EGFR-TKI and lung adenocarcinoma with CNS relapse: interest of molecular follow-up

Osimertinib is associated with improved outcomes in pre-treated non-small cell lung cancer leptomeningeal metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysiss

Purpose

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is a severe complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with NSCLC LM harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, osimertinib is favored over alternative EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). However, the efficacy of osimertinib relative to other EGFR-TKIs is not well established for patients with LM. We aimed to compare the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs in EGFR-mutated NSCLC LM.

Methods

This systematic review and meta-analysis performed according to PRISMA guidelines included studies of adult patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and a diagnosis of LM who received an EGFR-TKI for the treatment of LM. We searched Medline ALL, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. The evaluation of biases was done by using the Ottawa-Newscastle scale. The hazard ratio was used as the parameter of interest for overall survival (OS) and central nervous system-specific progression-free survival (PFS).

Results

128 publications were included with 243 patients and 282 lines of EGFR-TKI for NSCLC LM that met inclusion criteria. The median PFS in patients receiving any EGFR-TKI was 9.1 months, and the median OS was 14.5 months. In univariate analyses of the entire cohort, osimertinib treatment demonstrated significantly prolonged PFS, but not OS, compared to other EGFR-TKIs. Osimertinib demonstrated significantly prolonged PFS and OS in the subset of patients who were previously treated with EGFR-TKIs, but not in EGFR-TKI naïve patients.

Conclusion

Osimertinib is associated with improved outcomes compared to other EGFR-TKIs, particularly in patients previously treated with EGFR-TKIs. An important limitation is that most patients were derived from retrospective reports. These results highlight the need for prospective studies for this difficult-to-treat patient population.

[Different Gene Mutation Spectrum of the Paired CSF and Plasma Samples in Lung Adenocarcinoma with Leptomeningeal Metastases: the Liquid Biopsy Based on Circulating Tumor DNA]

背景与目的

软脑膜转移(leptomeningeal metastasis, LM)是晚期非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC)的一种严重并发症, 通常预后较差。对于驱动基因阳性的NSCLC患者, 表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, EGFR-TKIs)是治疗的首选, 但常伴随着无法解决的耐药问题。本研究旨在探讨NSCLC-LM患者的脑脊液(cerebrospinal fluid, CSF)和血液中不同的基因突变谱及突变丰度, 筛查相关耐药基因, 以期能精确指导个体化的治疗。

方法

采用二代基因测序(next generation sequencing, NGS)的液体活检技术, 检测、对比分析TKI耐药后NSCLC患者同期的外周血及脑脊液中的循环肿瘤DNA(circulating tumor DNA, ctDNA)。

结果

共纳入18例NSCLC伴有LM的患者, 基础突变中11例(61.11%)为EGFR, 6例(33.33%)为间变性淋巴瘤激酶(anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ALK), 1例(5.56%)为原癌基因酪氨酸蛋白激酶ROS(ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase, ROS1), 伴随突变中肿瘤蛋白P53(tumor protein p53 gene, TP53)、间质-上皮细胞转化因子(mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor, MET)检出率相对较高。CSF样本的靶向基因突变检出率明显高于外周血(100.00% vs 66.67%, P=0.006), 且基础突变基因的CSF丰度均明显高于血浆样本(P < 0.001)。CSF样本检测出丰富的单核苷酸变异(single-nucleotide variations, SNV)和拷贝数变异(copy number variants, CNV), 数量均多于血液样本；且相较于只接受过单一TKI治疗的患者, 使用多种TKI后脑脊液和血液中会产生更多的SNV突变。

结论

NSCLC-LM患者CSF中的ctDNA, 相较于外周血, 能更加准确、全面地反映出LM的真实基因突变状态, 在指导用药、耐药监测、预后评估等方面具有广泛的应用前景, 可作为液体活检的优选。

CD146-mediated acquisition of stemness phenotype enhances tumour invasion and metastasis after EGFR-TKI resistance in lung cancer

INTRODUCTION

Tumours are more likely to metastasize after the development of resistance to EGFR-TKIs. CD146 is a multifunctional molecule and is implicated in tumour invasion and metastasis; however, its role in lung cancer has not been clearly established.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we aimed to explore the relationship between CD146 pathway and stem cell phenotype after EGFR-TKI resistance in lung cancer.

METHODS

EGFR-TKI-resistant cell lines were established by exposing parental cells to erlotinib/gefitinib. The CD146 level was measured by a western blot, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry fluorescent. Cell migration was examined by the transwell assay and the scratch assay. Stemness phenotype genes were evaluated by RT-PCR and stem cell phenotype was observed by the microsphere formation assay.

RESULTS

CD146 and stemness phenotype genes increased while β-catenin decreased in acquired EGFR-TKI-resistant cell lines. CD146's over-expression induced the up-regulation of stemness-related genes and was inversely correlated with the β-catenin expression, which further increased the migration capability of resistant cancer cells. CD146's knockdown suppressed cell migration and stemness phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

CD146 molecule contributes to the stemness phenotype and migration in EGFR-TKI-resistant cells. CD146 might be a potential therapeutic target for EGFR-TKI-resistant lung cancer or metastasis prevention.

Medical Treatment Options for Patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Suffering from Brain Metastases and/or Leptomeningeal Disease

Brain metastases and/or leptomeningeal disease (LMD) with associated central nervous system (CNS) metastases are known complications of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is important, therefore, to assess the activity of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) versus such CNS complications. This review explores the literature reporting the intracranial activity of EGFR TKIs, and finds that there is evidence for varying efficacy of the approved agents, erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and osimertinib in patients with CNS metastases. Other EGFR TKIs in development, such as AZD3759, may have a future role as therapeutic options in this setting. Emerging evidence indicates that the second- and third-generation EGFR TKIs, afatinib and osimertinib, effectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and therefore represent viable treatment options for CNS lesions, and can reduce the risk of CNS progression. These agents should therefore be considered as first-line treatment options in patients with EGFR mutation-positive NSCLC who have brain metastases and/or LMD. While there are currently no prospective data comparing the intracranial efficacy of second- and third-generation EGFR TKIs in this setting, CNS activity and protection offered by different EGFR TKIs should be an additional consideration when making decisions about the optimal sequence of treatment with EGFR TKIs in order to maximize survival benefit in individual patients.

Downregulation of EGFR in a metastatic brain lesion of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer using a tyrosine kinase inhibitor: A case report

Brain metastasis is a common complication in patients with cancer, with lung cancer being the most frequent origin of brain metastases. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have begun to serve a pivotal role in lung cancer treatment and have been reported to demonstrate anticancer activity against brain metastases by penetrating the blood-brain barrier. The present study reports, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) brain metastasis that was surgically resected while the lesion was responding to the EGFR-TKI erlotinib. The results of the present study demonstrated that EGFR-mutated NSCLC cells were able to evade the cytotoxic effect of EGFR-TKI by downregulating EGFR expression, without exhibiting the T790M EGFR mutation.

EGFR mutation status of paired cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples in EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer with leptomeningeal metastases

PURPOSE

Central nervous system (CNS) is the prevalent site for metastases in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-relapsed NSCLC patients. To understand the EGFR mutation status in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples after EGFR-TKI treatment failure might be useful to guide the treatment of intra- and extracranial tumors in those patients.

METHODS

Paired CSF and plasma samples were collected from seven NSCLC patients with CNS metastases after EGFR-TKI failure. EGFR mutations were tested by amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) methods. Gefitinib concentrations were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

EGFR mutations were detected in all seven CSF samples, including three of E19-Del, three of L858R and one of E19-Del&T790M by both methods. On the other hand, majority of the matched plasma samples (5/7) were negative for EGFR mutations by both methods. The other two plasma samples were positive for E19-Del&T790M by ddPCR, and one of them had undetectable T790M by ARMS. Gefitinib concentration in CSF was much lower than that in plasma (mean CSF/plasma ratio: 1.8 %).

CONCLUSIONS

After EGFR-TKI failure, majority of the NSCLC patients with CNS metastases remained positive detection of EGFR sensitive mutations in CSF, but much less detection in the matched plasma. Significantly low exposure of gefitinib in CSF might explain the intracranial protection of the EGFR sensitive mutation positive tumor cells.

Systematic discovery of complex insertions and deletions in human cancers

Complex insertions and deletions (indels) are formed by simultaneously deleting and inserting DNA fragments of different sizes at a common genomic location. Here we present a systematic analysis of somatic complex indels in the coding sequences of samples from over 8,000 cancer cases using Pindel-C. We discovered 285 complex indels in cancer-associated genes (such as PIK3R1, TP53, ARID1A, GATA3 and KMT2D) in approximately 3.5% of cases analyzed; nearly all instances of complex indels were overlooked (81.1%) or misannotated (17.6%) in previous reports of 2,199 samples. In-frame complex indels are enriched in PIK3R1 and EGFR, whereas frameshifts are prevalent in VHL, GATA3, TP53, ARID1A, PTEN and ATRX. Furthermore, complex indels display strong tissue specificity (such as VHL in kidney cancer samples and GATA3 in breast cancer samples). Finally, structural analyses support findings of previously missed, but potentially druggable, mutations in the EGFR, MET and KIT oncogenes. This study indicates the critical importance of improving complex indel discovery and interpretation in medical research.

[Research Progress of Mechanisms on Intracranial Metastasis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer after Clinical Benefit from EGFR-TKI]

表皮生长因子受体酪氨酸激酶抑制剂（epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, EGFR-TKI）广泛用于治疗EGFR突变阳性的非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）。然而，部分患者在接受EGFR-TKI治疗后、原发病灶稳定甚至缩小的同时，却出现了新发颅内转移灶或者原有颅内病灶进展，其机制未明。近年来多项研究表明，这种现象可能与EGFR-TKI的药物代谢动力学、NSCLC原发灶与转移灶的异质性、EGFR突变本身特质及患者生存期的延长有关。因此，本文就NSCLC患者在EGFR-TKI治疗临床获益后发生颅内转移的相关机制研究进展作一综述。

Brain metastasis effectively treated with erlotinib following the acquisition of resistance to gefitinib: a case report

Introduction

Non-small-cell lung cancer harboring an activated epidermal growth factor receptor mutation exhibits a good response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors; however, clinicians often experience treatment failure following the development of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Case presentation

We here report a case of a 56-year-old Japanese woman with non-small-cell lung carcinoma with a secondary T790M mutation associated with resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that maintained sensitivity of brain metastases to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. An autopsy showed that the primary focus had a T790M mutation; however, no mutations of T790M were found in the brain metastases.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the detection of T790M was associated with the clinical responsiveness to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

[Efficacy of icotinib for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with EGFR status identified]

背景与目的

埃克替尼是国内第一个口服的表皮生长因子受体（epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR）酪氨酸激酶受体抑制剂，在体内外实验研究中显示出对非小细胞肺癌的明显抑制作用。Ⅲ期临床研究ICOGEN显示埃克替尼对复治晚期非小细胞肺癌疗效不劣于吉非替尼。本研究探讨在晚期非小细胞肺癌明确EGFR状态的患者中（EGFR野生型和突变型）埃克替尼的疗效和安全性。

方法

回顾性分析2011年8月-2012年8月在浙江省肿瘤医院就诊并行埃克替尼治疗的晚期非小细胞肺癌患者，Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析和比较。

结果

49例患者明确了EGFR突变状态并行埃克替尼治疗，49例患者中13例为野生型，36例为突变型。突变患者的客观缓解率和疾病控制率分别为58.3%和88.9%，野生型患者的客观缓解率和疾病控制率分别为7.7%和53.8%。突变和野生型患者的中位无进展生存期为9.5个月和2.2个月（P < 0.001）。36例突变患者中一线治疗19例，二线及二线以上患者17例。一线和复治患者的中位无进展生存期（progression-free survival, PFS）分别为9.5个月和8.5个月（P=0.41）。突变型患者的中位总生存期（overall survival, OS）尚未达到，野生型患者的OS为12.6个月。患者的不良反应以皮疹和腹泻为主，但多为轻到中度。

结论

埃克替尼在EGFR突变患者中的疗效较好，可以作为EGFR突变患者的优选方案。患者的毒副反应多数可以耐受。

Is liquid-based cytology the magic bullet for performing molecular techniques?

OBJECTIVE

The role of pathology has evolved from the first microscopic definitions of diseases by Virchow to the new concept of molecular cytopathology. The management of diseases is now a multidisciplinary approach with the translation of morphological, imagery and molecular findings to therapeutic protocols. Obtaining the most reliable diagnostic material is the essential part of the medical management of patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Here, we try to gain a concise insight into the available data regarding the role of cytology in the application of molecular techniques, focusing on cancer cytopathology.

RESULTS

Obtaining cytological material is now feasible by different methods, and in some cases it is the only possible approach to a lesion which is not easily accessible for tissue sampling. The methods of obtaining cytological material have evolved in recent years in parallel with rapid advances in high-throughput molecular techniques, opening new windows for the diagnosis and management of diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

Different kinds of cytological material are reliable for the application of molecular techniques. Cytological material obtained in a liquid base has advantages such as the better preservation of cytomorphological features and the use of the remaining liquid for nucleic acid extraction even after long storage and the application of molecular methods.

Molecular interactions in the development of brain metastases

Brain metastases are a much-feared complication of cancer. The development of brain metastases requires a malignant cell to acquire characteristics that facilitate dissemination away from the primary site, entrance into the nervous system, and establishment in the brain. This review summarizes recent work focused on the molecular derangements leading to brain metastases and outlines areas in need of greater understanding.

Peritoneal and meningeal relapse from lung adenocarcinoma after a response to gefitinib: A case report

The prognosis of carcinomatous peritonitis and meningitis is poor since ascites and focal neurological dysfunctions usually do not improve despite the available treatment options for this devastating disease. This is a case report of peritoneal and meningeal relapse from lung adenocarcinoma following a response to gefitinib. A 72-year-old woman was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the upper lobe of the left lung, accompanied by a massive carcinomatous pleural effusion. Following a cisplati-based chemotherapy, gefitinib was initiated, achieving satisfactory disease control. At 8 months after gefitinib initiation, the patient developed abdominal distension, gait disturbance and visual disorder of the right eye. Adenocarcinoma cells were detected in the ascitic and pleural fluids. The findings of this case report suggest that clinicians should remain vigilant for this type of metastasis, although it is rarely encountered.

High-dose, pulsatile erlotinib in two NSCLC patients with leptomeningeal metastases--one with a remarkable thoracic response as well

A considerable number of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) develop leptomeningeal metastases. Leptomeningeal metastases are associated with deterioration of clinical symptoms and poor survival. Traditionally, treatment of metastases in the central nervous system consists of radiotherapy and less frequently, surgery. The role of systemic therapy is limited due to the blood-brain barrier inhibiting pharmacological doses to be reached in the central nervous system. Several case reports have described high-dose, pulsatile tyrosine kinase inhibitors as an effective treatment of leptomeningeal metastases, based on the hypothesis that higher concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid can be reached by higher systemic concentrations. Here, we describe two patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer, with both clinical and radiological response to this high-dose, pulsatile regimen. Interestingly, one patient showed a remarkable response of intrathoracic response as well.

DNA-Mutation Inventory to Refine and Enhance Cancer Treatment (DIRECT): a catalog of clinically relevant cancer mutations to enable genome-directed anticancer therapy

PURPOSE

Tumor gene mutation status is becoming increasingly important in the treatment of patients with cancer. A comprehensive catalog of tumor gene-response outcomes from individual patients is needed, especially for actionable mutations and rare variants. We created a proof-of-principle database [DNA-mutation Inventory to Refine and Enhance Cancer Treatment (DIRECT)], starting with lung cancer-associated EGF receptor (EGFR) mutations, to provide a resource for clinicians to prioritize treatment decisions based on a patient's tumor mutations at the point of care.

METHODS

A systematic search of literature published between June 2005 and May 2011 was conducted through PubMed to identify patient-level, mutation-drug response in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutant tumors. Minimum inclusion criteria included patient's EGFR mutation, corresponding treatment, and an associated radiographic outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 1,021 patients with 1,070 separate EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy responses from 116 different publications were included. About 188 unique EGFR mutations occurring in 207 different combinations were identified: 149 different mutation combinations were associated with disease control and 42 were associated with disease progression. Four secondary mutations, in 16 different combinations, were associated with acquired resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

As tumor sequencing becomes more common in oncology, this comprehensive electronic catalog can enable genome-directed anticancer therapy. DIRECT will eventually encompass all tumor mutations associated with clinical outcomes on targeted therapies. Users can make specific queries at http://www.mycancergenome.org/about/direct to obtain clinically relevant data associated with various mutations.

EGFR mutation status in brain metastases of non-small cell lung carcinoma

Brain metastases are a frequent and grave complication of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The prognosis is generally poor, despite standard therapy based on surgery and radiotherapy. A degree of understanding of the molecular basis of tumors has led to the development of targeted agents with promising initial findings for the treatment of NSCLC. EGFR mutations have been identified which are associated with significant sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and correlate with improved outcome in patients with NSCLC who are treated with these agents. The adoption of treatment tailored to the genetic make-up of individual tumors could lead to substantial therapeutic improvements, and such targeted therapy might be considered as a therapeutic option for brain metastases in the future. We review current knowledge about EGFR mutation status in the specific context of brain metastasis: its association with the response of brain metastases to TKI, its prevalence in brain metastases, and the correlation between mutation status in metastases as compared to the corresponding primary lung carcinoma.

Miliary brain metastases in 2 cases with advanced non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR mutation during gefitinib treatment

Here we report 2 cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation that developed miliary brain metastases characterized by dementia and disorientation during gefitinib therapy. One patient's therapy was switched from gefitinib to chemotherapy followed by whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), which resulted in disease progression with coma. Gefitinib reinitiation improved the patient's symptoms. The other patient continued gefitinib during WBRT and achieved complete remission of the miliary metastases and lived 18 months longer. These results suggest that gefitinib concomitant with WBRT is an optional strategy for the treatment of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC with miliary metastases to prevent disease flare.

Successful erlotinib treatment for a patient with gefitinib-related hepatotoxicity and lung adenocarcinoma refractory to intermittently administered gefitinib

A 73-year-old Japanese man was histologically diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma harboring an exon 19 deletion in the epidermal growth factor receptor. The patient was treated with gefitinib for 6 weeks until he developed substantially elevated hepatic enzyme levels that resulted in the discontinuation of gefitinib. Gefitinib was reintroduced with an intermittent treatment schedule after the transaminase levels normalized, but the patient's enzyme levels rose again, and the cancer progressed. Gefitinib was eventually replaced with erlotinib. There was stable disease for 7 weeks without any signs of liver toxicity. Thus, erlotinib may be a beneficial and well-tolerated treatment option for patients with gefitinib-related hepatotoxicity.

[Sampling and search for the EGFR mutation: what's taking, when and how to test?]

Since the IPASS study, that has shown a benefit in term of progression-free survival in first line of treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations, and the restricted prescription of this treatment to the presence of these mutations, the determination of the mutational status has became necessary at the diagnosis. This research study of these mutations, present in about 10% of non-selected NSCLC, has to be preferred in case of clinical factors predictive of mutations (sex, race, tobacco status, adenocarcinoma), but don't have to be exclusive, the correlation between these clinical factors and the presence of the mutations being imperfect. Also, the research study of the EGFR mutations should be performed for patients non eligible for chemotherapy (PS>2). Molecular testing could be performed on biopsies, and also on cytology, knowing that there is a mismatch between the tumor and the metastasis for EGFR status. Samples should be prepared according to standardized protocols, avoiding fixation with Bouin. The gold-standard for molecular testing is still sequencing, but alternative targeted tests (allele-specific PCR...) seem to be more sensitive. Some immunohistochemistry tests are in development for EGFR mutations, but have to be validated on large prospective cohorts. At last, new tumoral sampling have to be performed in case of progression under gefitinib in first line, to look for acquired resistance EGFR mutations, or for other resistance molecular markers (Met amplification).

Therapeutic targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor in human cancer: successes and limitations

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most commonly altered genes in human cancer by way of over-expression, amplification, and mutation. Targeted inhibition of EGFR activity suppresses signal transduction pathways which control tumor cell growth, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis. Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies are among the most common EGFR-targeting agents and have been used clinically for treating various malignancies. This review discusses the successes and challenges of targeting EGFR in human cancer. The genetic alterations of EGFR tend to occur more often in some solid tumors than others, as do the mechanisms of resistance to targeted inhibition. The clinical and basic science experiences with these agents thus far have important implications for the future of therapeutic targeting of EGFR.

Characteristics of patients with brain metastases from lung cancer in a palliative care center

PURPOSE AND METHODS

Patients with brain metastases present severe symptoms owing to the tumor growth or treatment side effects, and supportive measures are often critical for the patients and their families. However, there is currently a lack of palliative care and end-of-life (EoL) provision for patients affected by advanced brain tumors. We performed a retrospective analysis of the characteristics of patients with brain metastases from lung cancer between August 1998 and December 2008 in our palliative care center.

RESULTS

During this period, 55 such patients died. The male/female ratio was 0.86, and the mean age was 60.7 years. The duration of the last stay before death varied between 2 and 196 days (mean, 42.6 days). Death appeared predictable as the consequence of end-stage disease in all cases. The most frequent general clinical complaints were pain (64.8%), general fatigue (46.2%), and dyspnea (31.4%). The most frequent symptoms related to the brain tumors were consciousness deterioration (33%), headache (26%), cranial nerve palsy (19%), and delirium (19%). The symptoms in patients with carcinomatous meningitis were headache (63.6%), cranial nerve palsy (45.4%), epilepsy (27.2%), and nausea and vomiting (27.2%). The therapy tools used were chemotherapy in 9% and steroids and glycerol in 32.7%. Four patients who had leptomeningeal carcinomatosis suffered from hydrocephalus, and treatments for vasogenic edema or antalgics were less effective. In such cases, cerebrospinal fluid drainage may be effective if there are no space-occupying lesions. One patient had cortical atrophy with cognitive impairment and another had a cerebral infarction during admission.

CONCLUSION

Optimization of the quality of life in its final stages requires efficient palliative care, which involves considerable psychological, sociological, technical, and financial burdens. Palliative management of brain metastases requires a multidisciplinary approach performed by a well-trained neuro-oncology team, and it is important to avoid any treatment that is harmful or has a poor toxicity/efficacy ratio to avoid inappropriate prolongation of dying.