Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects the brain, eyes, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or spinal cord without systemic involvement. Here, we review the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, novel pathophysiologic insights, and treatment of immunocompetent PCNSL patients. Diagnosis of PCNSL requires a high level of suspicion as clinical signs and deficits can vary depending upon the involved CNS compartments. Rapid initiation of therapy is essential for good neurologic recovery and disease control. In general, the prognosis of PCNSL has improved significantly over the past few decades, largely due to the introduction and wide-spread use of high-dose methotrexate (MTX) chemotherapy, considered the backbone of first-line polychemotherapy treatment. Upon completion of MTX-based treatment, a consolidation strategy is often required and can consist of non-myeloablative or myeloablative chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant, radiation, maintenance therapy, or observation. Unfortunately, relapse is common and 5-year survival rates stand at only 30-40%. Novel insights into the pathophysiology of PCNSL have identified key mechanisms in tumor pathogenesis including activation of the B-cell receptor pathway, a suppressed tumor immune microenvironment, and immune evasion. These insights have led to the identification of novel small molecules and agents targeting these aberrant pathways. Agents such as the Bruton Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib or immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) like lenalidomide or pomalidomide have shown promising response rates in the clinical trial setting for recurrent/refractory PCNSL and are increasingly being adopted in clinical use.

The presentation, work up, and management of PCNSL are discussed. Induction therapy incorporates a methotrexate-based chemotherapy regimen and is generally followed by a consolidation regimen including high dose chemotherapy (with or without autologous stem cell rescue). Whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) is a potential additional consolidation strategy. Management of relapsed and refractory disease poses a special challenge due to poor outcomes. Immunotherapy and targeted treatments are promising novel strategies for recurrent/refractory patients. Currently, there is little consensus in the management of PCNSL. Treatment recommendations should be tailored to the individual patient, with consideration for risk of neurotoxicity. New, exciting strategies are in development and when feasible, enrollment in a clinical trial should be considered.

Background Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) are associated with limited survival and treatment options. While involved-field radiotherapy is effective for local palliation, it lacks durability. We evaluated the toxicities of proton craniospinal irradiation (CSI), a treatment encompassing the entire central nervous system (CNS) compartment, for patients with LM from solid tumors. Methods We enrolled patients with LM to receive hypofractionated proton CSI in this phase I prospective trial. The primary end point was to describe treatment-related toxicity, with dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) defined as any radiation-related grade ≥ 3 non-hematologic toxicity or grade ≥ 4 hematologic toxicity according to CTCAE that occurred during or within 4 weeks of completion of proton CSI. Secondary end points included CNS progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results We enrolled 24 patients between June 2018 and April 2019. Their median follow-up was 11 months. Twenty patients were evaluable for protocol treatment-related toxicities and 21 for CNS PFS and OS. Two patients in the dose expansion cohort experienced DLTs consisted of Grade 4 lymphopenia, Grade 4 thrombocytopenia, and/or Grade 3 fatigue. All DLTs resolved without medical intervention. The median CNS PFS was 7 months (95% CI 5-13) and the median OS was 8 months (95% CI 6 to not reached). Four patients (19%) were progression free in the CNS for more than 12 months. Conclusions Hypofractionated proton CSI using proton therapy is a safe treatment for patients with LM from solid tumors. We saw durable disease control in some patients.

ImportanceMalignant primary brain tumors cause more than 15 000 deaths per year in the United States. The annual incidence of primary malignant brain tumors is approximately 7 per 100 000 individuals and increases with age. Five-year survival is approximately 36%.ObservationsApproximately 49% of malignant brain tumors are glioblastomas, and 30% are diffusely infiltrating lower-grade gliomas. Other malignant brain tumors include primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (7%) and malignant forms of ependymomas (3%) and meningiomas (2%). Symptoms of malignant brain tumors include headache (50%), seizures (20%-50%), neurocognitive impairment (30%-40%), and focal neurologic deficits (10%-40%). Magnetic resonance imaging before and after a gadolinium-based contrast agent is the preferred imaging modality for evaluating brain tumors. Diagnosis requires tumor biopsy with consideration of histopathological and molecular characteristics. Treatment varies by tumor type and often includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. For patients with glioblastoma, the combination of temozolomide with radiotherapy improved survival when compared with radiotherapy alone (2-year survival, 27.2% vs 10.9%; 5-year survival, 9.8% vs 1.9%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.6 [95% CI, 0.5-0.7]; P < .001). In patients with anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors with 1p/19q codeletion, probable 20-year overall survival following radiotherapy without vs with the combination of procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine was 13.6% vs 37.1% (80 patients; HR, 0.60 [95% CI, 0.35-1.03]; P = .06) in the EORTC 26951 trial and 14.9% vs 37% in the RTOG 9402 trial (125 patients; HR, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.40-0.94]; P = .02). Treatment of primary CNS lymphoma includes high-dose methotrexate-containing regimens, followed by consolidation therapy with myeloablative chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue, nonmyeloablative chemotherapy regimens, or whole brain radiation.Conclusions and RelevanceThe incidence of primary malignant brain tumors is approximately 7 per 100 000 individuals, and approximately 49% of primary malignant brain tumors are glioblastomas. Most patients die from progressive disease. First-line therapy for glioblastoma is surgery followed by radiation and the alkylating chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide.

2501 Background: MTX-based chemoradiotherapy is effective in PCNSL, but carries a risk of severe neurotoxicity (NT), especially in the elderly. In a phase II single arm study, R-MPV-A chemotherapy was combined with substantially reduced doses of radiotherapy (23.4 Gy), achieving prolonged progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) with acceptable NT. Because R-MPV-A had never been tested without radiotherapy, we conducted a randomized study to determine if the low doses of radiation played a role in the observed disease control, and to characterize NT as compared to chemotherapy alone. Methods: Patients were stratified by MSK RPA class and randomized to receive R-MPV-A with LD-WBRT (chemoRT arm) versus R-MPV-A alone (chemo arm). MTX dose was 3.5g/m2 infused over 2 hours. Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim support was given to all patients. LD-WBRT dose was 23.4 Gy (1.8 Gy X 13). The primary endpoint was intent-to-treat (ITT) PFS. A sample size of 89 would provide 80% power to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.63, with one-sided alpha level of 0.15. Results: A total of 91 patients were randomized, of whom 4 were ineligible. Among eligible patients, 43 were enrolled in the chemoRT arm and 44 in the chemo arm. Median age was 66 (chemoRT) and 59 (chemo). Median KPS was 80 for both arms. Response rates following R-MPV were 81% (chemoRT) and 83% (chemo). In the chemoRT arm, 37 patients (86%) received LD-WBRT. After median follow-up of 55 months (m), the median ITT PFS was 25 m in the chemo arm and not reached in the chemoRT arm (HR 0.51; 95% CI [0.27, 0.95]; p = 0.015). The 2-year PFS was 54% (chemo) and 78% (chemoRT). Salvage radiotherapy has been given to 11 patients in the chemo arm. Median OS was not reached in either arm, with data still maturing. In both arms, most common grades 3 or 4 toxicities were anemia (27%), lymphopenia (41%), neutropenia (35%), thrombocytopenia (26%), ALT (23%) and AST (13%). One patient died from sepsis (chemo arm). As per investigators’ assessment, the rate of clinically defined moderate to severe NT was 11.4% (chemo) and 14% (chemoRT), p = 0.75. Conclusions: The study met the primary endpoint, demonstrating the addition of LD-WBRT to R-MPV-A improves PFS in newly diagnosed PCNSL. As per investigator’s assessment, NT rates were not statistically significantly increased, but further neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging analyses are ongoing to characterize cognitive decline and how it compares to other consolidation treatments. Clinical trial information: NCT01399372 .

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Central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Central nervous system lymphoma can be primary (isolated to the central nervous space) or secondary in the setting of systemic disease. Treatment of CNSL has improved since the introduction of high-dose methotrexate and aggressive consolidation regimens. However, results after treatment are durable in only half of patients, and long-term survivors may experience late neurotoxicity, impacting quality of life. Given the rarity of this disease, few randomized prospective trials exist. This leaves many questions unanswered regarding optimal first-line and salvage treatments. Recent advances in the knowledge of pathophysiology of CNSL will hopefully help the development of future treatments. This review gives an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of immunocompetent patients with CNSL.

Purpose-Understanding the molecular landscape of glioblastoma (GBM) is increasingly important in the age of targeted therapy. O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation and EGFR amplification are markers that may play a role in prognostication, treatment, and/or clinical trial eligibility. Quantification of MGMT and EGFR protein expression may offer an alternative strategy towards understanding GBM. Here, we quantify baseline expression of MGMT and EGFR protein in newly diagnosed GBM samples using mass spectrometry. We correlate findings with MGMT methylation and EGFR amplification statuses and survival.Methods-We retrospectively identified adult patients with newly diagnosed resected GBM. MGMT and EGFR protein expression were quantified using a selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay. Protein levels were correlated with MGMT methylation and EGFR amplification and survival data.Terms of use and reuse: academic research for non-commercial purposes, see here for full terms. https://www.springer.com/aamterms-v1