Pract 4:209–219
3)

Patel M, Au K, Davis FG, Easaw JC, Mehta V, Broad R, Chow MMC, Hockley A, Kaderali Z, Magro E, Nataraj A, Scholtes F, Chagnon M, Gevry G, Raymond J, Darsaut TE. Clinical Uncertainty and Equipoise in the Management of Glioblastoma recurrence. Am J Clin Oncol. 2021 Mar 29. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000000812. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33782334.
4)

Dejaegher J, De Vleeschouwer S. Recurring Glioblastoma: A Case for Reoperation? In: De Vleeschouwer S, editor. Glioblastoma [Internet]. Brisbane (AU): Codon Publications; 2017 Sep 27. Chapter 14. Available from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK469991/ PubMed PMID: 29251867.
5)

Hundsberger T, Hottinger AF, Roelcke U, et al.. Patterns of care in Glioblastoma recurrence in Switzerland: a multicentre national approach based on diagnostic nodes [published online ahead of print October 12, 2015]. J Neuro Oncol. doi: 10.1007/s11060-015-1957-0. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11060-015-1957-0.
6)

Zussman BM, Engh JA. Patterns of Care and Clinical Decision Making for Glioblastoma recurrence Multiforme. Neurosurgery. 2016 Feb;78(2):N12-4. doi: 10.1227/01.neu.0000479889.72124.20. PubMed PMID: 26779791.
7)

Weller M, Tabatabai G, Kästner B, Felsberg J, Steinbach JP, Wick A, Schnell O, Hau P, Herrlinger U, Sabel MC, Wirsching HG, Ketter R, Bähr O, Platten M, Tonn JC, Schlegel U, Marosi C, Goldbrunner R, Stupp R, Homicsko K, Pichler J, Nikkhah G, Meixensberger J, Vajkoczy P, Kollias S, Hüsing J, Reifenberger G, Wick W; DIRECTOR Study Group. MGMT Promoter Methylation Is a Strong Prognostic Biomarker for Benefit from Dose-Intensified Temozolomide Rechallenge in Progressive Glioblastoma: The DIRECTOR Trial. Clin Cancer Res. 2015 May 1;21(9):2057-64. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-2737. Epub 2015 Feb 5. PubMed PMID: 25655102.
8)

Theodotou C, Shah AH, Hayes S, Bregy A, Johnson JN, Aziz-Sultan MA, Komotar RJ. The role of intra-arterial chemotherapy as an adjuvant treatment for glioblastoma. Br J Neurosurg. 2014 Jan 16. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24432794.
9)

Balducci M, Diletto B, Chiesa S, D’Agostino GR, Gambacorta MA, Ferro M, Colosimo C, Maira G, Anile C, Valentini V. Low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy for recurrent or progressive glioblastoma : Final report of a pilot study. Strahlenther Onkol. 2014 Jan 17. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24429479.
10)

Lombardi G, Della Puppa A, Zustovich F, Pambuku A, Farina P, Fiduccia P, Roma A, Zagonel V. The combination of carmustine wafers and fotemustine in recurrent glioblastoma patients: a monoinstitutional experience. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:678191. doi: 10.1155/2014/678191. Epub 2014 Apr 9. PubMed PMID: 24812626.
11)

Bloch O, Crane CA, Fuks Y, Kaur R, Aghi MK, Berger MS, Butowski NA, Chang SM, Clarke JL, McDermott MW, Prados MD, Sloan AE, Bruce JN, Parsa AT. Heat-shock protein peptide complex-96 vaccination for Glioblastoma recurrence: a phase II, single-arm trial. Neuro Oncol. 2013 Dec 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24335700.
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Galldiks N, von Tempelhoff W, Kahraman D, Kracht LW, Vollmar S, Fink GR, Schroeter M, Goldbrunner R, Schmidt M, Maarouf M. 11C-methionine positron emission tomographic imaging of biologic activity of a Glioblastoma recurrence treated with stereotaxy-guided laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy. Mol Imaging. 2012 Jul-Aug;11(4):265-71. PubMed PMID: 22954142.
13)

Fu X, Shi D, Feng Y. The Efficacy and Safety of Adjuvant Lomustine to Chemotherapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;45(6):162-167. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0000000000000525. PMID: 36383914.
14)

Barbagallo GM, Jenkinson MD, Brodbelt AR. ‘Recurrent’ glioblastoma multiforme, when should we reoperate? Br J Neurosurg. 2008 Jun;22(3):452-5. doi: 10.1080/02688690802182256. Review. PubMed PMID: 18568742.
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Park JK, Hodges T, Arko L, Shen M, Dello Iacono D, McNabb A, Olsen Bailey N, Kreisl TN, Iwamoto FM, Sul J, Auh S, Park GE, Fine HA, Black PM. Scale to predict survival after surgery for Glioblastoma recurrence multiforme. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Aug 20;28(24):3838-43. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.30.0582. Epub 2010 Jul 19. PubMed PMID: 20644085; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2940401.
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Hervey-Jumper SL, Berger MS. Reoperation for recurrent high-grade glioma: a current perspective of the literature. Neurosurgery. 2014 Nov;75(5):491-9; discussion 498-9. doi: 10.1227/NEU.0000000000000486. PubMed PMID: 24991712.
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Liu Y, Feng F, Ji P, Liu B, Ge S, Yang C, Lou M, Liu J, Li B, Gao G, Qu Y, Wang L. Improvement of health related quality of life in patients with recurrent glioma treated with bevacizumab plus daily temozolomide as the salvage therapy. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2018 Mar 27;169:64-70. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2018.03.026. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 29631109.
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Quick-Weller J, Lescher S, Forster MT, Konczalla J, Seifert V, Senft C. Combination of 5-ALA and iMRI in re-resection of Glioblastoma recurrence. Br J Neurosurg. 2016 Jun;30(3):313-7. doi: 10.3109/02688697.2015.1119242. Epub 2016 Jan 8. PubMed PMID: 26743016.
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Harsh GR, Levin VA, Gutin PH, et al. Reoperation for Glioblastoma recurrence and Anaplastic Astrocytoma. Neurosurgery. 1987; 21:615–621
20)

Ammirati M, Galicich JH, Arbit E, et al. Reoperation in the Treatment of Recurrent Intracranial Malignant Gliomas. Neurosurgery. 1987; 21:607–614
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Brem H, Piantadosi S, Burger PC, et al. Placebo- Controlled Trial of Safety and Efficacy of Intraoperative Controlled Delivery by Biodegradable Polymers of Chemotherapy for Recurrent Gliomas. Lancet. 1995; 345:1008–1012

Temozolomide adverse effects

Temozolomide adverse effects

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Amnesia

black, tarry stools

blood in the urine or stools

convulsions

cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

lower back or side pain

muscle weakness or paralysis on one or both sides of the body

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on the skin

swelling of the feet or lower legs

unusual bleeding or bruising

Abdominal or stomach pain or tenderness

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chest pain

clay colored stools

cough

decreased appetite

diarrhea

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

headache

hives, itching, or skin rash

joint or muscle pain

nausea or vomiting

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

sneezing

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing

unusual tiredness or weakness

yellow skin or eyes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your healthcare professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Constipation

Anxiety

blurred or double vision

breast pain (in females)

burning or prickling feeling on the skin

confusion

diarrhea

difficulty with speaking

drowsiness

increased urge to urinate

loss of appetite

loss of muscle coordination

mental depression

runny or stuffy nose

trouble sleeping

unusual weight gain

The most common side effect is bone marrow suppression.

The most common non-hematological adverse effects associated with temozolomide are nausea and vomiting, which are either self-limiting or readily controlled with standard antiemetic therapy. These latter effects are usually mild to moderate (grade 1 to 2). The incidence of severe nausea and vomiting is around 4% each. Patients who have pre-existing or a history of severe vomiting may require antiemetic therapy before initiating temozolomide treatment. Temozolomide should be administered in the fasting state, at least one hour before a meal. Antiemetic therapy may be administered before, or following, administration of temozolomide.

Temozolomide is genotoxicteratogenic and fetotoxic and should not be used during pregnancy. Lactating women should discontinue nursing while receiving the drug because of the risk of secretion into breast milk. One study indicated that women that have taken temozolomide without concomitant fertility preservation measures achieve pregnancy at a lesser rate later in life, but the study was too small to show statistical significance in the hypothesis that temozolomide would confer a risk of female infertility 1). In male patients, temozolomide can have genotoxic effects. Men are advised not to father a child during or up to six months after treatment and to seek advice on cryoconservation of sperm prior to treatment, because of the possibility of irreversible infertility due to temozolomide therapy.

In male patients, temozolomide can have genotoxic effects. Men are advised not to father a child during or up to six months after treatment and to seek advice on cryoconservation of sperm prior to treatment, because of the possibility of irreversible infertility due to temozolomide therapy.

There are minimal reports of temozolomide-induced DRESS syndrome. The diagnosis can be life-threatening, which makes the glioblastoma treatment with no alternative treatment option challenging. The use of de-sensitization therapy to temozolomide has been proposed for the management of severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction2).


Mehta et al reported a Temozolomide-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome 3).

Temozolomide Hepatotoxicity.


1)

Sitbon Sitruk L, Sanson M, Prades M, Lefebvre G, Schubert B, Poirot C (November 2010). “Chimiothérapie à gonadotoxicité inconnue et préservation de la fertilité: Exemple du témozolomide” [Unknown gonadotoxicity chemotherapy and preservation of fertility: example of Temozolomide]. Gynécologie, Obstétrique & Fertilité (in French). 38 (11): 660–2. doi:10.1016/j.gyobfe.2010.09.002. PMID 21030284.
2)

Ambur A, Ambur L, Khan L, Nathoo R. Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome following temozolimide for glioblastoma multiforme and the role of desensitization therapy. J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2022 Apr;28(3):733-735. doi: 10.1177/10781552211062569. Epub 2021 Nov 26. PMID: 34825610.
3)

Mehta H, Gendle CS, Kumaran MS, Vinay K. Temozolomide-induced drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2022 Aug 27:1-4. doi: 10.25259/IJDVL_754_2021. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36332091.

Vancomycin

Vancomycin

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic medication.

Blood levels may be measured to determine the correct dose.

When taken by mouth it is poorly absorbed.

A study described the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) exposure of vancomycin in 8 children prescribed intravenous vancomycin therapy for cerebral ventricular shunt infection. Vancomycin CSF concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 9.13 mg/L and the CSF: plasma ratio ranged from 0 to 0.66. Two of 3 children with a staphylococcal CSF infection had CSF concentrations greater than the minimal inhibitory concentration at the end of the dosing interval 1).


Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) penetration and the pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were studied after continuous infusion (50 to 60 mg/kg of body weight/day after a loading dose of 15 mg/kg) in 13 mechanically ventilated patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. Seven patients were treated for sensitive bacterial meningitis and the other six patients, who had a severe concomitant neurologic disease with intracranial hypertension, were treated for various infections. Vancomycin CSF penetration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the meningitis group (serum/CSF ratio, 48%) than in the other group (serum/CSF ratio, 18%). Vancomycin pharmacokinetic parameters did not differ from those obtained with conventional dosing. No adverse effect was observed, in particular with regard to renal function 2).


Ichinose et al. evaluated the concentration of Vancomycin in the plasma and CSF of postoperative neurosurgical patients with bacterial meningitis and evaluated the factors that affect the transferability of VCM to CSF. The concentrations of VCM in plasma (trough) and CSF were determined in eight patients (four males and four females) with bacterial meningitis who were treated with VCM using High-performance liquid chromatography. The ratio of the VCM concentrations in CSF/plasma was also calculated by estimating the blood VCM concentration at the same time as the VCM concentration in CSF was measured. The results showed that the VCM concentration in CSF was 0.9-12.7 µg/mL and the CSF/plasma VCM concentration ratio was 0.02-0.62. They examined the effect of drainage on the transferability of VCM to CSF, which showed that the VCM concentration in CSF and the CSF/plasma VCM concentration ratio were significantly higher in patients not undergoing drainage than in patients who were undergoing drainage. The CSF protein and glucose concentrations, which are diagnostic indicators of meningitis, were positively correlated with the VCM concentration in CSF and the CSF/plasma VCM concentration ratio. Thus, VCM transferability to CSF may be affected by changes in the status of the blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier due to drainage or meningitis 3).

Vancomycin Indications.

see Vancomycin powder.

Intraventricular Vancomycin


1)

Autmizguine J, Moran C, Gonzalez D, Capparelli EV, Smith PB, Grant GA, Benjamin DK Jr, Cohen-Wolkowiez M, Watt KM. Vancomycin cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics in children with cerebral ventricular shunt infections. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2014 Oct;33(10):e270-2. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000385. PMID: 24776517; PMCID: PMC4209191.
2)

Albanèse J, Léone M, Bruguerolle B, Ayem ML, Lacarelle B, Martin C. Cerebrospinal fluid penetration and pharmacokinetics of vancomycin administered by continuous infusion to mechanically ventilated patients in an intensive care unit. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2000 May;44(5):1356-8. doi: 10.1128/AAC.44.5.1356-1358.2000. PMID: 10770777; PMCID: PMC89870.
3)

Ichinose N, Shinoda K, Yoshikawa G, Fukao E, Enoki Y, Taguchi K, Oda T, Tsutsumi K, Matsumoto K. Exploring the Factors Affecting the Transferability of Vancomycin to Cerebrospinal Fluid in Postoperative Neurosurgical Patients with Bacterial Meningitis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2022;45(9):1398-1402. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b22-00361. PMID: 36047211.

Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Temozolomide resistance is considered to be one of the major reasons responsible for glioblastoma treatment failure.

TMZ is currently the only mono-chemotherapeutic agent for newly-diagnosed high-grade glioma patients and acquired resistance inevitably occurs in the majority of such patients, further limiting treatment options. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the underlying mechanisms involved in TMZ resistance, a critical step to developing effective, targeted treatments. An emerging body of evidence suggests the intimate involvement of a novel class of nucleic acid, microRNA (miRNA), in tumorigenesis and disease progression for a number of human malignancies, including primary brain tumours. miRNA are short, single-stranded, non-coding RNA (∼22 nucleotides) that function as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression 1).

At least 50% of TMZ treated patients do not respond to TMZ. This is due primarily to the over-expression of O6-methylguanine methyltransferase (MGMT) and/or lack of a DNA repair pathway in GBM cells. Multiple GBM cell lines are known to contain TMZ resistant cells and several acquired TMZ resistant GBM cell lines have been developed for use in experiments designed to define the mechanism of TMZ resistance and the testing of potential therapeutics. However, the characteristics of intrinsic and adaptive TMZ resistant GBM cells have not been systemically compared 2)


Many other molecular mechanisms have come to light in recent years. Key emerging mechanisms include the involvement of other DNA repair systems, aberrant signaling pathwaysautophagyepigenetic modificationsmicroRNAs, and extracellular vesicle production 3).


To date, aberrations in O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase are the clear factor that determines drug susceptibility. Alterations of the other DNA damage repair genes such as DNA mismatch repair genes are also known to affect the drug effect. Together these genes have roles in the innate resistance, but are not sufficient for explaining the mechanism leading to acquired resistance. Recent identification of specific cellular subsets with features of stem-like cells may have role in this process. The glioma stem-like cells are known for its superior ability in withstanding the drug-induced cytotoxicity, and giving the chance to repopulate the tumor. The mechanism is complicated to administrate cellular protection, such as the enhancing ability against reactive oxygen species and altering energy metabolism, the important steps to survive 4).


Rabé et al. performed a longitudinal study, using a combination of mathematical models, RNA sequencing, single cell analyses, functional and drug assays in a human glioma cell line (U251). After an initial response characterized by cell death induction, cells entered a transient state defined by slow growth, a distinct morphology and a shift of metabolism. Specific genes expression associated to this population revealed chromatin remodeling. Indeed, the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin (TSA), specifically eliminated this population and thus prevented the appearance of fast growing TMZ-resistant cells. In conclusion, they identified in glioblastoma a population with tolerant-like features, which could constitute a therapeutic target 5)


Ferroptosis, which is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years, has been reported to play an important role in tumor drug resistance. A study reviews the relationship between ferroptosis and glioma TMZ resistance, and highlights the role of ferroptosis in glioma TMZ resistance. Finally, the investigators discussed the future orientation for ferroptosis in glioma TMZ resistance, in order to promote the clinical use of ferroptosis induction in glioma treatment 6).


CUL4B has been shown to be upregulated and promotes progression and chemoresistance in several cancer types. However, its regulatory effect and mechanisms on TMZ resistance have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to decipher the role and mechanism of CUL4B in TMZ resistance. Western blot and public datasets analysis showed that CUL4B was upregulated in glioma specimens. CUL4B elevation positively correlated with advanced pathological stage, tumor recurrence, malignant molecular subtype and poor survival in glioma patients receiving TMZ treatment. CUL4B expression was correlated with TMZ resistance in GBM cell lines. Knocking down CUL4B restored TMZ sensitivity, while upregulation of CUL4B promoted TMZ resistance in GBM cells. By employing senescence β-galactosidase staining, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we found that CUL4B coordinated histone deacetylase (HDAC) to co-occupy the CDKN1A promoter and epigenetically silenced CDKN1A transcription, leading to attenuation of TMZ-induced senescence and rendering the GBM cells TMZ resistance. Collectively, our findings identify a novel mechanism by which GBM cells develop resistance to TMZ and suggest that CUL4B inhibition may be beneficial for overcoming resistance 7).


CXCL12/CXCR4 has been demonstrated to be involved in cell proliferationcell migrationcell invasionangiogenesis, and radioresistance in glioblastoma (GBM). However, its role in TMZ resistance in GBM is unknown. Wang et al. aimed to evaluate the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 in mediating the TMZ resistance to GBM cells and explore the underlying mechanisms. They found that the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis enhanced TMZ resistance in GBM cells. Further study showed that CXCL12/CXCR4 conferred TMZ resistance and promoted the migration and invasion of GBM cells by up-regulating FOXM1. This resistance was partially reversed by suppressing CXCL12/CXCR4 and FOXM1 silencing. This study revealed the vital role of CXCL12/CXCR4 in mediating the resistance of GBM cells to TMZ, and suggested that targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 axis may attenuate the resistance to TMZ in GBM 8).


The YTHDF2 expression in TMZ-resistant tissues and cells was detected. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to evaluate the prognostic value of YTHDF2 in GBM. Effect of YTHDF2 in TMZ resistance in GBM was explored via corresponding experiments. RNA sequence, FISH in conjugation with fluorescent immunostaining, RNA immunoprecipitation, dual-luciferase reporter gene and immunofluorescence were applied to investigate the mechanism of YTHDF2 that boosted TMZ resistance in GBM.

YTHDF2 was up-regulated in TMZ-resistant tissues and cells, and patients with high expression of YTHDF2 showed lower survival rate than the patients with low expression of YTHDF2. The elevated YTHDF2 expression boosted TMZ resistance in GBM cells, and the decreased YTHDF2 expression enhanced TMZ sensitivity in TMZ-resistant GBM cells. Mechanically, YTHDF2 bound to the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) sites in the 3’UTR of EPHB3 and TNFAIP3 to decrease the mRNA stability. YTHDF2 activated the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signals through inhibiting expression of EPHB3 and TNFAIP3, and the inhibition of the two pathways attenuated YTHDF2-mediated TMZ resistance.

YTHDF2 enhanced TMZ resistance in GBM by activation of the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signalling pathways via inhibition of EPHB3 and TNFAIP3 9).


1) 
Low SY, Ho YK, Too HP, Yap CT, Ng WH. MicroRNA as potential modulators in chemoresistant high-grade gliomas. J Clin Neurosci. 2013 Oct 6. pii: S0967-5868(13)00518-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2013.07.033. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24411131.
2) 
Lee SY. Temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma multiforme. Genes Dis. 2016 May 11;3(3):198-210. doi: 10.1016/j.gendis.2016.04.007. PMID: 30258889; PMCID: PMC6150109.
3) 
Singh N, Miner A, Hennis L, Mittal S. Mechanisms of temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma – a comprehensive review. Cancer Drug Resist. 2021;4(1):17-43. doi: 10.20517/cdr.2020.79. Epub 2021 Mar 19. PMID: 34337348; PMCID: PMC8319838.
4) 
Chien CH, Hsueh WT, Chuang JY, Chang KY. Dissecting the mechanism of temozolomide resistance and its association with the regulatory roles of intracellular reactive oxygen species in glioblastoma. J Biomed Sci. 2021 Mar 8;28(1):18. doi: 10.1186/s12929-021-00717-7. PMID: 33685470; PMCID: PMC7938520.
5) 
Rabé M, Dumont S, Álvarez-Arenas A, Janati H, Belmonte-Beitia J, Calvo GF, Thibault-Carpentier C, Séry Q, Chauvin C, Joalland N, Briand F, Blandin S, Scotet E, Pecqueur C, Clairambault J, Oliver L, Perez-Garcia V, Nadaradjane A, Cartron PF, Gratas C, Vallette FM. Identification of a transient state during the acquisition of temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma. Cell Death Dis. 2020 Jan 6;11(1):19. doi: 10.1038/s41419-019-2200-2. PMID: 31907355; PMCID: PMC6944699.
6) 
Hu Z, Mi Y, Qian H, Guo N, Yan A, Zhang Y, Gao X. A Potential Mechanism of Temozolomide Resistance in Glioma-Ferroptosis. Front Oncol. 2020 Jun 23;10:897. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00897. PMID: 32656078; PMCID: PMC7324762.
7) 
Ye X, Liu X, Gao M, Gong L, Tian F, Shen Y, Hu H, Sun G, Zou Y, Gong Y. CUL4B Promotes Temozolomide Resistance in Gliomas by Epigenetically Repressing CDNK1A Transcription. Front Oncol. 2021 Apr 2;11:638802. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.638802. PMID: 33869025; PMCID: PMC8050354.
8) 
Wang S, Chen C, Li J, Xu X, Chen W, Li F. The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis confers temozolomide resistance to human glioblastoma cells via up-regulation of FOXM1. J Neurol Sci. 2020 Apr 14;414:116837. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116837. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32334273.
9) 
Chen Y, Wang YL, Qiu K, Cao YQ, Zhang FJ, Zhao HB, Liu XZ. YTHDF2 promotes temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma by activation of the Akt and NF-κB signalling pathways via inhibiting EPHB3 and TNFAIP3. Clin Transl Immunology. 2022 May 9;11(5):e1393. doi: 10.1002/cti2.1393. PMID: 35582627; PMCID: PMC9082891.

Cilostazol

Cilostazol

Cilostazol, is a antiplatelet drug that inhibits phosphodiesterase 3.

Application of cilostazol was reported to ameliorate vasospasm and improve outcomes in series and clinical trials. But the effectiveness and feasibility of cilostazol on aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage remained controversial.


Kim et al. from the Asan Medical Center retrospectively analyzed the data of 427 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms who underwent endovascular treatment between July 2011 and June 2014. When clopidogrel resistance was confirmed via platelet reactivity unit (PRU) assay after dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin plus clopidogrel) administration for 5 days, triple antiplatelet therapy with cilostazol was administered (Group I, 274 patients). The other group was placed on standard dual antiplatelet therapy (Group II, 153 patients). All patients underwent magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging within 2 days after endovascular coiling.

No significant associations with the occurrence of a thromboembolic event and microembolic event were found between the groups. The occurrence of thromboembolic and microembolic events showed no statistical difference between groups I and II (p = 0.725 for thromboembolic events and p = 0.109 for microembolic events). Also, the PRU value and the occurrence of microembolic events, using a PRU cutoff value of 240, showed no statistical difference (p = 0.114 in group I and 0.064 in group II). There was significant increase in microembolic events after the use of a stent-assisted endovascular procedure. As the PRU value increased, there was a trend toward an increase in the mean number of microembolic lesions without statistical significance.

Even though there is a presumed anti-thromboembolic effect for clopidogrel resistance in other literature, the clinical efficacy of adjustment of additional cilostazol for endovascular coiling of unruptured aneurysms may be limited due to the unspecified cutoff value of the PRU assay for evaluating the resistance 1).

A total of 454 articles were identified using the search criteria. Six articles were selected for systematic review and the 4 randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratio for symptomatic vasospasm, new-onset infarct, and angiographic vasospasm was 0.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.59; P < 0.0001), 0.38 (95% CI, 0.21-0.66; P = 0.0007) and 0.49 (95% CI, 0.31-0.80; P = 0.004), respectively. The pooled risk ratio for unfavorable outcome was 0.52 (95% CI, 0.37-0.74; P = 0.0003).

Cilostazol decreases the prevalence of symptomatic vasospasm, new-onset infarct, and angiographic vasospasm when administered after aSAH. Trial sequential analysis increased the precision of our results because the defined thresholds of effect were met by the available studies. However, further studies involving patients from other geographic areas are required to confirm the generalization of the results 2)

Shan et al., performed a systematic review to clarify this issue.

PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane library database were systematically searched up to May 2018 for eligible publications in English. Quality assessment was conducted for included studies. Meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the overall effect on events of interest. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were used to check whether the results were robust. Publication bias was evaluated with the funnel plot.

Pooled analyses found cilostazol significantly reduced incidences of severe angiographic vasospasm (p = 0.0001), symptomatic vasospasm (p < 0.00001), new cerebral infarction (p < 0.00001) and the poor outcome (p < 0.0001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses achieved consistent results. There was no statistical difference between cilostazol and the control group in reducing mortality (p = 0.07). But sensitivity analysis changed the result after excluding one study. Under the prescribed dosage, complication was few and non-lethal.

Cilostazol was effective and safe to reduce incidences of severe angiographic vasospasm, symptomatic vasospasm, new cerebral infarction and poor outcome in patients after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, its effect on mortality and the interactive effect with nimodipine warranted further research 3).

Beneficial for patients with atherothrombosis. In contrast to other anti-platelet drugs such as aspirin and thienopyridines, little information is available on the relationship between platelet responses to cilostazol and clinical outcomes.

Ikeda et al. from the Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, conducted a prospective study on patients with cerebral infarction who were treated with cilostazol. The platelet response to cilostazol was assessed with a new assay for the phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) subsequent to the pharmacological action of cilostazol. Patients were followed up for 2 years and the relationship between VASP assay results and the recurrence of thrombotic events was examined. We also investigated the effects of CYP3A5 and CYP2C19 genotypes involved in the metabolism of cilostazol on the platelet response to cilostazol.

Among the 142 patients enrolled, 130 completed the 2-year follow-up and the recurrence of thrombotic events was noted in 8 (6.2%). VASP phosphorylation levels were significantly lower in patients with than in those without recurrence. The combined genotype of CYP3A51/3 and CYP2C191/1 was associated with a low level of VASP phosphorylation, while either genotype was not. A multivariate analysis showed that high residual platelet reactivity during the cilostazol treatment, which was defined by a low response of platelet VASP phosphorylation to cilostazol, was an independent risk factor for the recurrence of thrombotic events.

A low platelet response to cilostazol determined by a new platelet assay was associated with the recurrence of thrombotic events in patients with cerebral infarction 4).

established an experimental model using normal and diabetic rats at 12 months of age. The diabetic rats were assigned to 4 different diet groups, distinguished by whether they were fed plain rat feed, or the same feed supplemented by 1 of 3 antiplatelet drugs (cilostazol, aspirin, or clopidogrel: all 0.1%) for 2 weeks, and the carotid artery was perforated by an embolization coil (“carotid coil model”). We monitored the process by which vascular endothelial cells formed the new endothelium on the surface of the coil by sampling and evaluating the region at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after placement. This repair process was also compared among 3 groups treated with different antiplatelet drugs (i.e. aspirin, clopidogrel, and cilostazol). One-way analysis of variance tests were performed to evaluate the differences in vascular thickness between groups, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: The diabetic rats showed delayed neoendothelialization and marked intimal hyperplasia. Cilostazol and clopidogrel effectively counteracted this delayed endothelial repair process. Flk1 immunostaining revealed greater expression in the diabetic rats administered cilostazol, second only to normal rats, suggesting that this agent acted to recruit EPCs.

Conclusion: Neoendothelialization is delayed when vascular endothelial cells fail to function normally, which consequently leads to the formation of hyperplastic tissue. Cilostazol may remedy this dysfunction by recruiting EPCs to the site of injury 5).


1)

Kim GJ, Heo Y, Moon EJ, Park W, Ahn JS, Lee DH, Park JC. Thromboembolic events during endovascular coiling for unruptured intracranial aneurysms: Clinical significance of platelet reactivity unit and adjunctive cilostazol. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2022 Jan 15;213:107133. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107133. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35065532.
2)

Bohara S, Garg K, Singh Rajpal PM, Kasliwal M. Role of Cilostazol in Prevention of Vasospasm After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis. World Neurosurg. 2021 Jun;150:161-170. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.02.069. Epub 2021 Feb 23. PMID: 33631387.
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Shan T, Zhang T, Qian W, Ma L, Li H, You C, Xie X. Effectiveness and feasibility of cilostazol in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Neurol. 2019 Feb 9. doi: 10.1007/s00415-019-09198-z. [Epub ahead of print] Review. PubMed PMID: 30739182.
4)

Ikeda Y, Yamanouchi J, Kumon Y, Yasukawa M, Hato T. Association of platelet response to cilostazol with clinical outcome and CYP genotype in patients with cerebral infarction. Thromb Res. 2018 Oct 10;172:14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2018.10.003. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30342278.
5)

Fukawa N, Ueda T, Ogoshi T, Kitazawa Y, Takahashi J. Vascular Endothelial Repair and the Influence of Circulating Antiplatelet Drugs in a Carotid Coil Model. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis. 2021 May 20;13:11795735211011786. doi: 10.1177/11795735211011786. PMID: 34104032; PMCID: PMC8145582.