Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraβe 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2024 Aug 6;12(1):124. doi: 10.1186/s40478-024-01834-8.
Epithelioid glioblastoma (eGB), a very aggressive and rare brain tumour, is associated with a dismal median overall survival. Effective therapies for patients with eGB, particularly with leptomeningeal dissemination, are still lacking. Here, we describe a case of a 25-year-old male diagnosed with an intramedullary cervical tumour with subsequent leptomeningeal disease. Histopathology identified a highly necrotising, epithelioid-type tumour with high cell density, most compatible with the diagnosis of an eGB. DNA analysis revealed an unprecedented B-Raf protooncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) gene variant in exon 15 (ENST00000288602.6, c.1799_1810delinsATG, p.(V600_W604delinsDG)), triggering activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Consequently, we initiated MAPK inhibitor (MAPKi) therapy, utilizing a combination of BRAF and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the drugs' presence in the patient's cerebrospinal fluid, indicating their capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier. Remarkably, the patient responded very well to therapy and transitioned from a near-comatose state to significantly improved health, sustained for over three months. This study highlights that MAPKi, particularly targeted towards novel BRAFV600 mutations, might offer promising advancements in eGB treatment strategies.
上皮样胶质母细胞瘤(eGB)是一种非常侵袭性和罕见的脑肿瘤,中位总生存期较差。目前仍缺乏针对 eGB 患者(尤其是有软脑膜播散的患者)的有效治疗方法。在此,我们描述了一例 25 岁男性患者,他被诊断为颈髓内肿瘤,随后发生软脑膜疾病。组织病理学鉴定为高度坏死的上皮样肿瘤,细胞密度高,最符合 eGB 的诊断。DNA 分析显示 BRAF 原癌基因丝氨酸/苏氨酸激酶(BRAF)基因外显子 15(ENST00000288602.6,c.1799_1810delinsATG,p.(V600_W604delinsDG))中存在一种前所未有的变异,触发丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路的激活。因此,我们开始使用 BRAF 和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶激酶(MEK)抑制剂的组合进行 MAPK 抑制剂(MAPKi)治疗。液相色谱-串联质谱分析证实了药物在患者脑脊液中的存在,表明它们有能力穿透血脑屏障。值得注意的是,患者对治疗反应非常好,从昏迷状态转变为明显改善的健康状况,持续了三个多月。本研究表明,MAPKi,特别是针对新型 BRAFV600 突变的治疗方法,可能为 eGB 治疗策略提供有希望的进展。