Bevacizumab and irinotecan is an effective treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme and has moderate toxicity.

Summary Medulloblastoma is a malignant childhood brain tumour comprising four discrete subgroups. To identify mutations that drive medulloblastoma we sequenced the entire genomes of 37 tumours and matched normal blood. One hundred and thirty-six genes harbouring somatic mutations in this discovery set were sequenced in an additional 56 medulloblastomas. Recurrent mutations were detected in 41 genes not yet implicated in medulloblastoma: several target distinct components of the epigenetic machinery in different disease subgroups, e.g., regulators of H3K27 and H3K4 trimethylation in subgroup-3 and 4 (e.g., KDM6A and ZMYM3), and CTNNB1-associated chromatin remodellers in WNT-subgroup tumours (e.g., SMARCA4 and CREBBP). Modelling of mutations in mouse lower rhombic lip progenitors that generate WNT-subgroup tumours, identified genes that maintain this cell lineage (DDX3X) as well as mutated genes that initiate (CDH1) or cooperate (PIK3CA) in tumourigenesis. These data provide important new insights into the pathogenesis of medulloblastoma subgroups and highlight targets for therapeutic development.

Purpose: Recurrent grade III-IV gliomas have a dismal prognosis with minimal improvements in survival seen following currently available salvage therapy. This study was conducted to determine if the combination of a novel antiangiogenic therapy, bevacizumab, and a cytotoxic agent, irinotecan, is safe and effective for patients with recurrent grade III-IV glioma. Experimental Design: We conducted a phase II trial of bevacizumab and irinotecan in adults with recurrent grade III-IV glioma. Patients with evidence of intracranial hemorrhage on initial brain magnetic resonance imaging were excluded. Patients were scheduled to receive bevacizumab and irinotecan i.v. every 2 weeks of a 6-week cycle. Bevacizumab was administered at 10 mg/kg. The dose of irinotecan was determined based on antiepileptic use: patients taking enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs received 340 mg/m 2 , whereas patients not taking enzymeinducing antiepileptic drugs received 125 mg/m 2 . Toxicity and response were assessed. Results:Thirty-two patients were assessed (23 with grade IV glioma and 9 with grade III glioma). Radiographic responses were noted in 63% (20 of 32) of patients (14 of 23 grade IV patients and 6 of 9 grade III patients).The median progression-free survival was 23 weeks for all patients (95% confidence interval, 15-30 weeks; 20 weeks for grade IV patients and 30 weeks for grade III patients). The 6-month progression-free survival probability was 38% and the 6-month overall survival probability was 72%. No central nervous system hemorrhages occurred, but three patients developed deep venous thromboses or pulmonary emboli, and one patient had an arterial ischemic stroke. Conclusions: The combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan is an active regimen for recurrent grade III-IV glioma with acceptable toxicity.

Background Recurrent medulloblastoma is a daunting therapeutic challenge as it is almost universally fatal. Recent studies confirmed that medulloblastoma comprises four distinct subgroups. We sought to delineate subgroup specific differences in medulloblastoma recurrence patterns. Methods We retrospectively identified a discovery cohort of all recurrent medulloblastomas at the Hospital for Sick Children between 1994-2012, and performed molecular subgrouping on FFPE tissues using a nanoString-based assay. The anatomical site of recurrence (local tumour bed or leptomeningeal metastasis), time to recurrence and survival post-recurrence were determined in a subgroup specific fashion. Subgroup specific recurrence patterns were confirmed in two independent, non-overlapping FFPE validation cohorts. Where possible molecular subgrouping was performed on tissue obtained from both the initial surgery and at recurrence. Results A screening cohort of 30 recurrent medulloblastomas was assembled; nine with local recurrences, and 21 metastatic. When re-analysed in a subgroup specific manner, local recurrences were more frequent in SHH tumours (8/9, 88%) and metastatic recurrences were more common in Group 3 and 4 (17/20 [85%] with one WNT, p=0.0014, local vs metastatic recurrence, SHH vs Group 3 vs Group 4). The subgroup specific location of recurrence was confirmed in a multicenter validation cohort (p=0·0013 for local vs metastatic recurrence SHH vs Group 3 vs Group 4, n=77), and a second independent validation cohort comprising 96 recurrences (p<0·0001 for local vs metastatic recurrence SHH vs Group 3 vs Group 4, n=96). Treatment with craniospinal irradiation at diagnosis was not significantly associated with the anatomical pattern of recurrence. Survival post recurrence was significantly longer in Group 4 patients (p=0·013) as confirmed in a multicenter validation cohort (p=0·0075). Strikingly, subgroup affiliation remained stable at recurrence in all 34 cases with available matched primary and recurrent pairs. Conclusions Medulloblastoma does not switch subgroup at the time of recurrence further highlighting the stability of the four principle medulloblastoma subgroups. Significant differences in the location and timing of recurrence across medulloblastoma subgroups were observed which have potential treatment ramifications. Specifically, intensified local (posterior fossa) therapy should be tested in the initial treatment of SHH patients. Refinement of therapy for Groups 3 and 4 should focus on the metastatic compartment, as it is the near universal cause of patient deaths.

Purpose Two phase II studies assessed the efficacy of vismodegib, a sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway inhibitor that binds smoothened (SMO), in pediatric and adult recurrent medulloblastoma (MB). Patients and Methods Adult patients enrolled onto PBTC-025B and pediatric patients enrolled onto PBTC-032 were treated with vismodegib (150 to 300 mg/d). Protocol-defined response, which had to be sustained for 8 weeks, was confirmed by central neuroimaging review. Molecular tests to identify patterns of response and insensitivity were performed when tissue was available. Results A total of 31 patients were enrolled onto PBTC-025B, and 12 were enrolled onto PBTC-032. Three patients in PBTC-025B and one in PBTC-032, all with SHH-subgroup MB (SHH-MB), exhibited protocol-defined responses. Progression-free survival (PFS) was longer in those with SHH-MB than in those with non-SHH–MB, and prolonged disease stabilization occurred in 41% of patient cases of SHH-MB. Among those with SHH-MB, loss of heterozygosity of PTCH1 was associated with prolonged PFS, and diffuse staining of P53 was associated with reduced PFS. Whole-exome sequencing identified mutations in SHH genes downstream from SMO in four of four tissue samples from nonresponders and upstream of SMO in two of four patients with favorable responses. Conclusion Vismodegib exhibits activity against adult recurrent SHH-MB but not against recurrent non-SHH–MB. Inadequate accrual of pediatric patients precluded conclusions in this population. Molecular analyses support the hypothesis that SMO inhibitor activity depends on the genomic aberrations within the tumor. Such inhibitors should be advanced in SHH-MB studies; however, molecular and genomic work remains imperative to identify target populations that will truly benefit.

SummaryBackgroundIncomplete surgical resection of medulloblastoma is controversially considered a marker of high-risk disease; driving aggressive surgical resections, “second-look” surgeries, and/or intensified chemoradiotherapy. All prior publications evaluating the clinical importance of extent of resection (EOR) failed to account for molecular subgroup. We analysed the prognostic value of EOR across 787 medulloblastoma samples in a subgroup-specific manner.MethodsWe retrospectively identified patients from Medulloblastoma Advanced Genomics International Consortium (MAGIC) centres with a histological diagnosis of medulloblastoma and complete extent of resection and survival data. Specimens were collected from 35 international institutions. Medulloblastoma subgroup affiliation was determined using nanoString gene expression profiling on frozen or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Extent of resection (EOR) based on post-operative imaging was classified as gross total (GTR), near total (NTR, <1·5cm2), or subtotal (STR, ≥ 1·5cm2). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) multivariable analyses including subgroup, age, metastatic status, geographical location of therapy (North America/Australia vs world), and adjuvant therapy regimen were performed. The primary endpoint was the impact of surgical EOR by molecular subgroup and other clinical variables on OS and PFS.Findings787 medulloblastoma patients (86 WNT, 242 SHH, 163 Group 3, and 296 Group 4) were included in a multivariable Cox model of PFS and OS. The marked benefit of EOR in the overall cohort was greatly attenuated after including molecular subgroup in the multivariable analysis. There was an observed PFS benefit of GTR over STR (hazard ration [HR] 1·45, 95% CI; 1·07–1·96, p=0·02) but there was no observed PFS or OS benefit of GTR over NTR (HR 1·05, 0·71–1·53, p=0·82 and HR 1·14, 0·75–1·72, p=0.55). There was no statistically significant survival benefit to greater EOR for patients with WNT, SHH, or Group 3 patients (HR 1·03, 0·67–1·58, p=0·9 for STR vs. GTR). There was a PFS benefit for GTR over STR in patients with Group 4 medulloblastoma (HR1·97, 1·22–3·17, p=0·01), particularly those with metastatic disease (HR 2·22, 1–4·93, p=0·05). A nomogram based on this multivariable cox proportional hazards model shows the comparably smaller impact of EOR on relative risk for PFS and OS than subgroup affiliation, metastatic status, radiation dose, and adjuvant chemotherapy.InterpretationThe prognostic benefit of EOR for patients with medulloblastoma is attenuated after accounting for molecular subgroup affiliation. Although maximal safe surgical resection should remain the standard of care, surgical removal of small residual portions of medulloblastoma is not recommended when the likelihood of neurological morbidity is high as there is no definitive benefit to GTR over NTR. Our results suggest a re-evaluation of the long-term implications of intensified craniospinal irradiation (36 Gy) in children with small residual portions of medullobla...

Selumetinib has promising antitumor activity in children with LGG. Rash and mucositis were the most common DLTs.

A B S T R A C T PurposeThis phase II trial was designed to define the role of O 6 -benzylguanine (O 6 -BG) in restoring temozolomide sensitivity in patients with recurrent or progressive, temozolomide-resistant malignant glioma and to evaluate the safety of administering O 6 -BG in combination with temozolomide. Patients and MethodsPatients were accrued into two independent strata on the basis of histology: glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and anaplastic glioma. Both temozolomide and O 6 -BG were administered on day 1 of a 28-day treatment cycle. Patients were administered a 1-hour O 6 -BG infusion at a dose of 120 mg/m 2 followed immediately by a 48-hour infusion at a dose of 30 mg/m 2 /d. Temozolomide was administered orally within 60 minutes of the end of the 1-hour O 6 -BG infusion at a dose of 472 mg/m 2 . The primary end point was objective response rate. Secondary end points included progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety. ResultsSixty-six of 67 patients who enrolled were treated with temozolomide and O 6 -BG. One of 34 patients (3%) with GBM (95% CI, 0.1% to 15%) and five of 32 assessable patients (16%) with anaplastic glioma (95% CI, 5% to 33%) were responders. The most commonly reported adverse events were grade 4 hematologic events experienced in 48% of the patients. ConclusionO 6 -BG when added to a 1-day dosing regimen of temozolomide was able to restore temozolomide sensitivity in patients with temozolomide-resistant anaplastic glioma, but there seemed to be no significant restoration of temozolomide sensitivity in patients with temozolomide-resistant GBM.