Pre-treatment systemic inflammation response index and systemic immune inflammation in patients with primary central nerve system lymphoma as a useful prognostic indicator

PURPOSE

The systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) are based on neutrophil, monocyte, platelet, and lymphocyte counts. The SIRI and SII are used to predict the survival of patients with malignant tumors. It is well known that the inflammatory immune response is closely related to cancer occurrence and progression. In the present study, we evaluated the potential prognostic significance of SIRI and SII in patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

Fifty-eight consecutive patients were enrolled in this study between November 2006 and May 2022. Among the 58 patients, 47 patients with sufficient blood test data and follow-up were analyzed. The patients with steroid intake at the time point of the blood test and higher C-reactive protein were excluded.

RESULTS

The median follow-up and survival times were 31 and 36 months, respectively. The optimal cutoff SIRI value was based on the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for overall survival (OS) and stratified patients into low (< 1.43 × 109/L, n = 22) and high (≥ 1.43 × 109/L, n = 25) SIRI groups. The optimal cutoff SII value based on the ROC for OS stratified patients into low (< 694.9, n = 28) and high (≥ 694.9, n = 19) SII groups. A low SIRI value was associated with longer OS (p = 0.006). Furthermore, a low SII value was associated with longer OS (p = 0.044). The prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival in univariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model were age < 65 years, low SIRI, and low SII. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that age < 65 years and low SIRI independently predicted longer OS.

CONCLUSION

Simple, less expensive, and routinely ordered preoperative blood count assessments such as SIRI and SII predict the OS of patients with PCNSL. This study demonstrated that PCNSL is associated with pre-treatment systemic immune-inflammation states.

Preoperative blood counts predict overall survival in patients undergoing surgical removal of brain metastasis

OBJECTIVE

The prognosis for patients with cancer with brain metastasis (BM) requiring surgical removal is quite limited. Preoperative prognostic factors can provide meaningful information to surgeons, oncologists, and patients. This study evaluated the preoperative blood counts in patients with BM who were treated with surgical removal.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and November 2021, 221 consecutive surgeries were conducted on 198 patients with BM. Among the 198 patients, 188 patients with sufficient blood test data and follow-up were analyzed in this study. The tumors originated from the lungs (n = 102, 54.3%), colon (n = 26, 13.3%), breast (n = 13, 6.9%), kidney (n = 8, 4.3%), stomach (n = 6, 3.2%), and others (n = 33, 17.6%). The blood test data included neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and albumin.

RESULTS

The median follow-up and median survival times were both 11 months (range: 0-139 months). Higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) ≥ 3.17, platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) ≥112.7, systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) ≥594.4, systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) ≥1.25 were unfavorable predictors of prognosis for the patients treated with surgical removal for BM (p < 0.001). Furthermore, lower lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) <2.33 and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) <48.5 were unfavorable predictors.

CONCLUSION

Simple, less expensive, routinely ordered preoperative blood count assessments, such as the NLR, PLR, LMR, SII, SIRI, and PNI, can predict the overall survival of patients treated with surgical removal for BM.

Clinical Results and Hematologic Predictors of Linear Accelerator-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery or Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Brain Metastasis in Patients Aged 75 Years or Older: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate prognostic factors including pre-radiosurgical blood count in elderly patients (EPs) with brain metastasis (BM) who were treated using linear accelerator (LINAC)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) with a micro-multileaf collimator.

METHODS

Between January 2011 and November 2021, 101 consecutive EPs with BM were treated by LINAC-based SRS or fSRT using LINAC with a micro-multileaf collimator. EPs were defined as patients aged ≥75 years.

RESULTS

The tumors originated from the lungs (n = 90; 89.1%), colon (n = 2; 2.0%), and others (n = 9; 8.8%) in these EPs. The median pretreatment Karnofsky Performance Status was 80 (range, 40-100). The median follow-up time was 10 months (range, 0-76), as was the median survival. The 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year survival in the EP group was 58.3%, 43.2%, and 28.5%, respectively. Freedom from local failure at 6 months and 1 and 2 years was 97%, 95%, and 91.5%, respectively. Freedom from distant failure at 6 months and 1 and 2 years in EPs was 70.6%, 59.4%, and 54.2%, respectively. A high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio >5.33 was an unfavorable predictor of prognosis for EPs with BMs treated with SRS and fSRT (P < 0.001). In the EPs, the prognostic factors associated with prolonged survival in the Cox proportional hazards model were being female and a good pretreatment Karnofsky Performance Status.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of our study highlight the efficacy of LINAC-based SRS and fSRT with a micro-multileaf collimator in the treatment of EPs with BMs. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio can be an important factor in treatment decisions for EPs with BMs.

Bulk RNA sequencing reveals the comprehensive genetic characteristics of human cord blood-derived natural killer cells

Introduction

Innate immune cells are important in tumor immunotherapy. Natural killer cells (NKCs) are also categorized as innate immune cells and can control tumor growth and metastatic spread. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. NKC-based immunotherapy is a promising treatment strategy against GBM. We previously reported a feeder-free expansion system that yielded large-scale highly purified and cytotoxic NKCs derived from human cord blood (CB). In the present study, we performed comprehensive genomic analyses of NKCs generated from human CB (CBNKCs) as compared those from human peripheral blood (PB) (PBNKCs).

Methods

Frozen T cell-free CB mononuclear cells were cultured with recombinant human interleukin (rhIL)-18 and rhIL-2 in anti-NKp46 and anti-CD16 antibody immobilization settings. After 14-day expansion, the total RNA of the CBNKCs or PBNKCs was extracted and transcriptomic analyses was performed to determine their similarities and differences. We also examined CBNKC and PBNKC activity against a GBM cell line.

Results

Differential expression gene analysis revealed that some NK activating and inhibitory receptors were significantly downregulated in the CBNKCs compared to PBNKCs. Furthermore, genes related to anti-apoptosis and proliferation were upregulated in the CBNKCs. Enrichment analysis determined that the gene sets related to immune response and cytokines were enriched in the CBNKCs. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated that the immune response pathway was upregulated in the CBNKCs. Cytotoxic assays using impedance-based cell analyzer revealed that the CBNKCs enhanced NKC-mediated cytotoxicity on GBM cells as compared to the PBNKCs.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the characteristics of human CBNKCs. Cell-based therapy using the CBNKCs is promising for treating GBM.

Thin Calcification Predicts Lipid Component in Carotid Plaque-Relationship Between Lipid Distribution and Thin Calcification

BACKGROUND

Accurately evaluating plaque characteristics is essential because lesions with lipid-rich plaque put patients at risk of thromboembolic complications from carotid artery stenting. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a diagnostic imaging modality that identifies lipid components from the near-infrared absorption pattern but does not reveal the distribution of calcification. The purpose of this study was to investigate the calcification characteristics of unstable carotid plaques, focusing on relationships between the calcification characteristics revealed by computed tomography angiography and the lipid core distribution derived from NIRS.

METHODS

Participants in this retrospective analysis comprised 35 patients (29 men, 6 women; mean age, 76.0 years; range, 52-89 years) who underwent carotid artery stenting in our institute between January 2021 and December 2022. We evaluated the thickness and length of carotid calcifications at the minimal lumen level from preoperative computed tomography angiography and analyzed the relationship with maximum lipid core burden index (max-LCBI) from NIRS.

RESULTS

Strong negative linear correlations were observed between the thickness of calcification and max-LCBI at Area (any segment in a target lesion) (r = -0.795, P < 0.001), max-LCBI at minimal lumen area (r = -0.795, P < 0.001) and lipid core burden index (LCBI) at lesion (rate of LCBI in entire plaque lesion) (r = -0.788, P < 0.001), respectively. Significant negative linear correlations were observed between distribution of calcification length and max-LCBI at area (r = -0.429, P = 0.01), max-LCBI at minimal lumen area (r = -0.373, P = 0.027), and LCBI at lesion (r = -0.443, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Thin and ubiquitous carotid calcification was associated with LCBI values derived from NIRS indicative of carotid lipid plaque distribution, implying the possibility of predicting lesion instability.

Antitumor Effects of Intravenous Natural Killer Cell Infusion in an Orthotopic Glioblastoma Xenograft Murine Model and Gene Expression Profile Analysis

Despite standard multimodality treatment, containing maximum safety resection, temozolomide, radiotherapy, and a tumor-treating field, patients with glioblastoma (GBM) present with a dismal prognosis. Natural killer cell (NKC)-based immunotherapy would play a critical role in GBM treatment. We have previously reported highly activated and ex vivo expanded NK cells derived from human peripheral blood, which exhibited anti-tumor effect against GBM cells. Here, we performed preclinical evaluation of the NK cells using an in vivo orthotopic xenograft model, the U87MG cell-derived brain tumor in NOD/Shi-scid, IL-2RɤKO (NOG) mouse. In the orthotopic xenograft model, the retro-orbital venous injection of NK cells prolonged overall survival of the NOG mouse, indirectly indicating the growth-inhibition effect of NK cells. In addition, we comprehensively summarized the differentially expressed genes, especially focusing on the expression of the NKC-activating receptors' ligands, inhibitory receptors' ligands, chemokines, and chemokine receptors, between murine brain tumor treated with NKCs and with no agents, by using microarray. Furthermore, we also performed differentially expressed gene analysis between an internal and external brain tumor in the orthotopic xenograft model. Our findings could provide pivotal information for the NK-cell-based immunotherapy for patients with GBM.

Awake Surgery for Angiocentric Glioma in the Eloquent Area in an Adolescent: A Case Report

Angiocentric glioma (AG) is an extremely rare tumor that often develops in adolescents. Awake surgery for AG occurring in the eloquent area has not been reported to date. We report a case involving a right-handed 15-year-old boy with AG. He presented with a first-time generalized tonic-clonic seizure and was rushed to the local hospital. CT of the head indicated a left frontal low-density mass with no calcification. He was subsequently referred to our hospital. Comparison with a CT scan obtained two years prior due to mild head trauma indicated that the lesion showed a trend toward enlargement. The lesion was located in the anterior and lateral portions of the primary motor cortex, and MRI showed homogenous hypointensity on T1-weighted and hyperintensity on T2-weighted images. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed a linear contrast effect. The patient underwent awake surgery with successful intraoperative brain mapping and total resection, and brain function was preserved. Pathological analysis revealed AG. He returned to his normal life and has shown no recurrence without additional treatment for 2 years. Thus, awake surgery for complete tumor resection while preserving brain function is effective and safe even in adolescents with AGs.

Dual-layered stents reduce cerebral embolism compared with first-generation stents during carotid stenting of high lipid core plaque lesions

BACKGROUND

Periprocedural lipid core plaque (LCP) has been detected in carotid arteries assessed by catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). High LCP is associated with cerebral embolism after carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a first-generation stent. We aimed to evaluate whether dual-layered stents reduce embolic infarcts in patients with high LCP and change of lipid signal as assessed by NIRS during CAS.

METHODS

Participants comprised 210 consecutive patients undergoing CAS. The study was divided into two distinct periods, with first-generation closed-cell stents used in the earlier period and dual-layered stents used in the later period. NIRS was performed at baseline, after stent implantation, and after balloon post-dilatation to analyze maximal lipid core burden index at minimal luminal area (max-LCBIMLA).

RESULTS

The ipsilateral cerebral embolism rate was significantly lower with dual-layered stents (9%) than with first-generation stents (33%, p<0.001), particularly with highly lipidic lesions (12% vs 60%, p<0.001). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, high LCP and first-generation stent usage were factors related to ipsilateral cerebral embolism (both p<0.001; OR 8.28 (95% CI 3.49 to 19.64) and OR 8.07 (95% CI 2.33 to 27.93), respectively). Max-LCBIMLA decreased significantly after stenting in both groups (both p<0.01) and max-LCBIMLA after balloon post-dilatation was significantly lower with dual-layered stents (22.4±65.6) than with first-generation stents (124.2±208.2; p=0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

Dual-layered stents reduce embolic infarcts in patients with highly lipidic plaque lesions as assessed by NIRS who undergo CAS. Dual-layered stents significantly reduced NIRS-derived lipid signals after stenting.

An efficient feeder-free and chemically-defined expansion strategy for highly purified natural killer cells derived from human cord blood

Introduction

Natural killer cells (NKCs) are immune cells that can attack cancer cells through the direct recognition of ligands without prior sensitization. Cord blood-derived NKCs (CBNKCs) represent a promising tool for allogenic NKC-based cancer immunotherapy. Efficient NKC expansion and decreased T cell inclusion are crucial for the success of allogeneic NKC-based immunotherapy without inducing graft-versus-host reactions. We previously established an efficient ex vivo expansion system consisting of highly purified-NKCs derived from human peripheral blood. Herein, we evaluated the performance of the NKC expansion system using CB and characterized the expanded populations.

Methods

Frozen CB mononuclear cells (CBMCs), with T cells removed, were cultured with recombinant human interleukin (rhIL)-18 and rhIL-2 under conditions where anti-NKp46 and anti-CD16 antibodies were immobilized. Following 7, 14, and 21 days of expansion, the purity, fold-expansion rates of NKCs, and the expression levels of NK activating and inhibitory receptors were assessed. The ability of these NKCs to inhibit the growth of T98G, a glioblastoma (GBM) cell line sensitive to NK activity, was also examined.

Results

All expanded T cell-depleted CBMCs were included in over 80%, 98%, and 99% of CD3^-CD56⁺ NKCs at 7, 14, and 21 days of expansion, respectively. The NK activating receptors LFA-1, NKG2D, DNAM-1, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, FcγRIII and NK inhibitory receptors TIM-3, TIGIT, TACTILE, NKG2A were expressed on the expanded-CBNKCs. Two out of three of the expanded-CBNKCs weakly expressed PD-1, yet gradually expressed PD-1 according to expansion period. One of the three expanded CBNKCs almost lacked PD-1 expression during the expansion period. LAG-3 expression was variable among donors, and no consistent changes were identified during the expansion period. All of the expanded CBNKCs elicited distinct cytotoxicity-mediated growth inhibition on T98G cells. The level of cytotoxicity was gradually decreased based on the prolonged expansion period.

Conclusions

Our established feeder-free expansion system yielded large scale highly purified and cytotoxic NKCs derived from human CB. The system provides a stable supply of clinical grade off-the-shelf NKCs and may be feasible for allogeneic NKC-based immunotherapy for cancers, including GBM.

Local administration of shikonin improved the overall survival in orthotopic murine glioblastoma models with temozolomide resistance

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma is a type of intracranial malignancy. Shikonin, a Chinese traditional medicine, has been shown to have anti-tumor efficacy toward human glioblastoma cells in vitro. However, shikonin cannot easily cross the blood-brain barrier. To address this issue, we evaluated the anti-tumor effects of direct intracranial infusion of shikonin in in vivo orthotopic syngeneic murine glioblastoma models using C57BL/6 mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cytotoxic effects of shikonin against murine glioblastoma cells, SB28 and CT-2A, were reported resistance to temozolomide, were evaluated using an allophycocyanin-conjugated annexin V and propidium iodide assay with flow cytometry. Impedance-based real-time cell analysis (RTCA) was used to analyze the inhibitory effects of shikonin on growth and proliferation. To evaluate the anti-tumor activity of shikonin in vivo, we used orthotopic syngeneic murine glioblastoma models with SB28 and CT-2A cells.

RESULTS

In flow cytometry-based cytotoxic assays, shikonin induced apoptosis. RTCA indicated that shikonin decreased the cell index of murine glioblastoma cells, SB28 and CT-2A, in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.0001 for both cell lines), while temozolomide did not (p = 0.91 and 0.82, respectively). In murine glioblastoma models, SB28 and CT-2A, direct intracranial infusion of shikonin, as a local chemotherapy, improved the overall survival of mice in a dose-dependent manner compared with control groups (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively). While temozolomide did not (p = 0.48 and 0.52, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The direct intracranial infusion of shikonin has potential as a local therapy for patients with glioblastoma.

Therapeutic Anti-KIR Antibody of 1-7F9 Attenuates the Antitumor Effects of Expanded and Activated Human Primary Natural Killer Cells on In Vitro Glioblastoma-like Cells and Orthotopic Tumors Derived Therefrom

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the leading malignant intracranial tumor, where prognosis for which has remained extremely poor for two decades. Immunotherapy has recently drawn attention as a cancer treatment, including for GBM. Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that attack cancer cells directly and produce antitumor immunity-related cytokines. The adoptive transfer of expanded and activated NK cells is expected to be a promising GBM immunotherapy. We previously established an efficient expansion method that produced highly purified, activated primary human NK cells, which we designated genuine induced NK cells (GiNKs). The GiNKs demonstrated antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo, which were less affected by blockade of the inhibitory checkpoint receptor programmed death 1 (PD-1). In the present study, we assessed the antitumor effects of GiNKs, both alone and combined with an antibody targeting killer Ig-like receptor 2DLs (KIR2DL1 and DL2/3, both inhibitory checkpoint receptors of NK cells) in vitro and in vivo with U87MG GBM-like cells and the T98G GBM cell line. Impedance-based real-time cell growth assays and apoptosis detection assays revealed that the GiNKs exhibited growth inhibitory effects on U87MG and T98G cells by inducing apoptosis. KIR2DL1 blockade attenuated the growth inhibition of the cell lines in vitro. The intracranial administration of GiNKs prolonged the overall survival of the U87MG-derived orthotopic xenograft brain tumor model. The KIR2DL1 blockade did not enhance the antitumor effects; rather, it attenuated it in the same manner as in the in vitro experiment. GiNK immunotherapy directly administered to the brain could be a promising immunotherapeutic alternative for patients with GBM. Furthermore, KIR2DL1 blockade appeared to require caution when used concomitantly with GiNKs.

Extensive Roles and Technical Advances of Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common pathology that typically affects the elderly in Japan, an aging society. Burr-hole irrigation is the standard treatment, but middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization is a minimally invasive alternative. MMA embolization for CSDH has frequently been reported in recent years, and many technical innovations to improve clinical outcomes have been described. Embolic materials reaching more distally are found to avoid recurrences after MMA embolization. As a result, various studies have described the superiority of embolizing the anterior and posterior branches of the MMA, the advantages of embolic materials reaching beyond the midline, and a high degree of distal penetration using a "sugar rush technique" in which 5% soluble glucose is injected through an intermediate catheter during MMA embolization. Radiographically, reports have described the importance of a "bright falx" sign obtained by infiltrating embolic material beyond the midline and post-embolization enhancement of the dura, capsular membrane, septations, and subdural hematoma fluid as indicators of the spread of embolic materials. This review provides an overview of the current status and future challenges in MMA embolization for CSDH, focusing on technical aspects to improve clinical outcomes.

CIS deletion by CRISPR/Cas9 enhances human primary natural killer cell functions against allogeneic glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumor and has "immunologically cold" features. Changing GBM to an "immunologically hot" tumor requires a strong trigger that induces initial immune responses in GBM. Allogeneic natural killer cells (NKCs) have gained considerable attention as promising immunotherapeutic tools against cancer, where gene-edited NKCs would result in effective anti-cancer treatment. The present study focused on the immune checkpoint molecule cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH, or CIS) as a critical negative regulator in NKCs.

METHODS

The GBM tumor environment featured with immunological aspect was analyzed with Cancer immunogram and GlioVis. We generated human primary CIS-deleted NKCs (NK dCIS) using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) with single guide RNA targeting genome sites on CIS coding exons. The genome-edited NKCs underwent microarray with differential expression analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The anti-GBM activity of the genome-edited NKCs was evaluated by apoptosis induction effects against allogeneic GBM cells and spheroids. We further detected in vivo antitumor effects using xenograft brain tumor mice.

RESULTS

We successfully induced human CIS-deleted NKCs (NK dCIS) by combining our specific human NKC expansion method available for clinical application and genome editing technology. CIS gene-specific guide RNA/Cas9 protein complex suppressed CIS expression in the expanded NKCs with high expansion efficacy. Comprehensive gene expression analysis demonstrated increased expression of 265 genes and decreased expression of 86 genes in the NK dCIS. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched genes were involved in NKC effector functions. Functional analysis revealed that the NK dCIS had increased interferon (IFN)ɤ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. CIS deletion enhanced NKC-mediated apoptosis induction against allogeneic GBM cells and spheroids. Intracranial administration of the allogeneic NKCs prolonged the overall survival of xenograft brain tumor mice. Furthermore, the NK dCIS extended the overall survival of the mice.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated the successful induction of human primary NK dCIS with CRISPR/Cas9 with efficient expansion. CIS deletion enhanced the NKC-mediated anti-tumor effects in allogeneic GBM and could be a promising immunotherapeutic alternative for patients with GBM.

Parenchymal Blood Volume Changes Immediately After Endovascular Thrombectomy Predict Futile Recanalization in Patients with Emergent Large Vessel Occlusion

OBJECTIVE

More than one third of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients do not recover to functional independence even if endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is performed rapidly and successfully. This suggests that angiographic recanalization does not necessarily lead to tissue reperfusion. Although recognition of reperfusion status after EVT is pivotal for optimal postoperative management, reperfusion imaging assessment immediately after recanalization has not been fully investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate whether reperfusion status based on parenchymal blood volume (PBV) assessment after angiographic recanalization influences infarct growth and functional outcome in patients who have undergone EVT following AIS.

METHODS

Seventy-nine patients who underwent successful EVT for AIS were retrospectively analyzed. PBV maps were acquired from flat-panel detector computed tomography (CT) perfusion images before and after angiographic recanalization. Reperfusion status was assessed from PBV values and their changes in regions of interest and collateral score.

RESULTS

Post-EVT PBV ratio and ΔPBV ratio, as PBV parameters indicating the degree of reperfusion, were significantly lower in the unfavorable prognosis group (P < 0.01 each). Poor reperfusion on PBV mapping was associated with significantly longer puncture-to-recanalization time, lower collateral score, and higher frequency of infarct growth. Logistic regression analysis identified low collateral score and low ΔPBV ratio as associated with poor prognosis after EVT (odds ratios, 2.48, 3.72; 95% confidence intervals, 1.06-5.81, 1.20-11.53; P = 0.04, 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor reperfusion in severely hypoperfused territories on PBV mapping immediately after recanalization may predict infarct growth and unfavorable prognosis in patients who undergo EVT following AIS.

Three-dimensional reconstruction imaging by C-arm computed tomography accurately visualizes in-stent neointimal formation in patients with stent-assisted coil embolization

Background

Stent apposition to the vessel wall and in-stent neointimal formation after stent-assisted coil embolization for intracranial aneurysm are important factors associated with postoperative thromboembolic complications. No assessment methods have been established to depict 3-dimensional (3D) all-round in-stent neointimal formation.

Objective

To demonstrate the superiority of Dyna-3D imaging assessment as a modality for all-round ISNF in comparison with conventional two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (2D-DSA).

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent braided stent-assisted coil embolization for unruptured aneurysm between November 2016 and September 2021 were enrolled. Radiological assessments for stent apposition to the parent vessel after stent deployment and in-stent neointimal formation after 3 months were obtained. Dyna-3D was reconstructed by overlapping a plain image showing stent struts with a rotational DSA image showing the vessel lumen. Reconstructed Dyna-3D images can be rotated to any angle on the screen to evaluate to stent apposition around the vessel and in-stent neointimal formation in 3D, for comparison with 2D-DSA evaluations.

Results

Among the 73 patients enrolled, 70 patients (96%) showed complete stent wall apposition on Dyna-3D. Higher intra-rater agreement was confirmed on assessment of in-stent neointimal formation with Dyna-3D (Cohen's κ = 0.811) than with conventional 2D-DSA (Cohen's κ = 0.517). in-stent neointimal formation could not be confirmed on conventional imaging in 9 cases (16%) and on Dyna-3D in 2 cases (3%). The number of in-stent neointimal formations rated as stent wire completely outside the endothelial line was significantly higher with Dyna-3D than with 2D-DSA (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

All-round 3D evaluation by Dyna-3D imaging appears useful for confirming in-stent neointimal formation after braided stent deployment in patients after stent-assisted coil embolization.

Natural Killer Cell-Based Immunotherapy against Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite multimodality treatment involving surgical resection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and tumor-treating fields, the median overall survival (OS) after diagnosis is approximately 2 years and the 5-year OS is poor. Considering the poor prognosis, novel treatment strategies are needed, such as immunotherapies, which include chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, vaccine therapy, and oncolytic virus therapy. However, these therapies have not achieved satisfactory outcomes. One reason for this is that these therapies are mainly based on activating T cells and controlling GBM progression. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy involves the new feature of recognizing GBM via differing mechanisms from that of T cell-based immunotherapy. In this review, we focused on NK cell-based immunotherapy as a novel GBM treatment strategy.

STMO-15 THE CLINICAL IMPACT OF VENTRICULAR OPENING IN THE IMPLANTATION OF BCNU WAFERS FOR MALIGNANT GLIOMA

Objective

To evaluate the safety profile of bis-chloroethyl-nitrosourea (BCNU) wafer implantation after malignant glioma resection with or without ventricular opening (VO).

Methods

This single-center retrospective study included 61 consecutive patients with BCNU wafer implantation after malignant glioma resection between March 2013 and April 2021. The patients were categorized into two groups based on whether VO occurred during the malignant glioma resection. Fifty-three patients had glioblastoma, and eight had anaplastic astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma. Forty-five patients underwent an initial treatment, and 16 underwent recurrent surgeries. Symptomatic edema, newly occurring seizures within one month of the surgery, wound infection, brain abscess, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative hemorrhage, and cyst formation were defined as adverse events (AEs).

Results

Twenty-nine patients underwent resection with VO, and 32 without. The median survival time was 28 months in the initial treatment group and 11.5 months in the recurrent treatment group. The with and without VO groups had similar median survival times. Postoperative AEs occurred in 7/29 patients (24.1%) with VO and 11/32 (34.4%) without VO, with no difference between them (p = 0.414).

Conclusions

This study showed that VO during surgery with BCNU wafer implantation might not influence the occurrence of postoperative AEs. If VO happens, BCNU wafer implantation can be performed safely with accurate closing of the ventricle.

Establishment of an efficient ex vivo expansion strategy for human natural killer cells stimulated by defined cytokine cocktail and antibodies against natural killer cell activating receptors

Introduction

Cell-based immunotherapy is categorized as a regenerative therapy under the Regenerative Medicine Safety Act in Japan. Natural killer (NK) cell-based immunotherapy is considered a promising strategy for treating cancer, including glioblastoma (GBM). We previously reported an expansion method for highly purified human peripheral blood-derived NK cells using a cytokine cocktail. Here, we aimed to establish a more efficient NK cell expansion method as compared to our previously reported method.

Methods

T cell-depleted human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from three healthy volunteers. The depleted PBMCs were cultured in the presence of recombinant human interleukin (rhIL)-18 and high-dose rhIL-2 in anti-NKp46 and/or anti-CD16 antibody immobilization settings. After 14 days of expansion, the purity and expansion ratio of CD3-CD56+ NK cells were determined. The cytotoxicity-mediated growth inhibition of T98G cells (an NK activity-sensitive GBM cell line) was evaluated using a non-labeling, impedance-based real-time cell analyzer.

Results

Anti-NKp46 stimulation increased the NK cell purity and expansion ratio as compared to the non-antibody-stimulated population. Anti-CD16 stimulation weakly enhanced the NK cell expansion ratio of the non-antibody-stimulated population and enhanced the NK cell purity and expansion ratio of anti-NKp46-stimulated populations. All NK cell-containing populations tested distinctly inhibited T98G cell growth. These effects tended to be enhanced in an NK cell purity-dependent manner. In some cases, anti-CD16 stimulation decreased growth inhibition of T98G cell compared to other conditions despite the comparable NK cell purity.

Conclusions

We established a robust large-scale feeder-free expansion system for highly purified human NK cells using a defined cytokine cocktail and anti-NK cell activating receptor antibodies. The expansion system could be feasible for autologous or allogeneic NK cell-based immunotherapy of GBM. Moreover, it is easily controlled under Japanese law on regenerative medicine.

Capability of Human Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Autologous Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Lysate to Induce Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes against HLA-A33-Matched Cancer Cells

Irradiated murine induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) elicit the antitumor response in vivo. However, it is unclear whether human iPSCs would elicit antitumor effects. In the present study, we investigated the capability of human iPSC lysate (iPSL)-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) (iPSL/DCs) to induce cancer-responsive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro. iPSCs and DCs were induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A33 homozygous donor. The iPSL was pulsed with immature DCs, which were then stimulated to allow full maturation. The activated DCs were co-cultured with autologous CTLs and their responses to SW48 colorectal carcinoma cells (HLA-A32/A33), T47D breast cancer cells (HLA-A33/A33), and T98G glioblastoma cells (HLA-A02/A02) were tested with enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays. Comprehensive gene expression analysis revealed that the established iPSCs shared numerous tumor-associated antigens with the SW48 and T47D cells. Immunofluorescent analysis demonstrated that the fluorescent-labeled iPSL was captured by the immature DCs within 2 h. iPSL/DCs induced sufficient CTL numbers in 3 weeks for ELISPOT assays, which revealed that the induced CTLs responded to SW48 and T47D cells. Human iPSL/DCs induced cancer-responsive CTLs on HLA-A33-matched cancer cells in vitro and could be a promising universal cancer vaccine for treating and preventing cancer.

Decline in the Incidence of Chronic Subdural Hematoma During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Retrospective Single-Center Descriptive Study

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced restrictions on social activities in some areas. There has also been a decrease in the number of trauma patients in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a traumatic disorder that often develops following head injury. We therefore investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CSDH. In this retrospective single-center descriptive study from April 2018 through September 2021, there were 5,282 head trauma patients and 196 patients with CSDH in the pre-pandemic group compared to 4,459 head trauma patients and 140 patients with CSDH in the intra-pandemic group. Significant decreases in the incidence rate (IR) of head trauma (951/100,000 vs. 795/100,000 person-years; IR ratio (IRR): 0.836, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.803–0.870, p < 0.001) and also in the IR of CSDH (35.0/100,000 vs. 24.8/100,000 person-years, IRR: 0.708, 95% CI: 0.570–0.879, p = 0.002) were seen in the intra-pandemic group compared to the pre-pandemic group. In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant decreases in the IRs of head trauma and CSDH due to forced restrictions on social activities. Besides, the IR of mild cases of CSDH was significantly lower in the intra-pandemic group than in the pre-pandemic group (IRR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.51–0.89, p = 0.006). Fewer people being out in communities should result in fewer chances for head trauma and CSDH. On the other hand, forced restrictions on social activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic should aggravate CSDH.

A case of recurrent cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula arising after superselective shunt occlusion and detected by venous arterial spin labeling

Background:

Superselective shunt occlusion (SSSO) for cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF) avoids the risk of cranial nerve palsy, unlike entire sinus packing, but requires paying attention to recurrence. Distinguishing between true and paradoxical worsening of postoperative ophthalmic symptoms using a less-invasive modality is often difficult. Here, we report a case of true worsening of neuro-ophthalmic symptom by recurrent CSDAVF detected by venous-arterial spin labeling (ASL) on magnetic resonance imaging.

Case Description:

A 55-year-old woman with neither contributory medical history nor previous head trauma presented with neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and pulsatile tinnitus. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) revealed CSDAVF with multiple shunted pouches. She underwent successful transvenous SSSO, but neuroophthalmic symptom worsened after SSSO and venous-ASL revealed increased signal intensity in the right superior orbital vein (SOV). DSA confirmed recurrent CSDAVF and additional transvenous embolization was performed. Neuro-ophthalmic symptoms and venous-ASL hyperintensity on SOV improved postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Venous-ASL is noninvasive and seems useful for detecting true worsening of neuro-ophthalmic symptoms of recurrent CSDAVF.

Staged strategy using a transcarotid approach for acute tandem occlusions with left common carotid artery origin steno-occlusive lesion

Background:

Endovascular treatment for acute tandem occlusion (ATO) of the combination of an ipsilateral extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) steno-occlusive lesion with concurrent intracranial artery occlusion is challenging. Whether extracranial lesions, especially in cases of the left common carotid artery (LCCA) origin steno-occlusive lesions, should be treated after recanalization of an occluded intracranial artery by mechanical thrombectomy simultaneously in the same session has not been established. We report two cases of successful ATO with LCCA origin steno-occlusive lesions treated by staged retrograde transcarotid LCCA stenting followed emergent mechanical thrombectomy in two sessions because of the tortuous aortic arch.

Case Description:

A 61-year-old man with left ICA occlusion and an 82-year-old woman with left middle cerebral artery occlusion underwent emergent mechanical thrombectomy for ATO with LCCA origin stenoocclusive lesions. We achieved recanalization of large vessels, but severe stenosis of LCCAs remained. Because of the tortuous aortic arch, we decided to treat LCCA origin steno-occlusive lesions with staged stenting in the other session followed emergent mechanical thrombectomy. Postoperative courses were uneventful, and their symptoms improved. We performed stenting using a transcarotid approach through CCA cut down for LCCA steno-occlusive lesions without any complications.

Conclusion:

The staged strategy leaving LCCA origin stenosis seems to offer a better strategy than the simultaneous strategy for ATO with LCCA origin steno-occlusive lesions. A retrograde transcarotid approach through CCA cut down is recommended for LCCA stenting.

4-Hydroxyl-2-Nonenal Localized Expression Pattern in Retrieved Clots is Associated with Large Artery Atherosclerosis in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVES

The relationship between stroke etiology and clot pathology remains controversial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed histological analysis of clots retrieved from 52 acute ischemic stroke patients using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (CD42b and oxidative/hypoxic stress markers). The correlations between clot composition and the stroke etiological group (i.e., cardioembolic, cryptogenic, or large artery atherosclerosis) were assessed.

RESULTS

Of the 52 clots analyzed, there were no significant differences in histopathologic composition (e.g., white blood cells, red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets) between the 3 etiological groups (P = .92). By contrast, all large artery atherosclerosis clots showed a localized pattern with the oxidative stress marker 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (P < .01). From all 52 clots, 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal expression patterns were localized in 28.8% of clots, diffuse in 57.7% of clots, and no signal in 13.5% of clots.

CONCLUSIONS

A localized pattern of 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal staining may be a novel and effective marker for large artery atherosclerosis (sensitivity 100%, specificity 82%).

A thread of hope for successful revascularization for acute embolic basilar artery occlusion due to miserable vertebral artery stump syndrome. A technical report

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) is associated with major morbidities and a high mortality rate. The prevalence of acute BAO is 10.4% among patients treated with thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion. Vertebral artery stump syndrome (VASS) reportedly causes ischemic stroke with tandem occlusions as vertebral artery (VA) origin occlusion and BAO. The pathogenesis of ischemic stroke due to VASS can be attributed to thrombi or emboli. Acute embolic BAO due to VASS accounted for 2 of 25 cases (8.0%) of BAO treated using thrombectomy between April 2014 and May 2019 in our registry. VASS must be considered as one cause of BAO. With the initial Magnetic resonance angiography on arrival, it is difficult to distinguish between BAO due to simple cardiogenic embolus and due to embolus caused by VASS rapidly. In patients suffering from acute embolic BAO due to VASS, the presence of VA origin occlusion makes endovascular therapy (EVT) difficult to perform. Here, we report consecutive cases of thrombectomy for acute embolic BAO due to VASS, showing markedly different outcomes. VA origin occlusion severely limits the technical options for EVT. Visualization or conjecture of the origin of both or dominant VAs conceivably offers the possibility of successful EVT and may allow good outcomes.

Overlapping stents with coil sandwich for ruptured blood-blister aneurysm in a patient with ipsilateral persistent primitive trigeminal artery: A case report and review of literature

Ruptured blood-blister aneurysms (RBBAs) of the intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. RBBA has been treated with trapping with high-flow bypass avoiding manipulation of RBBA. In case of the presence of persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA), it is necessary to preserve the antegrade blood flow of PPTA because avoiding ischemic complications. Here, we present a case of RBBA concomitant with ipsilateral PPTA successfully treated with multistaged overlapping braided stents maintaining PPTA flow. A 30-year-old woman suffered from headache and was diagnosed RBBA of the intracranial ICA concomitant with ipsilateral PPTA. A reconstructive endovascular treatment using low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent was performed. However, it has recurred, and RBBA has finally been occluded after overlapping LVIS stents with coil sandwich that is not yet reported in the literature. We report the first case of overlapping LVIS stents with coil sandwich for RBBA.

Stent-assisted coil embolization of unruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms with the low-profile visualized intraluminal support stent, with five techniques: Technical note and case report

Background:

Intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA) is rare and shows high morbidity and mortality rates when the aneurysm ruptures. Endovascular treatment for VADA is one of the optimal treatments, but the dominant side VA and its branches or perforators need to be preserved. We report a novel and successful stent-assisted coil embolization technique using the low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent, with five technical notes in three consecutive cases of unruptured vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm (VADA).

CASE Description:

We report three consecutive cases of unruptured VADA which involved a posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA), an anterior spinal artery, and perforators. Stent-assisted coil embolization with the LVIS stent was performed in all patients. The stent was carefully placed to obtain parent artery wall apposition at distal portion and with moderate pushing at aneurysm portion. The LVIS stent was placed with tailor-made wall apposition at perforating arterial side in the barrel view, and coil embolization was performed avoiding doughnut-like stent form to prevent perforator infarcts. All cases showed complete occlusion of the aneurysms with preservation of both parent artery and its branches and perforators patency. In three cases, clinical presentations were improved without ischemic complications. The median follow-up period was 1 year. At present, no recurrence and no complication have been observed.

Conclusion:

We demonstrate the coil embolization of VADA using LVIS stent with five techniques. Our techniques for the treatment of VADA using LVIS stent are safe and can minimize ischemic complications by creating suitable wall apposition to the orifices of branches or perforators.