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- Bergman, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Intrathecal treatment trial of rituximab in progressive MS : results after a 2-year extension
- 2021
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In: Journal of Neurology. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0340-5354 .- 1432-1459. ; 268:2, s. 651-657
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To evaluate the effect of intrathecally (IT) delivered rituximab as a therapeutic intervention for progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) during a 3-year follow-up period.Methods: Participants of a 1-year open-label phase 1b study of IT delivered rituximab to patients with PMS were offered extended treatment with follow-up for an additional 2 years. During the extension phase, treatment with 25 mg rituximab was administered every 6 months via a subcutaneous Ommaya reservoir connected to the right frontal horn with a ventricular catheter.Results: Mild to moderate vertigo and nausea occurred in 4 out of 14 participants as temporary adverse events associated with IT rituximab infusion. During the entire 3-year period, two cases of low-virulent bacterial meningitis occurred, which were successfully treated. Walking speed deteriorated significantly during the study.Conclusions: IT administration of rituximab via a ventricular catheter was well tolerated. Considering the meningitis cases, the risk of infection was not negligible. The continued loss of walking speed indicates that IT rituximab was not able to stop disease progression.
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- Bergman, Joakim, et al.
(author)
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Location matters : highly divergent protein levels in samples from diferent CNS compartments in a clinical trial of rituximab for progressive MS
- 2020
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In: Fluids and Barriers of the CNS. - : BioMed Central. - 2045-8118. ; :1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The relationship between proteins in different CNS extracellular compartments is unknown. In this study the levels of selected proteins in three compartments in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (PMS) were compared.Methods: During an open label, phase 1b study on intraventricular administration of rituximab for PMS, samples were collected from the interstitial space (ISS) of the brain through microdialysis. Samples were also obtained from ventricular and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). These samples were analyzed with a multiplexed proximity extension assay, measuring the levels of 180 proteins split equally between two panels, detecting proteins associated with immunology and neurology, respectively.Results: Considerable differences in concentrations were observed between the three analyzed compartments. Compared to ventricular CSF, ISS fluid contained statistically significant higher levels of 25 proteins (84% immunology panel and 16% neurology panel). Ventricular CSF contained significantly higher levels of 54 proteins (31% immunology panel and 69% neurology panel) compared to ISS fluid, and 17 proteins (76% immunology panel and 24% neurology panel) compared to lumbar CSF. Lumbar CSF showed significantly higher levels of 115 proteins (32% immunology panel and 68% neurology panel) compared to ventricular CSF. The three compartments displayed poor correlation with a median Spearman’s rho of -0.1 (IQR 0.4) between ISS and ventricular CSF and 0.3 (IQR 0.4) between ventricular and lumbar CSF.Conclusion: A substantial heterogeneity in the protein levels of samples obtained from different CNS compartments was seen. Therefore, data obtained from analysis of lumbar CSF should be interpreted with caution when making conclusions about pathophysiological processes in brain tissue.
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- Bergman, Joakim, 1989-
(author)
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Studies of the Biology of Intrathecal Treatment in Progressive MS
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease, affecting the central nervous system (CNS). About 85% of afflicted present with a relapsing-remitting form of the disease (RRMS), for which a breakthrough in treatment was made in 2008 with rituximab, an antibody directed towards CD20, a surface antigen on B-cells. These findings also contributed to cementing the importance of the B-cell’s role in MS pathophysiology. However, MS also exist as a progressive phenotype, affecting most MS patients either from onset or after a transition from RRMS, and for progressive MS the same treatment effect of anti-CD20 has not been observed. Still, studies have found follicle-like structures containing B-cells in meninges and subarachnoid space of the cortex in progressive MS brains, supporting the involvement of B-cells. Evidence also support the existence of a chronic, low-grade inflammatory process compartmentalised within the CNS that correlates with the progressive phase of MS, which may present a treatment barrier towards anti-CD20. Peripherally administrated therapeutic antibodies cross the intact blood-brain barrier with low efficiency with only 0.1-0.5% of the plasma concentration occurring in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Intrathecal (IT) administration circumvents the blood-brain barrier, presenting an opportunity to better target the CNS B-cells.Aims: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of intrathecal anti-CD20 therapy with rituximab in progressive MS, its effect on disease progression through clinical parameters, and impact on biomarkers in CSF. Furthermore, this thesis aimed to evaluate the effect on biomarkers representative of cell injury related to insertion of a ventricular catheter for drug administration and to examine the interstitial milieu in the brain through microdialysis (MD).Methods: The thesis is based on the open-label, phase IIb, multicentre clinical trial Intrathecal Treatment Trial in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (ITT-PMS; EudraCT 2008-002626-11), in which 23 participants received IT treatment with rituximab, and the extended follow-up study, ITT-PMS extension (EudraCT 2012-000721-53). All participants received a ventricular catheter and an Ommaya reservoir for drug administration through a neurosurgical procedure, and 10 participants received a MD catheter in parallel to the ventricular catheter for 10 days. The treatment effect was evaluated by regular clinical evaluations and analyses of CSF. The clinical outcome was evaluated through walking and upper-limb function tests, and by clinical evaluation scales. Levels of selected CSF biomarkers were analysed from the same time-points as the clinical evaluations.Results: After the completion of the extension trial, one clinical parameter (cognitive performance) showed improvement but could most likely be explained by a learning effect. Worsening of walking speed was observed, while the remaining clinical parameters showed no change. Two severe adverse events occurred in the form of low-virulent bacterial meningitis caused by Propionibacterium, but both were treated effectively with antibiotics without residual symptoms. A ‘spike’ was noticed in the level of lumbar CSF neurofilament light (NFL) following surgery but returned to pre-surgery baseline within 6-12 months. No change was observed for any of the other lumbar CSF biomarkers. No meaningful correlation of protein levels was observed when comparing MD samples, ventricular CSF, and lumbar CSF.Conclusions: Intrathecal treatment through intraventricular administration was well tolerated but not without risks. A continued progression was observed in gait impairment. The insertion of the ventricular catheter caused white matter injury, measured through an increase in NFL in lumbar CSF, in direct association with the surgical procedure. No impact was observed on other CSF biomarkers. There was a poor correlation between different CNS compartments regarding protein levels, arguing for caution in drawing conclusions about brain pathophysiology from lumbar CSF samples.
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- Björkblom, Benny, et al.
(author)
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Distinct metabolic hallmarks of WHO classified adult glioma subtypes
- 2022
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In: Neuro-Oncology. - : Oxford University Press. - 1522-8517 .- 1523-5866. ; 24:9, s. 1454-1468
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Gliomas are complex tumors with several genetic aberrations and diverse metabolic programs contributing to their aggressive phenotypes and poor prognoses. This study defines key metabolic features that can be used to differentiate between glioma subtypes, with potential for improved diagnostics and subtype targeted therapy.METHODS: Cross-platform global metabolomic profiling coupled with clinical, genetic, and pathological analysis of glioma tissue from 224 tumors - oligodendroglioma (n=31), astrocytoma (n=31) and glioblastoma (n=162) - were performed. Identified metabolic phenotypes were evaluated in accordance with the WHO classification, IDH-mutation, 1p/19q-codeletion, WHO-grading 2-4, and MGMT promoter methylation.RESULTS: Distinct metabolic phenotypes separate all six analyzed glioma subtypes. IDH-mutated subtypes, expressing 2-hydroxyglutaric acid, were clearly distinguished from IDH-wildtype subtypes. Considerable metabolic heterogeneity outside of the mutated IDH pathway were also evident, with key metabolites being high expression of glycerophosphates, inositols, monosaccharides and sugar alcohols and low levels of sphingosine and lysoglycerophospholipids in IDH-mutants. Among the IDH-mutated subtypes, we observed high levels of amino acids, especially glycine and 2-aminoadipic acid, in grade 4 glioma, and N-acetyl aspartic acid in low-grade astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma. Both IDH-wildtype and mutated oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma were characterized by high levels of acylcarnitines, likely driven by rapid cell growth and hypoxic features. We found elevated levels of 5-HIAA in gliosarcoma and a subtype of oligodendroglioma not yet defined as a specific entity, indicating a previously not described role for the serotonin pathway linked to glioma with bimorphic tissue.CONCLUSION: Key metabolic differences exist across adult glioma subtypes.
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- Björkblom, Benny, et al.
(author)
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Metabolic response patterns in brain microdialysis fluids and serum during interstitial cisplatin treatment of high-grade glioma
- 2020
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In: British Journal of Cancer. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 0007-0920 .- 1532-1827. ; 122:2, s. 221-232
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas are associated with poor prognosis. Tumour heterogeneity and invasiveness create challenges for effective treatment and use of systemically administrated drugs. Furthermore, lack of functional predictive response-assays based on drug efficacy complicates evaluation of early treatment responses.METHODS: We used microdialysis to deliver cisplatin into the tumour and to monitor levels of metabolic compounds present in the tumour and non-malignant brain tissue adjacent to tumour, before and during treatment. In parallel, we collected serum samples and used multivariate statistics to analyse the metabolic effects.RESULTS: We found distinct metabolic patterns in the extracellular fluids from tumour compared to non-malignant brain tissue, including high concentrations of a wide range of amino acids, amino acid derivatives and reduced levels of monosaccharides and purine nucleosides. We found that locoregional cisplatin delivery had a strong metabolic effect at the tumour site, resulting in substantial release of glutamic acid, phosphate, and spermidine and a reduction of cysteine levels. In addition, patients with long-time survival displayed different treatment response patterns in both tumour and serum. Longer survival was associated with low tumour levels of lactic acid, glyceric acid, ketoses, creatinine and cysteine. Patients with longer survival displayed lower serum levels of ketohexoses, fatty acid methyl esters, glycerol-3-phosphate and alpha-tocopherol, while elevated phosphate levels were seen in both tumour and serum during treatment.CONCLUSION: We highlight distinct metabolic patterns associated with high-grade tumour metabolism, and responses to cytotoxic cisplatin treatment.
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- Stålnacke, Mattias, et al.
(author)
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Neuropsychological function and quality of life after resection of suspected lower-grade glioma in the face primary motor area
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 10:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The negative side effects of neurosurgical resection of the lower third of the primary motorcortex (M1) are often described as relatively mild. However, detailed descriptions of how theseresections affect neurocognitive function, speech, mental health and quality of life (QoL) are sparse. Inthe present study, seven patients with suspected lower-grade glioma (WHO II-III) in the inferior M1were assessed for facial motor function, cognitive function, anxiety and QoL before and after awakesurgical resections. The main finding was that after surgery, six of the seven patients experienced amild facial motor dysfunction, mainly affecting the mouth, tongue and throat. At the group level,we were also able to observe a significant postoperative decline in maximum verbal speed, whereasno negative effects on measures of word production (i.e., verbal fluency) were seen. Self-reportedQoL data suggest that some patients experienced increased social isolation postoperatively but donot lend support to the interpretation that this was caused by direct neurological side effects of thesurgery. The results appear to support the general notion that awake surgery in the lower M1 canbe performed safely and with postoperative deficits that are most often perceived by the patient astolerable.
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- Tabatabaei, Pedram, et al.
(author)
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Intratumoral retrograde microdialysis treatment of high-grade glioma with cisplatin
- 2020
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In: Acta Neurochirurgica. - : Springer. - 0001-6268 .- 0942-0940. ; 162:12, s. 3043-3053
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: This study evaluates the application of a microdialysis technique for interstitial chemotherapy using cisplatin in high-grade glioma.Method: An in vitro study demonstrated that cisplatin can be administered through retrograde microdialysis and defined the recovery for cisplatin. In a subsequent phase I study, 1–4 microdialysis catheters were implanted in tumor tissue, brain adjacent to tumor (BAT) tissue, and subcutaneous tissue in 10 patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. Cisplatin was administered continuously in daily doses between 0.3 and 3.9 mg for 4 to12 days. Microdialysis samples were continuously collected and analyzed for glucose metabolites, glutamate, glycerol, and cisplatin concentrations. Treatment tolerability was evaluated through clinical monitoring. Quality of life was assessed using the EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire for up to 3 months after treatment.Results: This in vitro study showed that cisplatin could be administrated with a recovery of 41–97%, depending on flowrate, type of catheter, and cisplatin concentration. During the treatment, patients were exposed to a total dose of 1.2–36.8 mg cisplatin. The concentration of cisplatin in BAT, serum, and subcutaneous tissue was close to detection level in all but two patients. A transient neurologic deterioration due to edema was commonly observed, but no systemic side effects were recorded. After onset of treatment, concentrations of glutamate and glycerol were significantly increased in tumor tissue but not in BAT, with a peak after 3 days, and consistent for the rest of the treatment. Five of the patients survived between 153 and 492 days after treatment.Conclusion: This phase I study demonstrates that retrograde microdialysis can be used to administer cisplatin interstitially into high-grade glioma tissue. A high cytotoxicity was detected in tumor tissue, but not in the surrounding brain. Retrograde microdialysis appears to be a clinically useful method for intratumoral drug administration in high-grade glioma.
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- Tabatabaei, Pedram, 1978-
(author)
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Stereotactic microdialysis for metabolic assessment and experimental treatment of malignant glioma
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Glioblastoma multiforme, the most common primary brain tumor, has a dire prognosis despite multimodal treatments that include surgery and radio-chemotherapy. To improve the outcome of this destructive disease, we need to improve our understanding of its tumor biology. Furthermore, the development of new treatment strategies will improve with a better understanding of the interplay between malignant cells and their direct surrounding microenvironment.This thesis aims to increase the understanding of the processes within high-grade glioma and its microenvironment during normal conditions as well as during the distress associated with treatment. Specifically, we have investigated the metabolic response to radiotherapy (study I and II), the immunologic response to radiotherapy (study II), and the metabolic response pattern to loco-regional treatment with cisplatin (study III and IV). Using microdialysis, we collected samples from the extracellular space in both normal brain and tumor tissue during radiotherapy (study I and II) and loco-regional cisplatin treatment (study III and IV). Theses samples were analyzed for glucose metabolites, glycerol, and glutamate (study I, II, and III) and for cytokines (study II). In addition, we analyzed the global metabolism with mass spectrometry to identify and assess the response pattern of malignant glioma cells to loco-regional cisplatin treatment (study IV).In study I and II, we found that malignant glioma cells used glucose at a higher rate than normal cells and preferred glycolysis for glucose metabolism. The given radiation dose (2 Gray (Gy) daily for five days) did not significantly affect glucose metabolism, glycerol levels, or glutamate levels in tumor tissue or the microenvironment. However, in study II, we observed an induced inflammatory effect due to the given radiation dose as several of the cytokines investigated showed significantly increased levels during radiotherapy. In study IV, we observed a complex and strong metabolic response to the loco-regional cisplatin therapy. At baseline, we found a metabolic pattern corresponding well with highly proliferating tumor tissue–i.e., high levels of amino acids, their metabolites, and other metabolic end products and low levels of sugar derivatives, antioxidants, and nucleotides. During the loco-regional therapy, we observed a clearly localized cytotoxic effect within the tumor and a metabolic response pattern corresponding with cisplatin’s complex mechanism of action, affecting several metabolic pathways within the malignant cell. Glutamate and glycerol also increased in tumor tissue following loco-regional treatment, a finding that further supported the observation of local toxicity.In study III, we investigated microdialysis as a method to assess the microenvironment in high-grade glioma and as a method for drug delivery (retrograde microdialysis). All studies demonstrated the usefulness of microdialysis as a tool for in vivo real-time assessment of molecular events in malignant glioma tissue. Although the method is invasive, no complications related to the surgical procedure or assessment were noted. In study III, we also demonstrated that retrograde microdialysis is a feasible method for locally delivering clinically significant doses of drugs such as cisplatin to tumor tissue in the brain. However, in addition to having a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells, cisplatin may induce clinically significant edema.
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