Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Recurrent Glioblastoma: Pooled Analyses of Available Literature

MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy in the treatment of brain tumors and epilepsy

MR-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (MRgLITT) is a minimally invasive neurosurgical technique increasingly used for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy and brain tumors. Utilizing near-infrared light energy delivery guided by real-time MRI thermometry, MRgLITT enables precise ablation of targeted brain tissues, resulting in limited corridor-related morbidity and expedited postoperative recovery. Since receiving CE marking in 2018, the adoption of MRgLITT has expanded to more than 40 neurosurgical centers across Europe. In epilepsy treatment, MRgLITT can be applied to various types of focal lesional epilepsy, including mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, hypothalamic hamartoma, focal cortical dysplasias, periventricular heterotopias, cavernous malformations, dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNET), low-grade gliomas, tuberous sclerosis, and in disconnective surgeries. In neuro-oncology, MRgLITT is used for treating newly diagnosed and recurrent primary brain tumors, brain metastases, and radiation necrosis. This comprehensive review presents an overview of the current evidence and technical considerations for the use of MRgLITT in treating various pathologies associated with drug-resistant epilepsy and brain tumors.

Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy (LITT) in Recurrent Glioblastoma: What Window of Opportunity for This Treatment?

Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment option in neurosurgery for intracranial tumors, including recurrent gliomas. The technique employs the thermal ablation of target tissue to achieve tumor control with real-time monitoring of the extent by magnetic resonance thermometry, allowing targeted thermal injury to the lesion. Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy has gained interest as a treatment option for recurrent gliomas due to its minimally invasive nature, shorter recovery times, ability to be used even in patients with numerous comorbidities, and potential to provide local tumor control. It can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with other therapies, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. We describe the most recent updates regarding several studies and case reports that have evaluated the efficacy and safety of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy for recurrent gliomas. These studies have reported different outcomes, with some demonstrating promising results in terms of tumor control and patient survival, while others have shown mixed outcomes. The success of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy depends on various factors, including tumor characteristics, patient selection, and the experience of the surgical team, but the future direction of treatment of recurrent gliomas will include a combined approach, comprising Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy, particularly in deep-seated brain regions. Well-designed prospective studies will be needed to establish with certainty the role of Laser Interstitial Thermotherapy in the treatment of recurrent glioma.

Awake Laser Ablation with Continuous Neuropsychological Testing During Treatment of Brain Tumors and Epilepsy

MR-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is feasible and safe in the awake patient. Awake LITT may be performed with analgesics for head fixation in a head-ring, no sedation during laser ablation, and with continuous neurological testing in patients with brain tumors and epilepsy. In the LITT treatment of lesions near eloquent areas and subcortical fiber tracts, neurological function can potentially be preserved by monitoring the patient during laser ablation.

The Evolution of Laser-Induced Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Gliomas

Laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) has evolved over the past two decades to treat a number of intracranial pathologies. Although it initially emerged as a salvage treatment of surgically inoperable tumors or recurrent lesions that had exhausted more conventional treatments, it is now being used as a primary, first-line treatment in certain instances with outcomes comparable to traditional surgical resection. The authors discuss the evolution of LITT in the treatment of gliomas and future directions, which may further enhance the efficacy of this procedure.

Highlighted Advances in Therapies for Difficult-To-Treat Brain Tumours Such as Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains a challenging disease, as it is the most common and deadly brain tumour in adults and has no curative solution and an overall short survival time. This incurability and short survival time means that, despite its rarity (average incidence of 3.2 per 100,000 persons), there has been an increased effort to try to treat this disease. Standard of care in newly diagnosed glioblastoma is maximal tumour resection followed by initial concomitant radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) and then further chemotherapy with TMZ. Imaging techniques are key not only to diagnose the extent of the affected tissue but also for surgery planning and even for intraoperative use. Eligible patients may combine TMZ with tumour treating fields (TTF) therapy, which delivers low-intensity and intermediate-frequency electric fields to arrest tumour growth. Nonetheless, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and systemic side effects are obstacles to successful chemotherapy in GBM; thus, more targeted, custom therapies such as immunotherapy and nanotechnological drug delivery systems have been undergoing research with varying degrees of success. This review proposes an overview of the pathophysiology, possible treatments, and the most (not all) representative examples of the latest advancements.

Surgical Approaches to Thalamic Gliomas: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Adult thalamic gliomas (ATGs) present a surgical challenge given their depth and proximity to eloquent brain regions. Choosing a surgical approach relies on different clinical variables such as anatomical location and size of the tumor. However, conclusive data regarding how these variables influence the balance between extent of resection and complications are lacking. We aim to systematically review the literature to describe the current surgical outcomes of ATG and to provide tools that may improve the decision-making process.

METHODS

Literature regarding the surgical management of ATG patients was reviewed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Four databases were queried and a description of clinical characteristics and survival analysis were performed. An individual patient data analysis was conducted when feasible.

RESULTS

A total of 462 patients were included from 13 studies. The mean age was 39.8 years with a median preoperative Karnofsky performance scale of 70. The lateral approaches were most frequently used (74.9%), followed by the interhemispheric (24.2%). Gross total and subtotal/partial resections were achieved in 81%, and 19% of all cases, respectively. New permanent neurological deficits were observed in 51/433 patients (11.8%). individual patient data was pooled from 5 studies (n = 71). In the multivariate analysis, tumors located within the posterior thalamus had worse median overall survival compared to anterior gliomas (14.5 vs. 27 months, P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical resection of ATGs can increase survival but at the risk of operative morbidity. Knowing which factors impact survival may allow neurosurgeons to propose a more evidence-based treatment to their patients.

[High-intensity laser therapy in clinical medicine: scientometric analysis of evidence of effectiveness]

INTRODUCTION

High-intensity laser technologies are widely used in modern restorative medicine, and indications for their use are expanding annually. These technologies are effective, potentially safe methods of treating many diseases. with pronounced therapeutic effects.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

Analysis of scientific evidence of the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity laser therapy in patients with various diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive scientometric analysis of evidence-based studies of the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity laser therapy methods was carried out according to electronic databases (Google scholar, PEDro, PubMed, Cochrane DATABASE) for the period from 2006 to 2021.

RESULTS

High-intensity laser therapy has a wide range of significantly pronounced therapeutic effects. and it is an effective method of treating patients with various diseases. Various technologies and methods of its application are widely used in various fields of clinical medicine. Individually developed therapy protocols are needed, with optimal exposure parameters for each patient, intervals between procedures.

CONCLUSION

It is advisable to develop more reliable and standard evaluation criteria, regular generalization and analysis of existing evidence, careful planning and implementation of further large-scale randomized controlled trials to study the effects of high-intensity laser radiation both as a single effect and as part of combinations with other treatment methods. The effectiveness of combination therapy requires further analysis in the course of conducting new benign clinical trials.

Congress of neurological surgeons systematic review and evidence-based guidelines update on the role of cytoreductive surgery in the management of progressive glioblastoma in adults

QUESTION

In patients with previously diagnosed glioblastoma who are suspected of experiencing progression, does repeat cytoreductive surgery improve progression free survival or overall survival compared to alternative interventions?

TARGET POPULATION

These recommendations apply to adults with previously diagnosed glioblastoma who are suspected of experiencing progression of the neoplastic process and are amenable to surgical resection.

RECOMMENDATION

Level II: Repeat cytoreductive surgery is recommended in progressive glioblastoma patients to improve overall survival.

Stealth Autoguide for robotic-assisted laser ablation for lesional epilepsy: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Laser interstitial thermal therapy has been used in tumor and epilepsy surgery to maximize clinical treatment impact while minimizing morbidity. This intervention places a premium on accuracy. With the advent of robotics, neurosurgery is entering a new age of improved accuracy. Here, the authors described the use of robotic-assisted laser placement for the treatment of epileptiform lesions.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors presented a case of a 21-year-old woman with medically intractable epilepsy, localized to left mesial temporal sclerosis and left temporal encephalocele by way of stereotactic electroencephalography, who presented for consideration of surgical intervention. When presented with resection versus laser ablation, the patient opted for laser ablation. The patient received robotic-assisted stereotactic laser ablation (RASLA) using a Stealth Autoguide. The patient was seizure free (10 weeks) after surgical ablation.

LESSONS

RASLA is an effective way to treat epilepsy. Here, the authors reported the first RASLA procedure with a Stealth Autoguide to treat epilepsy. The procedure can be performed effectively and efficiently for multiple epileptic foci without the need for bulkier robotic options or head frames that may interfere with the use of magnetic resonance imaging for heat mapping.

Combined Fluorescence-Guided Resection and Intracavitary Thermotherapy with Superparamagnetic Iron‐Oxide Nanoparticles for Recurrent High-Grade Glioma: Case Series with Emphasis on Complication Management

Simple Summary

Recurrent high-grade gliomas are difficult to treat. Here, we report on our single-center experience in combining fluorescence-guided tumor resection with 5-ALA and local thermotherapy with superparamagnetic iron nanoparticles. In total, 18 patients were operated on and received thermotherapy with or without additional radiotherapy. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 months and median overall survival was 9.5 months. Although no major side effects were observed during active treatment, 72% of the patients developed cerebral edema requiring steroid treatment or even surgical removal of the nanoparticles. In conclusion, the combination of fluorescence-guided resection and intracavitary thermotherapy provides a novel and promising treatment option for improving local tumor control in recurrent high-grade gliomas, but further refinements of the treatment protocol are needed to decrease major side effects.

Abstract

Background: Concepts improving local tumor control in high-grade glioma (HGG) are desperately needed. The aim of this study is to report an extended series of cases treated with a combination of 5-ALA-fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) and intracavitary thermotherapy with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION). Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective review of all recurrent HGG treated with FGR and intracavitary thermotherapy (n = 18). Patients underwent six hyperthermia sessions in an alternating magnetic field and received additional adjuvant therapies on a case-by-case basis. Results: Nine patients were treated for first tumor recurrence; all other patients had suffered at least two recurrences. Nine patients received combined radiotherapy and thermotherapy. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 (95% CI: 4.67–6.13) months and median overall survival was 9.5 (95% CI: 7.12–11.79) months. No major side effects were observed during active treatment. Thirteen patients (72%) developed cerebral edema and more clinical symptoms during follow-up and were initially treated with dexamethasone. Six (33%) of these patients underwent surgical removal of nanoparticles due to refractory edema. Conclusions: The combination of FGR and intracavitary thermotherapy with SPION provides a new treatment option for improving local tumor control in recurrent HGG. The development of cerebral edema is a major issue requiring further refinements of the treatment protocol.