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Neurology 2019 Apr 24. Epub 2019 Apr 24.

From the Department of Neurology (B.M.A., C.M.), New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; and Departments of Radiology (V.H.) and Neurology (L.M.D., A.M.M.) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.

Objective: To perform a retrospective analysis examining the incidence and prognosis of glioma patients with leptomeningeal disease (LMD) at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center over a 15-year period and correlate these findings with clinicopathologic characteristics.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of glioma patients with LMD at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center diagnosed from 2001 to 2016. Patients were identified through a keyword search of their electronic medical record and by ICD-9 codes. Read More

Br J Neurosurg 2019 Apr 22:1-3. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

b Institute of Neurological Sciences , Marmara University , Istanbul , Turkey.

We report a 45 years old female patient with a left temporal grade II oligodendroglioma that recurred on the wall of the fourth ventricle at grade II oligodendroglioma. Read More

Acta Oncol 2019 Apr 15:1-7. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

b Faculty of Social Sciences , University of Tampere , Tampere , Finland.

Background: Several studies have reported increased incidence trends of malignant gliomas in the late 1900s with a plateau in the 2000s, but also some recent increases have been reported. The purpose of our study was to analyze incidence trends of malignant gliomas in Finland by morphology and tumor location.

Material And Methods: Data on 4730 malignant glioma patients were obtained from case notifications to the nationwide, population-based Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR), and less detailed data on 3590 patients up to 2016. Read More

Mol Imaging Biol 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Würzburg, Oberdürrbacher Str. 6, 97080, Wurzburg, Germany.

Purpose: The use of [F]fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([F]FET) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has proven valuable in brain tumor management. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of radiotracer uptake in newly diagnosed grade II or III gliomas according to the current 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification.

Procedures: A total of 35 treatment-naive patients (mean age, 48 ± 17 years) with histologically proven WHO grade II or III gliomas as defined by the current 2016 WHO classification were included. Read More

Clin Cancer Res 2019 Apr 11. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School

Purpose: Oligodendroglioma (OD) has a relatively favorable prognosis, however, often undergoes malignant progression. We hypothesized that preclinical models of OD could facilitate identification of therapeutic targets in progressive OD. We established multiple OD xenografts to determine if PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway drives tumor progression. Read More

J ECT 2019 Apr 8. Epub 2019 Apr 8.

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College Hanover, NH National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder US Department of Veteran Affairs White River Junction, VT Department of Surgery Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH Department of Psychiatry Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Department of Psychiatry Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH

Diagn Pathol 2019 Apr 9;14(1):29. Epub 2019 Apr 9.

Knight Diagnostic Laboratories and Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.

Insights into the molecular underpinnings of primary central nervous system tumors have radically changed the approach to tumor diagnosis and classification. Diagnostic emphasis has shifted from the morphology of a tumor under the microscope to an integrated approach based on morphologic and molecular features, including gene mutations, chromosomal copy number alterations, and gene rearrangements. In 2016, the World Health Organization provided guidelines for making an integrated diagnosis that incorporates both morphologic and molecular features in a subset of brain tumors. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2019 Jan-Mar;14(1):272-274

Department of Neurosurgery, Paras Hospital, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.

A 51-year-old male patient presented to us with an episode of generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a dural-based contrast-enhancing lesion in the right temporal lobe and another heterogeneously contrast-enhancing intra-axial lesion in the right insula adjacent to it. Histopathology confirmed it as a meningioma adjacent to an anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 26. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

MD, Pathology at Seton Medical Center Williamson; 201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock, Texas, USA 78665.

J Med Syst 2019 Mar 21;43(5):113. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Electrical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, 673601, Calicut, India.

Computer aided diagnosis using artificial intelligent techniques made tremendous improvement in medical applications especially for easy detection of tumor area, tumor type and grades. This paper presents automatic glioma tumor grade identification from magnetic resonant images using Wndchrm tool based classifier (Weighted Neighbour Distance using Compound Heirarchy of Algorithms Representing Morphology) and VGG-19 deep convolutional neural network (DNN). For experimentation, DICOM images are collected from reputed government hospital and the proposed intelligent system categorized the tumor into four grades such as low grade glioma, oligodendroglioma, anaplastic glioma and glioblastoma multiform. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 13. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.

Objective: c-Met has been shown to be associated with tumor growth in several human cancers. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between the c-Met expression and histopathologic/clinical characteristics.

Methods: A total of 153 patients with histologically defined World Health Organization grade II-IV diffuse astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were analyzed. Read More

Nucleic Acid Ther 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Rochester, Minnesota.

We previously reported the in vitro selection and characterization of a DNA aptamer capable of stimulating remyelination in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. This aptamer was selected for its ability to bind to suspensions of crude murine myelin in vitro. Our initial studies in vitro and in vivo involved a 40-nucleotide derivative (LJM-3064) of the original 100-nucleotide aptamer. Read More

BMC Cancer 2019 Mar 1;19(1):190. Epub 2019 Mar 1.

Division of Oncology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

Background: IDH1/2 mutated glioma has been associated with a germline risk variant, the rs55705857 G allele. The Utah Population Database (UPDB), a computerized genealogy of people in Utah, is a unique resource to evaluate cancer risk in related individuals.

Methods: One hundred and two individuals with IDH1/2 mutant or 1p/19q co-deleted glioma were genotyped and linked to the UPDB. Read More

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2019 Feb 26;20(2):479-485. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Pathology, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, India. Email:

Background: Leptin, an adipocytokine functions via the leptin receptor, OB-Rb that contains an intact intracellular domain and activates the JAK/STAT signalling cascade. It stimulates growth, migration and invasion of cancer cells in vitro potentiating angiogenesis. Recently, the involvement of leptin in tumor progression is being explored. Read More

Chem Biodivers 2019 Feb 22. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

) Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, DE Marburg, GERMANY.

The lipophilization of β-D-riboguanosine (1) with various symmetric as well as asymmetric ketones is described (→ 3a-f). The formation of the corresponding O-2', 3'-ketals is accompanied by the appearance of various fluorescent by-products which were isolated chromatographically as mixtures and tentatively analyzed by ESI mass spectrometry. The mainly formed guanosine nucleolipids were isolated and characterized by elemental analyses, 1H-, 13C-NMR and UV spectroscopy. Read More

Exp Cell Res 2019 Mar 16;376(2):221-226. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

University of Portsmouth, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, White Swan Road, St. Michael's Building, PO1 2DT Portsmouth, United Kingdom; University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Cancer Biology Program, 701 Ilalo street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA. Electronic address:

Over the last decade there has been growing evidence that Brain Expressed X-Linked 2 (BEX2) has a significant role in the process of carcinogenesis. Collectively, available studies suggest a pro-oncogenic function for this gene in multiple malignancies, including breast, colorectal and hepatocellular cancers in addition to brain tumors. The identification of BEX2 in breast cancer resulted from gene expression microarray studies. Read More

Oncologist 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Medical Oncology, Bellaria-Maggiore Hospitals, Azienda USL, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences, Bologna, Italy

Background: Patients with low-grade gliomas (LGGs) with isocitrate dehydrogenase () mutation (mut) and 1p19q codeletion (codel) have a median overall survival of longer than 10 years. The aim of this study is to assess the role of postsurgical treatments.

Subjects, Materials, And Methods: We evaluated patients with LGGs with mut and 1p19q codel; was performed by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Read More

Am J Clin Oncol 2019 Apr;42(4):391-398

Departments of Radiation Oncology.

Purpose: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9802 has established postoperative radiation therapy (RT) and chemotherapy sequentially as the new standard of care for patients with high-risk low-grade glioma (LGG) meeting trial criteria. Although this trial investigated sequential chemoradiation therapy (sCRT) with RT followed by chemotherapy, it is unknown whether concurrent chemoradiation therapy (cCRT) may offer advantages over sCRT.

Materials And Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for newly diagnosed World Health Organization (WHO) grade II glioma. Read More

Diagn Pathol 2019 Feb 9;14(1):16. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Brain Cancer Program, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, 1550 Orleans Street, 1M16, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.

Background: Gliomas with 1p/19q-codeletion as well as mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 are typically characterized as oligodendrogliomas with comparatively good response to treatment with radiation and chemotherapy.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 28-year-old man with an IDH1 and TP53 mutant high grade glioma with abnormalities in chromosomes 1 and 19 suggestive of anaplastic oligodendroglioma that rapidly progressed to widespread metastatic disease. Biopsy of a liver lesion confirmed metastasis of the patient's known brain primary and chemotherapy with temozolomide was initiated. Read More

Neuroradiology 2019 May 2;61(5):545-555. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Department of Radiology, Oslo University Hospital-Rikshospitalet, 4950 Nydalen, 0424, Oslo, Norway.

Purpose: According to the revised World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System (CNS) of 2016, oligodendrogliomas are now defined primarily by a specific molecular signature (presence of IDH mutation and 1p19q codeletion). The purpose of our study was to assess the value of dynamic susceptibility contrast MR imaging (DSC-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to characterize oligodendrogliomas and to distinguish them from astrocytomas.

Methods: Seventy-one adult patients with untreated WHO grade II and grade III diffuse infiltrating gliomas and known 1p/19q codeletion status were retrospectively identified and analyzed using relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps based on whole-tumor volume histograms. Read More

Aging (Albany NY) 2019 Feb;11(3):974-985

Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Background: Chromosome 1p/19q codeletion is increasingly being recognized as the crucial genetic marker for glioma patients and have been included in WHO classification of glioma in 2016. Fluorescent in situ hybridization, a widely used method in detecting 1p/19q status, has some methodological limitations which might influence the clinical management for doctors. Here, we attempted to explore an RNA sequencing computational method to detect 1p/19q status. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 May 1;142(3):445-454. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Pathology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Purpose: The TruSight Tumor 170 (TST-170) panel consists of a DNA workflow for the identification of single-nucleotide variants, small insertions and deletions, and copy number variation, as well as a panel of 55 genes for a RNA workflow for the identification of splice variants and gene fusions. To date, the application of TST-170 in diffuse gliomas (DGs) has not been described.

Methods: We analyzed 135 samples of DG, which were diagnosed by WHO criteria based on histological features and conventional molecular tests including immunostaining, 1p/19q FISH, and analysis of MGMT methylation and TERT promoter mutation. Read More

PLoS One 2019 30;14(1):e0211513. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Neurology Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China.

Anaplastic oligodendroglioma is a rare disease with an inadequately understood prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with survival outcome in anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients. A population-based cohort study was conducted based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2019 Mar 29;161(3):535-543. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Department of Neurosurgery, Goethe University Hospital, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

Background: Data about the influence of pregnancy on progression-free survival and overall survival of glioma patients are sparse and controversial. We aimed at providing further evidence on this relation.

Methods: The course of 18 glioma patients giving birth to 23 children after tumor surgery was reviewed and compared to the course of 18 nulliparous female patients matched for tumor diagnosis including molecular markers, extent of resection, and tumor location. Read More

J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2019 Apr 24;63(2):272-280. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Introduction: Assess survival of patients with anaplastic glioma (AG) and the relationship to molecular subtype.

Methods: Patients with AG managed with IMRT between 2008 and 2014 were entered into a prospective database assessing relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutations were assessed prospectively from 2011, and subsequent testing of historical patients allowing categorisation under WHO 2016 classification as anaplastic astrocytoma IDH wild type (AAwt), anaplastic astrocytoma IDH mutated (AAmut), anaplastic oligodendroglioma (AOD) or other glial tumour (OTH). Read More

Oncol Lett 2019 Feb 7;17(2):1675-1687. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, 50588 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic aberrations and novel transcripts, particularly the fusion transcripts, involved in the pathogenesis of low-grade and anaplastic oligodendroglioma. In the present study, tissue samples were obtained from patients with oligodendroglioma and additionally from archived tissue samples from the Brain Tumor Tissue Bank of the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada. Six samples were obtained, three of which were low-grade oligodendroglioma and the other three anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2019 Mar;44(3):e168-e169

From the Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.

F-FP-CIT PET is a useful modality for imaging dopamine transporters. It has excellent resolution compared with I-beta-CIT SPECT and is widely used clinically for the evaluation of Parkinson disease. In general, the main focus of F-FP-CIT PET imaging is the basal ganglia, and it is important to observe whether F-FP-CIT uptake is normal in the putamen and caudate nuclei. Read More

Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2019 Feb 31;15:46-52. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.

Molecular markers are redefining classification of lower grade gliomas and ushering in a paradigm shift in their management. Our objective was to evaluate the differences in pattern of care and outcome by comparing grade II and grade III molecularly defined 1p19q co-deleted gliomas. We evaluated 1618 patients in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with 1p19q co-deleted gliomas from 2010 through 2014 and treated with surgery followed by radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), or combined-modality therapy. Read More

J Pak Med Assoc 2019 Jan;69(1):132-134

Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Pakistan.

Oligodendrogliomas are common intra-axial primary brain tumours, and carry special significance due to several key features, which when present provide better prognosis compared to other intra-axial tumours. One of these features is presence of 1p/19q chromosomal codeletion that seems to not only be a marker of better prognosis but also signifies better response to chemotherapy. Herein the authors review the literature for evidence of the prognostic value of 1p/19q codeletion in OD. Read More

Chem Biodivers 2019 Mar 25;16(3):e1800497. Epub 2019 Feb 25.

Organic Chemistry I - Bioorganic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry of New Materials, University of Osnabrück, Barbarastr. 7, D-49069, Osnabrück, Germany.

2-Chloro-2'-deoxyadenosine (cladribine, 1) was acylated with valproic acid (2) under various reaction conditions yielding 2-chloro-2'-deoxy-3',5'-O-divalproyladenosine (3) as well as the 3'-O- and 5'-O-monovalproylated derivatives, 2-chloro-2'-deoxy-3'-O-valproyladenosine (4) and 2-chloro-2'-deoxy-5'-O-valproyladenosine (5), as new co-drugs. In addition, 6-azauridine-2',3'-O-(ethyl levulinate) (8) was valproylated at the 5'-OH group (→9). All products were characterized by H- and C-NMR spectroscopy and ESI mass spectrometry. Read More

J Neurosurg 2019 Jan;130(1):9-16

OBJECTIVEThe goal of this article is to review the history of surgery for low- and high-grade gliomas located within the insula with particular focus on microsurgical technique, anatomical considerations, survival, and postoperative morbidity.METHODSThe authors reviewed the literature for published reports focused on insular region anatomy, neurophysiology, surgical approaches, and outcomes for adults with World Health Organization grade II-IV gliomas.RESULTSWhile originally considered to pose too great a risk, insular glioma surgery can be performed safely due to the collective efforts of many individuals. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019 Feb 31;177:63-67. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States; Severn Health Solutions, Severna Park, MD, United States.

Objectives: Glioma susceptibility is inversely related to a history of allergies and atopy. Lung allergies are associated with 30% lower glioma susceptibility, compared to no lung allergies. Asthma and eczema also reduce the chance of glioma. Read More

Am J Clin Oncol 2019 Mar;42(3):258-264

Department of Radiation Oncology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.

Introduction: Adjuvant management of anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (AOs) and anaplastic oligoastrocytomas (AOAs) is guided by 2 seminal phase III trials, one of which utilized radiotherapy (RT) followed by chemotherapy (CT) (RT-CT), and the other in which CT was followed by RT (CT-RT). Both paradigms are endorsed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network because no direct comparison in the first-line (nonprogressive) setting has been performed to date. This study of a contemporary national database sought to evaluate practice patterns and outcomes between both approaches. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Dec 19. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, North Shore University Hospital, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, New York.

Background And Importance: Surgery for resection of tentorial meningiomas compressing primary visual cortex carries a significant risk of worsening vision. This concern is especially acute in patients with a preexisting visual deficit. Approaches that involve mechanical retraction of the occipital lobe further threaten visual function. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 18;141(1):205-211. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Chiba, Japan.

Introduction: Chromosomes 1p/19q co-deletion is a robust molecular marker for the diagnosis of oligodendroglial tumors, and has been included in the 2016 WHO modified classification. Although treatment for oligodendroglioma is controversial, upfront chemotherapy is regarded as one of the treatment option for low-grade tumor. We have treated all the 1p/19q co-deleted oligodendrogliomas, both grades II and III, with upfront chemotherapy without conventional radiotherapy for 20 years. Read More

Int J Neurosci 2018 Dec 11:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

c Baptist Health , Louisville , KY , USA.

Oligodendrogliomas are a rare type of primary brain tumor. They are genetically defined as diffuse gliomas carrying mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase type 1 (IDH1) or type 2 (IDH2) and codeletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q. The WHO grading system distinguishes two histopathologic grades of ODs: grade II (low-grade) and grade III (anaplastic oligodendroglioma or AO). Read More

Neurol India 2018 Nov-Dec;66(6):1726-1731

Department of Radiotherapy, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: The plethora of biomarkers available for the diagnosis and prognostication of gliomas has refined the classification of gliomas. The new World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classification integrates the phenotypic and genotyping features for a more robust diagnosis.

Materials And Methods: Fifty gliomas with oligodendroglial morphology according to the WHO 2007 classification were analyzed for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) mutations by polymerase chain reaction, 1p/19q status by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and IDH1 and X-linked alpha-thalassemia retardation (ATRX) expression by immunohistochemistry. Read More

J Comp Pathol 2018 Nov 29;165:62-66. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Networking Research Centre on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.

A 10-year-old entire male French bulldog was presented following clusters of generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. Neurolocalization was consistent with a lesion in the left forebrain. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a large, ill-defined, intra-axial, space-occupying lesion at the level of the left temporal and parietal lobes, causing marked compression of the adjacent parenchyma. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 29;141(2):383-391. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Purpose: WHO grade II gliomas are uncommon in patients over the age of 60, and there is a lack in consensus regarding their management. We present molecular tumor characteristics as well as clinical outcomes in patients over the age of 60 undergoing surgical resection of a WHO grade II glioma.

Methods: After receiving IRB approval, patients were identified through the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan 1;30(1):85-93. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Avenue, M779, San Francisco, CA 94143-0112, USA.

Surgical resection plays a central role in the management of gliomas however many tumors are within areas resulting in sensorimotor and cognitive consequences. This article reviews the evidence in support of extent of resection to improve survival, symptom management, and time to malignant transformation in low-grade gliomas. The authors summarize the evolving literature regarding the role of maximal safe resection in light of WHO subclassification of low-grade gliomas. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan 1;30(1):27-34. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, Columbia University Medical Center, Irving Cancer Research Center, Room 1002, 1130 St Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10032, USA. Electronic address:

Glioma cells diffusely infiltrate the surrounding brain tissue where they intermingle with nonneoplastic brain cells, including astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and neurons. The infiltrative margins of glioma represent the structural and functional interface between neoplastic and nonneoplastic brain tissue that underlies neurologic alterations associated with glioma, including epilepsy and neurologic deficits. Technological advancements in molecular analysis, including single cell sequencing, now allow us to assess alterations in specific cell types in the brain tumor microenvironment, which can enhance the development of novel therapies that target glioma growth and glioma-induced neurologic symptoms. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan;30(1):17-25

Department of Neurosurgery, Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, Neuroscience Institute, Brain Tumor Center, NYU School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Skirball 8R, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address:

Advances in genome sequencing have elucidated the genetics of low-grade glioma. Available evidence indicates a neomorphic mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) initiates gliomagenesis. Mutant IDH produces the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate, which inhibits enzymes that demethylate genomic DNA and histones. Read More

Neurosurg Clin N Am 2019 Jan;30(1):1-16

Department of Medicine, Section of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, Dan Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030-3498, USA. Electronic address:

Incidence, prevalence, and survival for diffuse low-grade gliomas and diffuse anaplastic gliomas (including grade II and grade III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas) varies by histologic type, age at diagnosis, sex, and race/ethnicity. Significant progress has been made in identifying potential risk factors for glioma, although more research is warranted. The strongest risk factors that have been identified thus far include allergies/atopic disease, ionizing radiation, and heritable genetic factors. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Jan 22;141(1):223-233. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.

Purpose: According to the 2016 WHO classification lower-grade gliomas consist of three groups: IDH-mutated and 1p/19q co-deleted, IDH-mutated and IDH-wildtype tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of surgical therapy for lower-grade gliomas with a particular focus on the molecular subgroups.

Methods: This is a bi-centric retrospective analysis including 299 patients, who underwent treatment for lower-grade glioma between 1990 and 2016. Read More

Magn Reson Imaging 2019 04 19;57:254-258. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Purpose: Texture analysis performed on MR images can detect quantitative features that are imperceptible to human visual assessment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis on preoperative conventional MRI to discriminate between histological subtypes in low-grade gliomas (LGGs), and to determine the utility of texture analysis compared to histogram analysis alone.

Methods: A total of 41 patients with LGG, 21 astrocytoma and 20 1p/19q codeleted oligodendroglioma were included in this study. Read More

PLoS One 2018 21;13(11):e0207660. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Life Science, Sogang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Previous studies have identified multiple loci for inherited susceptibility to glioma development, including the regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1). However, the association between RTEL1 variants and risk of glioma has not been well understood. Therefore, we sought to comprehensively examine the genetic interaction between RTEL1 variants and risk of glioma with respect to defined histological and molecular subtypes. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Jan 14;59:68-74. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney NeuroOncology Group, Sydney, Australia.

The role of maximal surgical debulking in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutated anaplastic glioma prior to adjuvant radiation therapy remains uncertain. This study assessed the reduction in tumour volume following intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and temozolomide in this favourable and more responsive tumour pathology. 56 patients were managed from 2011 to 2014 and 53 had residual disease. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2018 Nov 12;10(11). Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of Tumorimmunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, RadboudUMC, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Current treatments for oligodendrogliomas are powerful but have a negative impact on the rest of the body. The bone marrow is damaged by the chemotherapeutics, but other parts of the body are also affected. In this paper, the current treatment method and its collateral damage is described. Read More

NPJ Precis Oncol 2018 6;2:24. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

14Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL USA.

Oligodendrogliomas are diffusely infiltrative gliomas defined by -mutation and co-deletion of 1p/19q. They have highly variable clinical courses, with survivals ranging from 6 months to over 20 years, but little is known regarding the pathways involved with their progression or optimal markers for stratifying risk. We utilized machine-learning approaches with genomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to objectively identify molecular factors associated with clinical outcomes of oligodendroglioma and extended these findings to study signaling pathways implicated in oncogenesis and clinical endpoints associated with glioma progression. Read More

Zh Vopr Neirokhir Im N N Burdenko 2018;82(5):5-20

Burdenko Neurosurgical Institute, Moscow, Russia.

Surgery of intracerebral tumors involving long association fibers is a challenge. In this study, we analyze the results of intraoperative mapping of the superior longitudinal, arcuate, and frontal aslant tracts in surgery of brain gliomas.

Purpose: The study purpose was to compare the results of intraoperative mapping and the postoperative speech function in patients with gliomas of the premotor area of the speech-dominant frontal lobe, which involved the superior longitudinal, arcuate, and frontal aslant tracts, who were operated on using awake craniotomy. Read More