Latest Research
All publications from the Cancer3.AI database, newest first.
Predictors of outcome in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.
Dono A, et al
Researchers conducted the largest analysis to date of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), a rare type of brain tumor that generally carries a favorable prognosis, using data from 470 patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2016 in the SEER national cancer registry. The study found that older age at diagnosis (39 years or older) and larger tumor size (30 mm or more) were independent predictors of worse survival, while pediatric patients fared significantly better than adults, with an estimated mean overall survival of over 16 years across the entire cohort. Notably, postoperative radiotherapy was associated with poorer outcomes, and chemotherapy did not improve survival, suggesting these adjuvant treatments may be ineffective or even harmful in PXA. Gross total surgical removal of the tumor remained the cornerstone of effective treatment, with improved survival observed in male patients who underwent complete resection. In adults, female sex and tumor location in the temporal lobe were linked to better survival outcomes. These findings provide clinicians with actionable guidance for optimizing PXA treatment strategies while minimizing unnecessary side effects, though the authors note that further research incorporating molecular tumor profiling is needed.
Neuro-oncology practice
Source →Update on Circumscribed Gliomas and Glioneuronal Tumors.
Chen J, et al
A comprehensive review published in Surgical Pathology Clinics provides an updated overview of well-circumscribed brain tumors classified as gliomas and glioneuronal tumors, which typically fall into the lower WHO grade categories of I and II. These tumors are distinct from more aggressive diffuse gliomas, though the review notes that certain high-grade tumors such as gliosarcoma and giant cell glioblastoma can occasionally appear circumscribed before revealing infiltrative behavior under close examination. The review emphasizes the importance of both histological features and molecular markers in accurately identifying these tumor types, reflecting the evolving integration of molecular diagnostics into neuropathology. Medical imaging plays a critical role in preoperative assessment, serving as a substitute for direct visual inspection given the tumors' well-defined boundaries. A key clinical takeaway is that surgical resection alone is the primary and often curative treatment for most of these lower-grade circumscribed tumors, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis in guiding patient management.
Surgical pathology clinics
Source →Actionable FGFR1 and BRAF mutations in adult circumscribed gliomas.
Trisolini E, et al
Researchers from two institutions investigated the frequency of actionable genetic mutations in the FGFR1 and BRAF genes among adult patients diagnosed with circumscribed gliomas, a group of mostly low-grade brain tumors including pilocytic astrocytomas, gangliogliomas, ependymomas, and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors. The study analyzed tumor samples from over 300 patients, sequencing key mutation hotspots in FGFR1 and BRAF using DNA extracted from archived tissue. FGFR1 mutations were found in a significant proportion of pilocytic astrocytomas, with a notably high rate in tumors located along the optic pathway, making these patients strong candidates for anti-FGFR targeted therapies. BRAF mutations, including both the well-known V600E variant and a less common insertion mutation, were identified in pilocytic astrocytomas and gangliogliomas, while ependymomas showed no BRAF mutations. These findings are clinically meaningful because targeted therapies against FGFR and BRAF alterations are already available, offering potential treatment options for adult patients with these brain tumors who face limited surgical or conventional therapeutic choices.
Journal of neuro-oncology
Source →A Cerebellar High-Grade Neuroepithelial Tumour with BCOR Alteration in a five-year-old Child: A case report.
Al-Battashi A, et al
Researchers from Oman report a rare pediatric brain cancer case involving a high-grade neuroepithelial tumour with a BCOR gene alteration in a young child. A two-year-old boy initially presented with head tilting and neck pain, and imaging revealed a well-defined cerebellar lesion that was treated with standard chemoradiotherapy. Following a relapse at age five, advanced molecular testing identified the tumor as CNS high-grade neuroepithelial tumour with BCOR alteration (CNS HGNET-BCOR), a newly recognized and aggressive cancer subtype. Despite additional surgery and high-dose chemotherapy, the child relapsed again and died approximately three years after the initial diagnosis. This case highlights the critical importance of molecular profiling in pediatric brain tumors, as the BCOR alteration was only identified at relapse, underscoring the need for early and comprehensive genetic testing to guide treatment decisions. The report adds to the limited global literature on this rare tumor entity and emphasizes the urgent need for more effective therapies targeting CNS HGNET-BCOR.
Sultan Qaboos University medical journal
Source →Update on the classification of T-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas, and histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms.
Satou A, et al
A team of experts reviewed the latest advances in the classification of T-cell lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas, and histiocytic/dendritic cell neoplasms, building on the 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) classification framework. Lymphomas are a diverse group of blood cancers arising from immune cells, and their classification—currently encompassing over 100 distinct entities—guides diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients worldwide. The review highlights how rapid progress in molecular and genomic technologies, often called '-omics,' has deepened understanding of the biological, genetic, and clinical characteristics of these cancers since the last formal WHO update. Key new findings have emerged across mature T-cell neoplasms, classical and nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma, and rare histiocytic and dendritic cell tumors. These advances are particularly important because they open doors to more precise diagnoses and the development of targeted therapies tailored to the molecular profile of each lymphoma subtype. Clinicians and researchers are encouraged to stay abreast of these evolving classifications, as they directly influence patient management and outcomes even between formal WHO revision cycles.
Expert review of hematology
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