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Yoel A, Adjumain S, Liang Y, Daniel P, Firestein R, Tsui V. Emerging and Biological Concepts in Pediatric High-Grade Gliomas. Cells 2024; 13:1492. [PMID: 39273062 PMCID: PMC11394548 DOI: 10.3390/cells13171492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary central nervous system tumors are the most frequent solid tumors in children, accounting for over 40% of all childhood brain tumor deaths, specifically high-grade gliomas. Compared with pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs), pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGGs) have an abysmal survival rate. The WHO CNS classification identifies four subtypes of pHGGs, including Grade 4 Diffuse midline glioma H3K27-altered, Grade 4 Diffuse hemispheric gliomas H3-G34-mutant, Grade 4 pediatric-type high-grade glioma H3-wildtype and IDH-wildtype, and infant-type hemispheric gliomas. In recent years, we have seen promising advancements in treatment strategies for pediatric high-grade gliomas, including immunotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and vaccine approaches, which are currently undergoing clinical trials. These therapies are underscored by the integration of molecular features that further stratify HGG subtypes. Herein, we will discuss the molecular features of pediatric high-grade gliomas and the evolving landscape for treating these challenging tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Yoel
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Shazia Adjumain
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Yuqing Liang
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Paul Daniel
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Ron Firestein
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Vanessa Tsui
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia; (A.Y.); (S.A.); (Y.L.); (P.D.); (R.F.)
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
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Tosi U, Souweidane M. Diffuse Midline Gliomas: Challenges and New Strategies in a Changing Clinical Landscape. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:219. [PMID: 38201646 PMCID: PMC10778507 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16010219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) was first described by Harvey Cushing, the father of modern neurosurgery, a century ago. Since then, the classification of this tumor changed significantly, as it is now part of the broader family of diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs), a heterogeneous group of tumors of midline structures encompassing the entire rostro-caudal space, from the thalamus to the spinal cord. DMGs are characterized by various epigenetic events that lead to chromatin remodeling similarities, as two decades of studies made possible by increased tissue availability showed. This new understanding of tumor (epi)biology is now driving novel clinical trials that rely on targeted agents, with finally real hopes for a change in an otherwise unforgiving prognosis. This biological discovery is being paralleled with equally exciting work in therapeutic drug delivery. Invasive and noninvasive platforms have been central to early phase clinical trials with a promising safety track record and anecdotal benefits in outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Tosi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mark Souweidane
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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