MRS may eliminate need for invasive brain biopsy

Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 18 No 4
Volume 18
Issue 4

Currently, the only definitive method for telling the difference between side effects of radiation therapy for brain tumors and tumor recurrence involves a biopsy of the brain tissue, said Dr. Ewell, an assistant professor in the department of radiation oncology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. MRS has the potential to eliminate the need for this invasive procedure.

Currently, the only definitive method for telling the difference between side effects of radiation therapy for brain tumors and tumor recurrence involves a biopsy of the brain tissue, said Dr. Ewell, an assistant professor in the department of radiation oncology at the University of Arizona in Tucson. MRS has the potential to eliminate the need for this invasive procedure. The authors retrospectively studied 33 brain tumor patients that had MRS spectra taken during the course of their treatment. Choline (Cho) is a metabolite that is elevate

The authors used the ratio of Cho/NAA to predict whether a lesion represented radiation necrosis or recurrent tumor: A high ratio would indicate tumor, whereas a low ratio would indicate radiation necrosis. This metabolite ratio was successful in determining the difference in roughly 80% of the cases.

They then developed a model that would indicate which of three different clinical decisions are indicated based on the ratio: If this ratio is ≤1.1, the patient would have routine follow-up.

Recent Videos
Future findings from a translational analysis of the OVATION-2 trial may corroborate prior clinical data with IMNN-001 in advanced ovarian cancer.
The dual high-affinity binding observed with ISB 2001 may avoid resistance mechanisms reported with other BCMA-targeted therapies.
The use of chemotherapy trended towards improved recurrence-free intervals in older patients with high-risk tumors as determined via the MammaPrint assay.
Use of a pharmacist-directed resource appears to improve provider confidence and adverse effect monitoring for patients undergoing infusion therapy.
Reshma L. Mahtani, DO, describes how updates from the DESTINY-Breast09, ASCENT-04, and VERITAC-2 trials may shift practices in the breast cancer field.
2 experts in this video
Related Content