Clinical and molecular characterization of isolated M1 disease in pediatric medulloblastoma: experience from the German HIT-MED studies

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical impact of isolated spread of medulloblastoma cells into cerebrospinal fluid without additional macroscopic metastases (M1-only).

Methods

The HIT-MED database was searched for pediatric patients with M1-only medulloblastoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2019. Corresponding clinical and molecular data was evaluated. Treatment was stratified by age and changed over time for older patients.

Results

70 patients with centrally reviewed M1-only disease were identified. Clinical data was available for all and molecular data for 45/70 cases. 91% were non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma (Grp3/4).

5-year PFS for 52 patients ≥ 4 years was 59.4 (± 7.1) %, receiving either upfront craniospinal irradiation (CSI) or SKK-sandwich chemotherapy (CT). Outcomes did not differ between these strategies (5-year PFS: CSI 61.7 ± 9.9%, SKK-CT 56.7 ± 6.1%). For patients < 4 years (n = 18), 5-year PFS was 50.0 (± 13.2) %. M1-persistence occurred exclusively using postoperative CT and was a strong negative predictive factor (p_PFS/OS < 0.01).

Patients with additional clinical or molecular high-risk (HR) characteristics had worse outcomes (5-year PFS 42.7 ± 10.6% vs. 64.0 ± 7.0%, p = 0.03). In n = 22 patients ≥ 4 years with full molecular information and without additional HR characteristics, risk classification by molecular subtyping had an effect on 5-year PFS (HR 16.7 ± 15.2%, SR 77.8 ± 13.9%; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our results confirm that M1-only is a high-risk condition, and further underline the importance of CSF staging. Specific risk stratification of affected patients needs attention in future discussions for trials and treatment recommendations. Future patients without contraindications may benefit from upfront CSI by sparing risks related to higher cumulative CT applied in sandwich regimen.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11060-021-03913-5.

Refining M1 stage in medulloblastoma: criteria for cerebrospinal fluid cytology and implications for improved risk stratification from the HIT-2000 trial

BACKGROUND

Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant paediatric brain tumour, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination (M1 stage) is a high-risk prognostic factor. Criteria for CSF evaluation and for differentiating M0 from M1 stage are not clearly defined, and the prognostic significance of M1 stage in this context is unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CSF investigations from 405 patients with medulloblastoma of the prospective multicenter trial HIT-2000 (HIirnTumor-2000) were reviewed. Data from 213 patients aged ≥4 years were related to 5-year progression-free (5y-PFS) and overall survival.

RESULTS

Patients with cytological tumour dissemination only (M1 stage only) aged ≥4 years (n = 18) and patients with radiologically detected metastases (M2/3, n = 85) showed a worse 5y-PFS than M0 patients (n = 110) without signs of metastatic disease (5y-PFS 61.1% and 59.6% vs 80.7%; p < 0.02 and p < 0.01, log rank). Patients with positive samples drawn early after surgery who turned negative within 14 days postoperatively (n = 9) and patients with atypical cells (n = 6) showed a 5y-PFS similar to M0 patients. No tumour cells were detected in samples containing <10 nucleated cells. Analysis of cytological criteria showed a better predictive value for tumour cell clusters than ≥2 individual tumour cells.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results, we suggest that CSF medulloblastoma staging should be performed 14 days postoperatively by lumbar puncture, and specimens should contain at least 10 nucleated cells. Cytological tumour dissemination alone (M1 stage only) appears a high-risk prognostic factor associated with an outcome comparable to M2/M3 stage. Tumour cell clusters seem to have a greater impact on prognosis than single tumour cells. This should be validated further.

A de novo paradigm for male infertility

De novo mutations are known to play a prominent role in sporadic disorders with reduced fitness. We hypothesize that de novo mutations play an important role in severe male infertility and explain a portion of the genetic causes of this understudied disorder. To test this hypothesis, we utilize trio-based exome sequencing in a cohort of 185 infertile males and their unaffected parents. Following a systematic analysis, 29 of 145 rare (MAF < 0.1%) protein-altering de novo mutations are classified as possibly causative of the male infertility phenotype. We observed a significant enrichment of loss-of-function de novo mutations in loss-of-function-intolerant genes (p-value = 1.00 × 10^-5) in infertile men compared to controls. Additionally, we detected a significant increase in predicted pathogenic de novo missense mutations affecting missense-intolerant genes (p-value = 5.01 × 10^-4) in contrast to predicted benign de novo mutations. One gene we identify, RBM5, is an essential regulator of male germ cell pre-mRNA splicing and has been previously implicated in male infertility in mice. In a follow-up study, 6 rare pathogenic missense mutations affecting this gene are observed in a cohort of 2,506 infertile patients, whilst we find no such mutations in a cohort of 5,784 fertile men (p-value = 0.03). Our results provide evidence for the role of de novo mutations in severe male infertility and point to new candidate genes affecting fertility.

Bi-allelic variants in DNA mismatch repair proteins MutS Homolog MSH4 and MSH5 cause infertility in both sexes

STUDY QUESTION

Do bi-allelic variants in the genes encoding the MSH4/MSH5 heterodimer cause male infertility?

SUMMARY ANSWER

We detected biallelic, (likely) pathogenic variants in MSH5 (4 men) and MSH4 (3 men) in six azoospermic men, demonstrating that genetic variants in these genes are a relevant cause of male infertility.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

MSH4 and MSH5 form a heterodimer, which is required for prophase of meiosis I. One variant in MSH5 and two variants in MSH4 have been described as causal for premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) in a total of five women, resulting in infertility. Recently, pathogenic variants in MSH4 have been reported in infertile men. So far, no pathogenic variants in MSH5 had been described in males.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We utilized exome data from 1305 men included in the Male Reproductive Genomics (MERGE) study, including 90 males with meiotic arrest (MeiA). Independently, exome sequencing was performed in a man with MeiA from a large consanguineous family.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Assuming an autosomal-recessive mode of inheritance, we screened the exome data for rare, biallelic coding variants in MSH4 and MSH5. If possible, segregation analysis in the patients' families was performed. The functional consequences of identified loss-of-function (LoF) variants in MSH5 were studied using heterologous expression of the MSH5 protein in HEK293T cells. The point of arrest during meiosis was determined by γH2AX staining.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We report for the first time (likely) pathogenic, homozygous variants in MSH5 causing infertility in 2 out of 90 men with MeiA and overall in 4 out of 902 azoospermic men. Additionally, we detected biallelic variants in MSH4 in two men with MeiA and in the sister of one proband with POI. γH2AX staining revealed an arrest in early prophase of meiosis I in individuals with pathogenic MSH4 or MSH5 variants. Heterologous in vitro expression of the detected LoF variants in MSH5 showed that the variant p.(Ala620GlnTer9) resulted in MSH5 protein truncation and the variant p.(Ser26GlnfsTer42) resulted in a complete loss of MSH5.

LARGE SCALE DATA

All variants have been submitted to ClinVar (SCV001468891-SCV001468896 and SCV001591030) and can also be accessed in the Male Fertility Gene Atlas (MFGA).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

By selecting for variants in MSH4 and MSH5, we were able to determine the cause of infertility in six men and one woman, leaving most of the examined individuals without a causal diagnosis.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our findings have diagnostic value by increasing the number of genes associated with non-obstructive azoospermia with high clinical validity. The analysis of such genes has prognostic consequences for assessing whether men with azoospermia would benefit from a testicular biopsy. We also provide further evidence that MeiA in men and POI in women share the same genetic causes.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was carried out within the frame of the German Research Foundation sponsored Clinical Research Unit 'Male Germ Cells: from Genes to Function' (DFG, CRU326), and supported by institutional funding of the Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction and Development and funds from the LucaBella Foundation. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Cerebral Infarction in Childhood-Onset Craniopharyngioma Patients: Results of KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007

Background

Cerebral infarction (CI) is a known vascular complication following treatment of suprasellar tumors. Risk factors for CI, incidence rate, and long-term prognosis are unknown for patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP).

Methods

MRI of 244 CP patients, recruited between 2007 and 2019 in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007, were reviewed for CI. Risk factors for CI and outcome after CI were analyzed.

Results

Twenty-eight of 244 patients (11%) presented with CI based on reference assessment of MRI. One CI occurred before initial surgery and one case of CI occurred after release of intracystic pressure by a cyst catheter. 26 of 28 CI were detected after surgical tumor resection at a median postoperative interval of one day (range: 0.5-53 days). Vascular lesions during surgical procedures were documented in 7 cases with CI. No relevant differences with regard to surgical approaches were found. In all 12 irradiated patients, CI occurred before irradiation. Multivariable analyses showed that hydrocephalus and gross-total resection at the time of primary diagnosis/surgery both were risk factors for CI. After CI, quality of life (PEDQOL) and functional capacity (FMH) were impaired.

Conclusions

CI occurs in 11% of surgically-treated CP cases. Degree of resection and increased intracranial pressure are risk factors, which should be considered in the planning of surgical procedures for prevention of CI.

Cerebral Infarction in Childhood-Onset Craniopharyngioma Patients - Results of KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007

Purpose: Cerebral infarction (CI) represents a vascular complication following treatment of suprasellar tumors. Risk factors for CI, incidence rate, and long-term prognosis are unknown for patients with childhood-onset craniopharyngioma (CP). Methods: MRI of 242 CP patients, recruited 2007-2019 in KRANIOPHARYNGEOM 2007, were reviewed for CI. Risk factors for CI and outcome after CI were analyzed. Results: Twenty-eight of 242 patients (11%) presented with CI based on reference assessment of MRI. One CI occurred before initial surgery and one case of CI after release of pressure via intracystic catheter. 26 of 28 CI were detected after CP resecting surgical procedures at a median postoperative interval of one day (range: 0.5-53 days). Surgical intraoperative vascular lesions were documented in 7 cases with CI. There was a trend (p=0.069) towards higher initial presurgical tumor volume in CI patients (21.7 cm³, range: 0.01-187.6 cm³) compared with non-CI patients (15.5 cm³, range: 0.01-286.3 cm³). The CI rate was lower in cases operated via transsphenoidal approach (4%) when compared with transcranial approach (13%). CP patient load of neurosurgical centers as a potential measure of surgical expertise was not associated with CI. In 12 irradiated patients, CI occurred before irradiation in all cases. Multivariate analyses showed that hydrocephalus and gross-total resection (GTR) at the time of primary diagnosis/surgery were independent risk factors for CI. Two-years progression-free survival rate was lower (p=0.023) after CI (0.310±0.095) when compared with the subgroup of patients without CI (0.604±0.034). After CI, quality of life (PEDQOL) and functional capacity (FMH) were impaired when compared with patients without CI. Conclusions: CI occurs in about 11% of CP cases mainly after surgery. Degree of resection and increased intracranial pressure are risk factors, which should be considered in the planning of surgical procedures for prevention of CI.

Treatment of Embryonal Tumours with Multilayered Rosettes with Carboplatin/Etoposide Induction and High-dose Chemotherapy within the Prospective P-HIT Trial

BACKGROUND

Embryonal tumours with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) are highly aggressive tumours occurring in early childhood. Published clinical data refer to retrospective, heterogeneously treated cohorts. Here, we describe the outcome of patients treated according to the prospective P-HIT trial and subsequent HIT2000-interim-registry.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Age-stratified treatment included carboplatin/etoposide-induction, tandem-high-dose chemotherapy ("CARBO/ETO+HDCT") and response-stratified radiotherapy. Patients with centrally reviewed neuropathological and molecularly confirmed diagnosis of ETMR recruited within the P-HIT trial (2001-2011; n=19), the HIT2000-interim-registry (2012-2014; n=12) and earlier HIT-trials (n=4) were selected for analysis.

RESULTS

Age-adjusted incidence rate was 1.35 per 1 million children (aged 1-4 years) in the years 2012-2014. Median age at diagnosis for 35 patients was 2.9 years. Metastases at diagnosis were detected in 9 patients. One patient died due to postoperative complications. For 30 patients with non-brainstem tumour location, 5-year progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 35% and 47% after treatment with CARBO/ETO+HDCT (n=17), compared to 0% and 8% with other treatments (n=13, p[OS]=0.011). All 4 patients with brainstem tumour died within 10 months after diagnosis. By multivariable analysis, supratentorial location: (HR[PFS]:0.07 [95%CI:0.01-0.38], p=0.003), localised disease (M0): (HR[OS] M0, no residual tumor:0.30 [95%CI:0.009-1.09], p=0.068; M0, residual tumor:0.18 [95%CI: 0.04-0.76], p=0.020) and CARBO/ETO+HDCT treatment (HR[OS]:0.16 [95%CI:0.05-054], p=0.003) were identified as independent prognostic factors. Of 9 survivors, 6 were treated with radiotherapy (craniospinal 4; local 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate improved survival with intensified chemotherapy (CARBO/ETO+HDCT). However, despite intensive treatment, the outcome was poor. Thus, innovative therapies need to be evaluated urgently in an upfront setting.

Medulloblastoma in Adults: Cytogenetic Phenotypes Identify Prognostic Subgroups

Adult medulloblastomas (MB) are rare. We investigated the genetic landscape and prognostic impact of genetic aberrations in a cohort of 117 adult medulloblastomas. Histological features and pathway activation were evaluated at the protein level; 14.5% showed wingless-type activation, 63.3% SHH activation, and 22.2% were classified as non-WNT/non-SHH-MB. Genome-wide copy number analysis was performed by molecular inversion probe array technology. MB-related genes were sequenced in WNT- and SHH-activated MBs. 79.7% of SHH-MBs showed desmoplastic/nodular histology; all other MBs had classic histology. WNT-MBs carried oncogenic CTNNB1 mutations in 88.2% and had monosomy 6 in 52.9%. In SHH-MBs, TERT promoter mutations occurred in 97%, mutations in PTCH1 in 38.2%, SMO in 15.5%, SUFU in 7.4%, and TP53-mutations in 4.1%. In all, 84.6% of non-WNT/non-SHH-MBs had an isochromosome 17q. A whole chromosomal aberration (WCA) signature was present in 45.1% of SHH-TP53-wild type (wt)-MBs and 65.4% of non-WNT/non-SHH-MBs. In 98 cases with survival data, WNT-MBs had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 68.6%. SHH-MBs TP53wt type and non-WNT/non-SHH-MBs showed 5-year OS of 80.4% and 70.8%, respectively. TP53-mutant SHH-MBs represented a prognostically unfavorable entity; all patients died within 5 years. Patients with a WCA signature showed significantly increased OS (p = 0.011 for SHH-TP53wt-MBs and p = 0.048 for non-WNT/non-SHH-MBs).

Nuchal Skinfold Thickness in Pediatric Brain Tumor Patients

BACKGROUND

Severe obesity and tumor relapse/progression have impact on long-term prognosis in pediatric brain tumor patients.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed nuchal skinfold thickness (NST) on magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up monitoring as a parameter for assessment of nuchal adipose tissue in 177 brain tumor patients (40 World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1-2 brain tumor; 31 grade 3-4 brain tumor; 106 craniopharyngioma), and 53 healthy controls. Furthermore, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio, caliper-measured skinfold thickness, and blood pressure were analyzed for association with NST.

RESULTS

Craniopharyngioma patients showed higher NST, BMI, waist-to-height ratio, and caliper-measured skinfold thickness when compared to other brain tumors and healthy controls. WHO grade 1-2 brain tumor patients were observed with higher BMI, waist circumference and triceps caliper-measured skinfold thickness when compared to WHO grade 3-4 brain tumor patients. NST correlated with BMI, waist-to-height ratio, and caliper-measured skinfold thickness. NST, BMI and waist-to-height ratio were associated with increased blood pressure. In craniopharyngioma patients with hypothalamic involvement/lesion or gross-total resection, rate and degree of obesity were increased.

CONCLUSIONS

NST could serve as a novel useful marker for regional nuchal adipose tissue. NST is highly associated with body mass and waist-to-height ratio, and easily measurable in routine MRI monitoring of brain tumor patients.

MBCL-09. ISOLATED M1 METASTASES IN PEDIATRIC MEDULLOBLASTOMA: IS POSTOPERATIVE RADIOTHERAPY FOLLOWED BY MAINTENANCE CHEMOTHERAPY SUPERIOR TO POSTOPERATIVE SANDWICH-CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY?

BACKGROUND

Impact of isolated spread into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is still not investigated comprehensively for childhood medulloblastoma and the best therapeutic strategy is currently unclear. MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Sixty-six patients with isolated M1-MB registered to the HIT-MED-database from 2000–2018 were identified. CSF and MRI were centrally reviewed for all patients. Patients were stratified by age and either treated with upfront craniospinal irradiation (CSI) followed by maintenance chemotherapy (CT) or with postoperative CT and delayed CSI.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were non-infants ≥4 years and seventeen were infants <4 years. Median age was 7.3y (1.1–18.0). 83.3% were histologically classified as CMB, 12.1% as LCA-MB and 4.6% as DMB. Molecular subgroup was Gr.3 in 25.8%, Gr.4 in 28.8%, SHH in 4.5%, WNT in 1.5% and not evaluated for 39.4%. Lumbar puncture was performed on median postoperative day 19 (range: 14–77). Median follow-up for survivors was 7.6y (range: 1.2–15.9). The whole cohort showed a 3y- and 5y-PFS of 68.0(±6.0) and 60.0(±6.5)%, while OS was 79.1(±5.2) and 72.9(± 5.9)%. 10y-OS was 54.4(±7.5). Patients with upfront CSI had more favourable outcomes (5y-PFS 66.1 vs. 55.8% [p=0.119]; 5y-OS 90.6 vs. 64.5% [p=0.035]). The trend towards improved survival in patients with postoperative CSI was retained when only non-infants were considered (p_PFS=0.176, p_OS=0.055). M1-persistence occurred exclusively in patients with postoperative CT.

CONCLUSION

Isolated M1-MB is rare. Patients without contraindication for CSI appear to benefit from treatment by upfront CSI followed by maintenance CT, while cumulative CT-doses would be reduced compared to sandwich strategies.

PATH-07. QUALITY ASSURANCE IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID CYTOLOGY ASSESSMENT FOR MEDULLOBLASTOMA STAGING LEADS TO POTENTIAL IMPROVED RISK-GROUP ASSESSMENT IN THE PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTER HIT-2000 TRIAL

BACKGROUND

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination of medulloblastoma (M1 stage) is a high-risk prognostic factor. However, because diagnostic criteria for M1 staging are missing we specified process-related and cytomorphological parameters influencing the predictive value of the CSF status.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CSF samples and cytology reports from 405 medulloblastoma patients of the prospective multicenter trial HIT-2000 were reviewed and related to 5-year progression free survival (5y-PFS).

RESULTS

Tumor cells were detected in 237/1073 CSF cytospins. M1-patients and M2/3 patients with radiologically detected metastases showed a worse 5y-PFS than M0 patients (54% and 52% vs. 76%; p=0.01 and p&lt;0.001). Lumbar sampling was more sensitive than ventricular sampling. M0 diagnosed specimens containing &gt;50% lytic cells and/or less than 10 nucleated cells showed a decreased 5y-PFS (61%). Further investigation of cytological parameters revealed a poor outcome for cases harboring &gt; 3 tumor cell clusters and individual tumor cells (5y-PFS 33%) vs. cases with ≥ 2 individual tumor cells but no clusters (5y-PFS 61%). In bi-variable Cox-regression, ≥ 2 vs. 0 or 1 tumor cells were associated with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 0.52 (95%-Confidence Interval (CI): 0.12, 2.30; p=0.39), whereas &gt; 3 vs. no tumor cell clusters were associated with a HR of 8.94 (95%-CI: 1.66, 48.22; p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

CSF staging in medulloblastoma should comprise lumbar specimens with &lt;50% lytic cells and a minimum of 10 nucleated cells. The predictive value of CSF cytology in M1 cases may predominantly depend on tumor cell clusters. The latter finding needs to be confirmed in prospective trials.

MBCL-07. NON-METASTATIC MEDULLOBLASTOMA OF EARLY CHILDHOOD: RESULTS FROM THE PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL TRIAL HIT-2000 AND AN EXTENDED VALIDATION COHORT

OBJECTIVE

To avoid craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in children younger than four years with non-metastatic medulloblastoma by chemotherapy, intraventricular methotrexate and risk-adapted local radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eighty-seven patients received systemic chemotherapy and intraventricular methotrexate. Until 2006, CSI was reserved for non-response or progression. After 2006, local radiotherapy was introduced for non-responders or classic (CMB), anaplastic or large-cell medulloblastoma (LCA). Infantile SHH-activated medulloblastomas (SHH_INF) were subdivided by DNA-methylation profiling. Survival in SHH_INF subtypes were also assessed in a validation cohort (n=71).

RESULTS

Patients with desmoplastic medulloblastoma (DMB) or medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN) (n=42) had 93% 5-year PFS, 100% 5-year OS and 93% 5-year CSI-free survival. Patients with CMB/LCA (n=45) had 37% 5y-PFS, 62% 5y-OS and 39% 5y-CSI-free survival. Local radiotherapy did not improve survival in CMB/LCA patients. All DMB/MBEN assessed by DNA methylation profiling belonged to the SHH_INF subgroup. Group 3 patients (5y-PFS 36% [n=14]) relapsed more frequently than SHH_INF (5y-PFS 93% [n=28]) or Group 4 patients (5y-PFS 83% [n=6], p<0.001). SHH_INF split into iSHH-I and iSHH-II subtypes in HIT-2000-BIS4 and the validation cohort, without prognostic impact (5y-PFS: iSHH-I 73% vs. iSHH-II 83%, p=0.25, n=99). Mean IQ was 90 (radiotherapy-free survivors) vs. 74 (patients that received CSI) [p=0.012].

CONCLUSION

Systemic chemotherapy and intraventricular methotrexate led to favorable survival in both iSHH-subtypes of SHH-activated DMB/MBEN with acceptable neurotoxicity. Survival in non-WNT/non-SHH CMB/LCA patients was not improved by local radiotherapy. Survival was more favorable in patients with Group 4 than in patients with Group 3 medulloblastoma.

ETMR-14. TREATMENT OF EMBRYONAL TUMOURS WITH MULTILAYERED ROSETTES (ETMR) WITH CARBOPLATIN-ETOPOSIDE INDUCTION AND TANDEM HIGH-DOSE CHEMOTHERAPY WITHIN THE PROSPECTIVE HIT-TRIALS AND REGISTRIES

BACKGROUND

Embryonal tumours with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) are highly aggressive tumors, mostly occurring in infants. Published clinical data refer to retrospective cohorts of inhomogeneously treated patients. Here, we describe the outcome of patients, who were prospectively treated within the P-HIT2000-trial, the subsequent HIT2000-interim-registry and earlier HIT-trials.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients from the P-HIT2000-trial (2001–2011), 12 patients from the subsequent HIT2000-interim-registry (2012–2014) and 4 patients from earlier HIT-trials with centrally reviewed neuropathological and molecularly-confirmed diagnosis of ETMR were included. Outcome of 18 patients treated with carboplatin-etoposide-induction followed by tandem-high-dose chemotherapy (“CARBO-ETO+HDCT”) with stage-stratified radiotherapy administered in case of persistant disease, relapse or progression were compared to patients treated with HIT-SKK chemotherapy ± radiotherapy (n=9) or other regimens (n=8).

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 2.9(1.0–5.3) years. Metastases at diagnosis were detected in 9 patients (26%). For the entire cohort of n=35, 5-year overall survival (OS) was 26.7%, and progression-free survival (PFS) was 18.5%. Five-year OS for patients with CARBO-ETO+HDCT, SKK chemotherapy or other regimens was 44.4%, 13.0% and 0%, respectively (p=0.006). Five-year PFS was 33.3%, 0% and 0%, respectively (p=0.119). Of 10 survivors, n=8 were treated with CARBO-ETO+HDCT; n=4 had craniospinal, n=2 local and n=4 no radiotherapy. Impact of initial gross-total-resection (p=0.231) and non-metastatic disease (p=0.097) was limited.

CONCLUSIONS

We show improved survival with carboplatin-etoposide-induction followed by tandem-high-dose chemotherapy, indicating that a cure is possible for some patients. However, despite intensive treatment, outcome is unsatisfactory and innovative therapies urgently need to be included in an upfront setting.

Mutations in the stromal antigen 3 (STAG3) gene cause male infertility due to meiotic arrest

STUDY QUESTION

Are sequence variants in the stromal antigen 3 (STAG3) gene a cause for non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in infertile human males?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Sequence variants affecting protein function of STAG3 cause male infertility due to meiotic arrest.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In both women and men, STAG3 encodes for a meiosis-specific protein that is crucial for the functionality of meiotic cohesin complexes. Sequence variants in STAG3 have been reported to cause meiotic arrest in male and female mice and premature ovarian failure in human females, but not in infertile human males so far.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

The full coding region of STAG3 was sequenced directly in a cohort of 28 men with NOA due to meiotic arrest. In addition, a larger group of 275 infertile men that underwent whole-exome sequencing (WES) was screened for potential STAG3 sequence variants. Furthermore, meiotic spreads, immunohistochemistry, WES and population sampling probability (PSAP) have been conducted in the index case.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

This study included 28 infertile but otherwise healthy human males who underwent Sanger sequencing of the full coding region of STAG3. Additionally, WES data of 275 infertile human males with different infertility phenotypes have been screened for relevant STAG3 variants. All participants underwent karyotype analysis and azoospermia factor (AZF) screening in advance. In the index patient, segregation analysis, WES data, PSAP, lab parameters, testis histology and nuclear spreads have been added to suplort the findings.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Two compound-heterozygous variants in STAG3 (c.[1262T>G];[1312C>T], p.[(Leu421Arg)];[(Arg438Ter)]) have been found to cause male infertility due to complete bilateral meiotic arrest in an otherwise healthy human male. Compound heterozygosity was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of the parents and the patient's brother. Other variants which may affect spermatogenesis have been ruled out through analysis of the patient's WES data and application of the PSAP pipeline. As expected from Stag3 knockout-mice meiotic spreads, germ cells did not develop further than zygotene and showed drastic chromosome aberrations. No rare variants in STAG3 were found in the 275 infertile males with other phenotypes. Our results indicate that STAG3 variants that negatively affect its protein function are a rare cause of NOA (<1% of cases).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

We identified only one patient with compound-heterozygous variants in STAG3 causing NOA due to meiotic arrest. Future studies should evaluate STAG3 variants in larger cohorts to support this finding.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Identification of STAG3 sequence variants in infertile human males should improve genetic counselling as well as diagnostics and treatment. Especially before testicular sperm extraction (TESE) for ICSI, STAG3 variants should be ruled out to prevent unnecessary interventions with frustrating outcomes for both patients and clinicians.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was carried out within the frame of the German Research Foundation (DFG) Clinical Research Unit 'Male Germ Cells: from Genes to Function' (CRU326). Work in the laboratory of R.J. is supported by a grant of the European Union H2020 program GermAge. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Not applicable.

Seventy-five volumes of "Die Pharmazie" - a historical review

The journal "Die Pharmazie" was founded shortly after World War II in the German Sovjet occupation zone, and made its way to the leading pharmaceutical journal in the German Democratic Republic. From the early 1960s, and under the editorial responsibility of Siegfried Pfeifer (1961-1993) and Rudolf Voigt (1961-1988), the journal continuously increased its reputation and reached its present status of a peer reviewed international journal. Pfeifer served the journal as an editor-in-chief for 32 years in total. Other long-time editors were Peter Pflegel (1989-2012) and Theodor Dingermann (since 1994). Between 1946 and 2019 more than 12.000 manuscripts from almost 120 countries were published. From the very beginning up to the present day, "Die Pharmazie" has been accepting papers from all the pharmaceutical disciplines. The journal made history by publishing the first description of the thin layer chromatography technique and personal accounts of Arthur Eichengrün, personally involved in the discovery of aspirin.

Nonmetastatic Medulloblastoma of Early Childhood: Results From the Prospective Clinical Trial HIT-2000 and An Extended Validation Cohort

PURPOSE

The HIT-2000-BIS4 trial aimed to avoid highly detrimental craniospinal irradiation (CSI) in children < 4 years of age with nonmetastatic medulloblastoma by systemic chemotherapy, intraventricular methotrexate, and risk-adapted local radiotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2001-2011, 87 patients received systemic chemotherapy and intraventricular methotrexate. Until 2006, CSI was reserved for nonresponse or progression. After 2006, local radiotherapy was introduced for nonresponders or patients with classic medulloblastoma (CMB) or large-cell/anaplastic medulloblastoma (LCA). DNA methylation profiles of infantile sonic hedgehog-activated medulloblastoma (SHH-INF) were subdivided into iSHH-I and iSHH-II subtypes in the HIT-2000-BIS4 cohort and a validation cohort (n = 71) from the HIT group and Russia.

RESULTS

Five years after diagnosis, patients with desmoplastic medulloblastoma (DMB) or medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN; n = 42) had 93% progression-free survival (5y-PFS), 100% overall survival (5y-OS), and 93% CSI-free (5y-CSI-free) survival. Patients with CMB/LCA (n = 45) had 37% 5y-PFS, 62% 5y-OS, and 39% 5y-CSI-free survival. Local radiotherapy did not improve survival in patients with CMB/LCA. All DMB/MBEN assessed by DNA methylation profiling belonged to the SHH-INF subgroup. Group 3 patients (5y-PFS, 36%; n = 14) relapsed more frequently than the SHH-INF group (5y-PFS, 93%; n = 28) or group 4 patients (5y-PFS, 83%; n = 6; P < .001). SHH-INF split into iSHH-I and iSHH-II subtypes in HIT-2000-BIS4 and the validation cohort, without prognostic impact (5y-PFS: iSHH-I, 73%, v iSHH-II, 83%; P = .25; n = 99). Intelligence quotient (IQ) was significantly lower in patients after CSI (mean IQ, 90 [no radiotherapy], v 74 [CSI]; P = .012).

CONCLUSION

Systemic chemotherapy and intraventricular methotrexate led to favorable survival in both iSHH subtypes of SHH-activated DMB/MBEN with acceptable neurotoxicity. Survival in patients with non-wingless (WNT)/non-SHH disease with CMB/LCA was not improved by local radiotherapy. Patients with group 4 disease had more favorable survival rates than those with group 3 medulloblastoma.

Uptake routes of microplastics in fishes: practical and theoretical approaches to test existing theories

Microplastics are frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of aquatic organisms worldwide. A number of active and passive pathways have been suggested for fish, including the confusion of microplastic particles with prey, accidental uptake while foraging and transfer through the food chain, but a holistic understanding of influencing factors is still lacking. The aim of the study was to investigate frequently suggested theories and identify relevant biotic factors, as well as certain plastic properties, affecting microplastic intake in fish. Four species of freshwater fish, each representing a different combination of foraging style (visual/chemosensory) and domestic status (wild/farmed) were exposed to different realistic plastic concentrations and polymer types with and without the provision of genuine food. As most previous investigations of microplastic uptake routes consider only particles large enough to be perceptible to fish, the potential for accidental intake via drinking water has been somewhat neglected. This route is evaluated in the current study using a model approach. The results show that visually oriented fish forage actively on microplastic particles that optically resemble their usual food, while fish with a predominantly chemosensory foraging style are more able to discriminate inedible food items. Even so, the accidental uptake of microplastics while foraging is shown to be relevant pathway, occurring frequently in both visual and chemosensory foragers alike. Several factors were shown to increase plastic uptake, including microplastic concentration in the water, foraging behaviour promoted by availability of genuine food, and fish size. Although both wild and farmed fish ingested microplastic particles, cultured fish showed less discernment in terms of colour and were more likely to forage actively on microplastics when no food was available. Drinking has been identified as a possible source of microplastic intake specifically for large marine fish species. Particles smaller than <5 µm can pass the gastrointestinal tract wall and bioaccumulation could arise when uptake exceeds release or when particles are assimilated in tissues or organs. The effects of accumulation may be significant, especially in long-living species, with implications for food web transfer and fish as food items.

Treatment of children under 4 years of age with medulloblastoma and ependymoma in the HIT2000/HIT-REZ 2005 trials: Neuropsychological outcome 5 years after treatment

Young children with brain tumours are at high risk of developing treatment-related sequelae. We aimed to assess neuropsychological outcomes 5 years after treatment. This cross-sectional study included children under 4 years of age with medulloblastoma (MB) or ependymoma (EP) enrolled in the German brain tumour trials HIT2000 and HIT-REZ2005. Testing was performed using the validated Wuerzburg Intelligence Diagnostics (WUEP-D), which includes Kaufman-Assessment-Battery, Coloured Progressive Matrices, Visual-Motor Integration, finger tapping “Speed”, and the Continuous Performance Test. Of 104 patients in 47 centres, 72 were eligible for analyses. We assessed whether IQ was impacted by disease extent, disease location, patient age, gender, age at surgery, and treatment (chemotherapy with our without craniospinal irradiation [CSI] or local radiotherapy [LRT]). Median age at surgery was 2.3 years. Testing was performed at a median of 4.9 years after surgery. Patients with infratentorial EPs (treated with LRT) scored highest in fluid intelligence (CPM 100.9±16.9, mean±SD); second best scores were achieved by patients with MB without metastasis treated with chemotherapy alone (CPM 93.9±13.2), followed by patients with supratentorial EPs treated with LRT. In contrast, lowest scores were achieved by patients that received chemotherapy and CSI, which included children with metastasised MB and those with relapsed MB M0 (CPM 71.7±8.0 and 73.2±21.8, respectively). Fine motor skills were reduced in all groups. Multivariable analysis revealed that type of treatment had an impact on IQ, but essentially not age at surgery, time since surgery or gender. Our results confirm previous reports on the detrimental effects of CSI in a larger cohort of children. Comparable IQ scores in children with MB treated only with chemotherapy and in children with EP suggest that this treatment strategy represents an attractive option for children who have a high chance to avoid application of CSI. Longitudinal follow-up examinations are warranted to assess long-term neuropsychological outcomes.