Maximizing the extent of resection in insular gliomas portends greater seizure freedom after surgery. Seizure recurrence is associated with tumor progression, and repeat operation can provide additional seizure control.

BACKGROUND Terminology to describe extent of resection in glioblastoma is inconsistent across clinical trials. A surgical classification system was previously proposed based upon residual contrast-enhancing (CE) tumor. We aimed to (I) explore the prognostic utility of the classification system and (II) define how much removed non-CE tumor translates into a survival benefit. METHODS The international RANO resect group retrospectively searched the databases from seven neuro-oncological centers in the USA and Europe for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma per WHO 2021 classification. Clinical and volumetric information from pre- and post-operative MRI were collected. RESULTS We collected 1021 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, including 1008 IDHwt patients. 744 IDHwt glioblastomas were treated with radiochemotherapy per EORTC 26981/22981 (TMZ/RT→TMZ) following surgery. Among such homogenously treated patients, lower absolute residual tumor volumes (in cm3) were favorably associated with outcome: patients with ‘maximal CE resection’ (class 2) had superior outcome compared to patients with ‘submaximal CE resection’ (class 3) or ‘biopsy’ (class 4) (median OS: 19 versus 15 versus 10 months; p=0.001). Extensive resection of non-CE tumor (≤ 5 cm3 residual non-CE tumor) provided an additional survival benefit in patients with complete CE resection, thus defining class 1 (‘supramaximal CE resection’) (median OS: 24 versus 19 months; p=0.008). The prognostic value of the resection classes was retained on multivariate analysis when adjusting for molecular and clinical markers including MGMT promotor status. Relative tumor reduction (in percentage) was not prognostic for outcome on multivariate analysis, and inter-rater agreement for CE and non-CE tumor on post-operative MRI was sufficient. CONCLUSION The proposed “RANO categories for extent of resection in glioblastoma” are highly prognostic and may serve for stratification of clinical trials. Removal of non-CE tumor beyond the CE tumor borders translates into additional survival benefit, providing a rationale to explicitly denominate such a ‘supramaximal CE resection’.

OBJECTIVE To determine safety and distribution of MTX110 delivered by CED in newly diagnosed DIPG patients. METHODS DIPG patients (3–21 years) were enrolled after radiation. CED of MTX110 combined with gadoteridol was completed based on dose levels (DL) (30–90 µM with volumes ranging from 3 cc (single dose) to 2 consecutive doses of 6 cc; total number of DL=7). Catheter position was chosen to maximize tumor coverage. Distribution of infusate was monitored with real-time MR imaging. Repeat CED was performed every 4–8 weeks if tolerated. Quality of life (QOL) assessments using PedsQL Generic Core and Brain Tumor modules were obtained at baseline (n=5), 3-months (n=3), and end of therapy (n=2). Single-cell RNA sequencing and analysis of histone modifications was performed to assess pharmacodynamic effects on DIPG cells. RESULTS Between May 2018-Dec 2019, 6 patients were enrolled (median age 8 years, range 5–21). Dose limiting toxicities included: grade 3 gait disturbance (DL7; cycle 1); grade 3 muscle weakness/vagus nerve disorder (DL5; cycle 4) and grade 2 intolerable dysphagia (DL7; cycle 4). Twelve CED procedures were completed at DL7 and repeated cycles ranged from 2 to 7. Infusion to distribution volume ratio was approximately 1:3.5. There were no significant changes in self-reported QOL. Parent ratings of patients’ worry (p = 0.04) and overall QOL (p = 0.03) significantly decreased at 3-months. CONCLUSION Repeat CED of MTX110 at the highest dose is tolerable. Tissue concentrations are likely to be substantially higher compared to oral dosing. Pharmacodynamic effects will be presented.

OBJECTIVE Healthcare disparities are widely described in adults, but barriers affecting access to care for pediatric patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) are unknown. Understanding socioeconomic factors impacting hospital access and outcomes is necessary to address pediatric healthcare disparities. METHODS In this cross-sectional observational study, the Kids’ Inpatient Database was used to identify patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of MMD from 2003 to 2016. Patients ≤ 18 years with a primary diagnosis of MMD based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes were included. Hospital admissions were queried for use of cerebral revascularization based on ICD procedure codes. RESULTS Query of the KID yielded 1449 MMD hospitalizations. After multivariable regression, Hispanic ethnicity (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.33–0.81], p = 0.004) was associated with lack of surgical revascularization. Private insurance (OR 1.56 [95% CI 1.15–2.13], p = 0.004), admissions at medium- and high-volume centers (OR 2.01 [95% CI 1.42–2.83], p < 0.001 and OR 2.84 [95% CI 1.95–4.14], p < 0.001, respectively), and elective hospitalization (OR 3.37 [95% CI 2.46–4.64], p < 0.001) were positively associated with revascularization. Compared with Caucasian race, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with increased mean (± SEM) length of stay by 2.01 ± 0.70 days (p = 0.004) and increased hospital charges by $24,333.61 ± $7918.20 (p = 0.002), despite the decreased utilization of surgical revascularization. Private insurance was associated with elective admission (OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.10–2.05], p = 0.01) and admission to high-volume centers (OR 1.90 [95% CI 1.26–2.88], p = 0.002). African American race was associated with the development of in-hospital complications (OR 2.52 [95% CI 1.38–4.59], p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Among pediatric MMD hospitalizations, multiple socioeconomic factors were associated with access to care, whether surgical treatment is provided, and whether in-hospital complications occur. These results suggest that socioeconomic factors are important drivers of healthcare disparities in children with MMD and warrant further study.