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Bevacizumab is approved for the treatment of patients with progressive glioblastoma on the basis of uncontrolled data. Data from a phase 2 trial suggested that the addition of bevacizumab to lomustine might improve overall survival as compared with monotherapies. We sought to determine whether the combination would result in longer overall survival than lomustine alone among patients at first progression of glioblastoma. We randomly assigned patients with progression after chemoradiation in a 2:1 ratio to receive lomustine plus bevacizumab (combination group, 288 patients) or lomustine alone (monotherapy group, 149 patients). The methylation status of the promoter of O -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) was assessed. Health-related quality of life and neurocognitive function were evaluated at baseline and every 12 weeks. The primary end point of the trial was overall survival. A total of 437 patients underwent randomization. The median number of 6-week treatment cycles was three in the combination group and one in the monotherapy group. With 329 overall survival events (75.3%), the combination therapy did not provide a survival advantage; the median overall survival was 9.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.1 to 10.1) in the combination group and 8.6 months (95% CI, 7.6 to 10.4) in the monotherapy group (hazard ratio for death, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.21; P=0.65). Locally assessed progression-free survival was 2.7 months longer in the combination group than in the monotherapy group: 4.2 months versus 1.5 months (hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.61; P<0.001). Grade 3 to 5 adverse events occurred in 63.6% of the patients in the combination group and 38.1% of the patients in the monotherapy group. The addition of bevacizumab to lomustine affected neither health-related quality of life nor neurocognitive function. The MGMT status was prognostic. Despite somewhat prolonged progression-free survival, treatment with lomustine plus bevacizumab did not confer a survival advantage over treatment with lomustine alone in patients with progressive glioblastoma. (Funded by an unrestricted educational grant from F. Hoffmann-La Roche and by the EORTC Cancer Research Fund; EORTC 26101 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01290939 ; Eudra-CT number, 2010-023218-30 .).

Mutated isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 ( IDH1 ) defines a molecularly distinct subtype of diffuse glioma 1 – 3 . The most common IDH1 mutation in gliomas affects codon 132 and encodes IDH1(R132H), which harbours a shared clonal neoepitope that is presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II 4 , 5 . An IDH1(R132H)-specific peptide vaccine (IDH1-vac) induces specific therapeutic T helper cell responses that are effective against IDH1(R132H) + tumours in syngeneic MHC-humanized mice 4 , 6 – 8 . Here we describe a multicentre, single-arm, open-label, first-in-humans phase I trial that we carried out in 33 patients with newly diagnosed World Health Organization grade 3 and 4 IDH1(R132H) + astrocytomas (Neurooncology Working Group of the German Cancer Society trial 16 (NOA16), ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02454634). The trial met its primary safety endpoint, with vaccine-related adverse events restricted to grade 1. Vaccine-induced immune responses were observed in 93.3% of patients across multiple MHC alleles. Three-year progression-free and death-free rates were 0.63 and 0.84, respectively. Patients with immune responses showed a two-year progression-free rate of 0.82. Two patients without an immune response showed tumour progression within two years of first diagnosis. A mutation-specificity score that incorporates the duration and level of vaccine-induced IDH1(R132H)-specific T cell responses was associated with intratumoral presentation of the IDH1(R132H) neoantigen in pre-treatment tumour tissue. There was a high frequency of pseudoprogression, which indicates intratumoral inflammatory reactions. Pseudoprogression was associated with increased vaccine-induced peripheral T cell responses. Combined single-cell RNA and T cell receptor sequencing showed that tumour-infiltrating CD40LG + and CXCL13 + T helper cell clusters in a patient with pseudoprogression were dominated by a single IDH1(R132H)-reactive T cell receptor. A phase 1 clinical trial provides evidence that a vaccine against mutant IDH1 is safe and produces a T helper immune response in patients with glioma.

IntroductionA hallmark of pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) is aberrant signaling of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Hence, inhibition of MAPK signaling using small molecule inhibitors such as MEK inhibitors (MEKi) may be a promising strategy.MethodsIn this multi-center retrospective centrally reviewed study, we analyzed 18 patients treated with the MEKi trametinib for progressive pLGG as an individual treatment decision between 2015 and 2019. We have investigated radiological response as per central radiology review, molecular classification and investigator observed toxicity.ResultsWe observed 6 partial responses (PR), 2 minor responses (MR), and 10 stable diseases (SD) as best overall responses. Disease control rate (DCR) was 100% under therapy. Responses were observed in KIAA1549:BRAF- as well as neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-driven tumors. Median treatment time was 12.5 months (range: 2 to 27 months). Progressive disease was observed in three patients after cessation of trametinib treatment within a median time of 3 (2–4) months. Therapy related adverse events occurred in 16/18 patients (89%). Eight of 18 patients (44%) experienced severe adverse events (CTCAE III and/or IV; most commonly skin rash and paronychia) requiring dose reduction in 6/18 patients (33%), and discontinuation of treatment in 2/18 patients (11%).ConclusionsTrametinib was an active and feasible treatment for progressive pLGG leading to disease control in all patients. However, treatment related toxicity interfered with treatment in individual patients, and disease control after MEKi withdrawal was not sustained in a fraction of patients. Our data support in-class efficacy of MEKi in pLGGs and necessity for upfront randomized testing of trametinib against current standard chemotherapy regimens.

Background Without neonatal initiation of treatment, 80–90% of patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) develop striatal injury during the first six years of life resulting in a complex, predominantly dystonic movement disorder. Onset of motor symptoms may be acute following encephalopathic crisis or insidious without apparent crisis. Additionally, so-called late-onset GA1 has been described in single patients diagnosed after the age of 6 years. With the aim of better characterizing and understanding late-onset GA1 we analyzed clinical findings, biochemical phenotype, and MRI changes of eight late-onset patients and compared these to eight control patients over the age of 6 years with early diagnosis and start of treatment. Results No late-onset or control patient had either dystonia or striatal lesions on MRI. All late-onset (8/8) patients were high excretors, but only four of eight control patients. Two of eight late-onset patients were diagnosed after the age of 60 years, presenting with dementia, tremor, and epilepsy, while six were diagnosed before the age of 30 years: Three were asymptomatic mothers identified by following a positive screening result in their newborns and three had non-specific general symptoms, one with additional mild neurological deficits. Frontotemporal hypoplasia and white matter changes were present in all eight and subependymal lesions in six late-onset patients. At comparable age a greater proportion of late-onset patients had (non-specific) clinical symptoms and possibly subependymal nodules compared to control patients, in particular in comparison to the four clinically and MR-wise asymptomatic low-excreting control patients. Conclusions While clinical findings are non-specific, frontotemporal hypoplasia and subependymal nodules are characteristic MRI findings of late-onset GA1 and should trigger diagnostic investigation for this rare disease. Apart from their apparent non-susceptibility for striatal injury despite lack of treatment, patients with late-on s et GA1 are not categorically different from early treated control patients. Differences between late-onset patients and early treated control patients most likely reflect greater cumulative neurotoxicity in individuals remaining undiagnosed and untreated for years, even decades as well as the higher long-term risk of high excretors for intracerebral accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites compared to low excretors.

TUBA1A tubulinopathy is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with brain malformations as well as early-onset and intractable epilepsy. As pathomechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations are not completely understood, we aimed to provide further insights into the phenotypic and genetic spectrum. We here present a multicenter case series of ten unrelated individuals from four European countries using systematic MRI re-evaluation, protein structure analysis, and prediction score modeling. In two cases, pregnancy was terminated due to brain malformations. Amongst the eight living individuals, the phenotypic range showed various severity. Global developmental delay and severe motor impairment with tetraparesis was present in 63% and 50% of the subjects, respectively. Epilepsy was observed in 75% of the cases, which showed infantile onset in 83% and a refractory course in 50%. One individual presented a novel TUBA1A-associated electroclinical phenotype with evolvement from early myoclonic encephalopathy to continuous spike-and-wave during sleep. Neuroradiological features comprised a heterogeneous spectrum of cortical and extracortical malformations including rare findings such as cobblestone lissencephaly and subcortical band heterotopia. Two individuals developed hydrocephalus with subsequent posterior infarction. We report four novel and five previously published TUBA1A missense variants whose resulting amino acid substitutions likely affect longitudinal, lateral, and motor protein interactions as well as GTP binding. Assessment of pathogenic and benign variant distributions in synopsis with prediction scores revealed sections of variant enrichment and intolerance to missense variation. We here extend the clinical, neuroradiological, and genetic spectrum of TUBA1A tubulinopathy and provide insights into residue-specific pathomechanisms and genotype-phenotype correlations.

Purpose Biallelic variants in LARS1 , coding for the cytosolic leucyl-tRNA synthetase, cause infantile liver failure syndrome 1 (ILFS1). Since its description in 2012, there has been no systematic analysis of the clinical spectrum and genetic findings. Methods Individuals with biallelic variants in LARS1 were included through an international, multicenter collaboration including novel and previously published patients. Clinical variables were analyzed and functional studies were performed in patient-derived fibroblasts. Results Twenty-five individuals from 15 families were ascertained including 12 novel patients with eight previously unreported variants. The most prominent clinical findings are recurrent elevation of liver transaminases up to liver failure and encephalopathic episodes, both triggered by febrile illness. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) changes during an encephalopathic episode can be consistent with metabolic stroke. Furthermore, growth retardation, microcytic anemia, neurodevelopmental delay, muscular hypotonia, and infection-related seizures are prevalent. Aminoacylation activity is significantly decreased in all patient cells studied upon temperature elevation in vitro. Conclusion ILFS1 is characterized by recurrent elevation of liver transaminases up to liver failure in conjunction with abnormalities of growth, blood, nervous system, and musculature. Encephalopathic episodes with seizures can occur independently from liver crises and may present with metabolic stroke.

Background Pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory disease represent a population with a desperate medical need. The aim of the INFORM (INdividualized Therapy FOr Relapsed Malignancies in Childhood) program is to translate next generation molecular diagnostics into a biomarker driven treatment strategy. The program consists of two major foundations: the INFORM registry providing a molecular screening platform and the INFORM2 series of biomarker driven phase I/II trials. The INFORM2 NivEnt trial aims to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of the combination treatment of nivolumab and entinostat (phase I) and to evaluate activity and safety (phase II). Methods This is an exploratory non-randomized, open-label, multinational and multicenter seamless phase I/II trial in children and adolescents with relapsed / refractory or progressive high-risk solid tumors and CNS tumors. The phase I is divided in 2 age cohorts: 12–21 years and 6–11 years and follows a 3 + 3 design with two dose levels for entinostat (2 mg/m 2 and 4 mg/m 2 once per week) and fixed dose nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks). Patients entering the trial on RP2D can seamlessly enter phase II which consists of a biomarker defined four group basket trial: high mutational load (group A), high PD-L1 mRNA expression (group B), focal MYC(N) amplification (group C), low mutational load and low PD-L1 mRNA expression and no MYC(N) amplification (group D). A Bayesian adaptive design will be used to early stop cohorts that fail to show evidence of activity. The maximum number of patients is 128. Discussion This trial intends to exploit the immune enhancing effects of entinostat on nivolumab using an innovative biomarker driven approach in order to maximize the chance of detecting signs of activity. It prevents exposure to unnecessary risks by applying the Bayesian adaptive design for early stopping for futility. The adaptive biomarker driven design provides an innovative approach accelerating drug development and reducing exposure to investigational treatments in these vulnerable children at the same time. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03838042 . Registered on 12 February 2019.

Biallelic variants in POLR3A cause 4H leukodystrophy, characterized by hypomyelination in combination with cerebellar and pyramidal signs and variable non-neurological manifestations. Basal ganglia are spared in 4H leukodystrophy, and dystonia is not prominent. Three patients with variants in POLR3A, an atypical presentation with dystonia, and MR involvement of putamen and caudate nucleus (striatum) and red nucleus have previously been reported. Genetic, clinical findings and 18 MRI scans from nine patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous POLR3A variants and predominant striatal changes were retrospectively reviewed in order to characterize the striatal variant of POLR3A-associated disease. Prominent extrapyramidal involvement was the predominant clinical sign in all patients. The three youngest children were severely affected with muscle hypotonia, impaired head control, and choreic movements. Presentation of the six older patients was milder. Two brothers diagnosed with juvenile parkinsonism were homozygous for the c.1771-6C > G variant in POLR3A; the other seven either carried c.1771-6C > G (n = 1) or c.1771-7C > G (n = 7) together with another variant (missense, synonymous, or intronic). Striatal T2-hyperintensity and atrophy together with involvement of the superior cerebellar peduncles were characteristic. Additional MRI findings were involvement of dentate nuclei, hila, or peridentate white matter (3, 6, and 4/9), inferior cerebellar peduncles (6/9), red nuclei (2/9), and abnormal myelination of pyramidal and visual tracts (6/9) but no frank hypomyelination. Clinical and MRI findings in patients with a striatal variant of POLR3A-related disease are distinct from 4H leukodystrophy and associated with one of two intronic variants, c.1771-6C > G or c.1771-7C > G, in combination with another POLR3A variant.

IntroductionDiffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are universally lethal central nervous system tumors that carry almost unanimously the clonal driver mutation histone-3 K27M (H3K27M). The single amino acid substitution of lysine to methionine harbors a neoantigen that is presented in tumor tissue. The long peptide vaccine H3K27M-vac targeting this major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC class II)-restricted neoantigen induces mutation-specific immune responses that suppress the growth of H3K27M+ flank tumors in an MHC-humanized rodent model.MethodsINTERCEPT H3 is a non-controlled open label, single arm, multicenter national phase 1 trial to assess safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of H3K27M-vac in combination with standard radiotherapy and the immune checkpoint inhibitor atezolizumab (ATE). 15 adult patients with newly diagnosed K27M-mutant histone-3.1 (H3.1K27M) or histone-3.3 (H3.3K27M) DMG will be enrolled in this trial. The 27mer peptide vaccine H3K27M-vac will be administered concomitantly to standard radiotherapy (RT) followed by combinatorial treatment with the programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD-L1) targeting antibody ATE. The first three vaccines will be administered bi-weekly (q2w) followed by a dose at the beginning of recovery after RT and six-weekly administrations of doses 5 to 11 thereafter. In a safety lead-in, the first three patients (pts. 1–3) will be enrolled sequentially.PerspectiveH3K27M-vac is a neoepitope targeting long peptide vaccine derived from the clonal driver mutation H3K27M in DMG. The INTERCEPT H3 trial aims at demonstrating (1) safety and (2) immunogenicity of repeated fixed dose vaccinations of H3K27M-vac administered with RT and ATE in adult patients with newly diagnosed H3K27M-mutant DMG.Trial registrationNCT04808245.

The Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) criteria and requirements for a uniform protocol have been introduced to standardise assessment of MRI scans in both clinical trials and clinical practice. However, these criteria mainly rely on manual two-dimensional measurements of contrast-enhancing (CE) target lesions and thus restrict both reliability and accurate assessment of tumour burden and treatment response. We aimed to develop a framework relying on artificial neural networks (ANNs) for fully automated quantitative analysis of MRI in neuro-oncology to overcome the inherent limitations of manual assessment of tumour burden. In this retrospective study, we compiled a single-institution dataset of MRI data from patients with brain tumours being treated at Heidelberg University Hospital (Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg training dataset) to develop and train an ANN for automated identification and volumetric segmentation of CE tumours and non-enhancing T2-signal abnormalities (NEs) on MRI. Independent testing and large-scale application of the ANN for tumour segmentation was done in a single-institution longitudinal testing dataset from the Heidelberg University Hospital and in a multi-institutional longitudinal testing dataset from the prospective randomised phase 2 and 3 European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-26101 trial (NCT01290939), acquired at 38 institutions across Europe. In both longitudinal datasets, spatial and temporal tumour volume dynamics were automatically quantified to calculate time to progression, which was compared with time to progression determined by RANO, both in terms of reliability and as a surrogate endpoint for predicting overall survival. We integrated this approach for fully automated quantitative analysis of MRI in neuro-oncology within an application-ready software infrastructure and applied it in a simulated clinical environment of patients with brain tumours from the Heidelberg University Hospital (Heidelberg simulation dataset). For training of the ANN, MRI data were collected from 455 patients with brain tumours (one MRI per patient) being treated at Heidelberg hospital between July 29, 2009, and March 17, 2017 (Heidelberg training dataset). For independent testing of the ANN, an independent longitudinal dataset of 40 patients, with data from 239 MRI scans, was collected at Heidelberg University Hospital in parallel with the training dataset (Heidelberg test dataset), and 2034 MRI scans from 532 patients at 34 institutions collected between Oct 26, 2011, and Dec 3, 2015, in the EORTC-26101 study were of sufficient quality to be included in the EORTC-26101 test dataset. The ANN yielded excellent performance for accurate detection and segmentation of CE tumours and NE volumes in both longitudinal test datasets (median DICE coefficient for CE tumours 0·89 [95% CI 0·86–0·90], and for NEs 0·93 [0·92–0·94] in the Heidelberg test dataset; CE tumours 0·91 [0·90–0·92], NEs 0·93 [0·93–0·94] in the EORTC-26101 test dataset). Time to progression from quantitative ANN-based assessment of tumour response was a significantly better surrogate endpoint than central RANO assessment for predicting overall survival in the EORTC-26101 test dataset (hazard ratios ANN 2·59 [95% CI 1·86–3·60] vs central RANO 2·07 [1·46–2·92]; p<0·0001) and also yielded a 36% margin over RANO (p<0·0001) when comparing reliability values (ie, agreement in the quantitative volumetrically defined time to progression [based on radiologist ground truth vs automated assessment with ANN] of 87% [266 of 306 with sufficient data] compared with 51% [155 of 306] with local vs independent central RANO assessment). In the Heidelberg simulation dataset, which comprised 466 patients with brain tumours, with 595 MRI scans obtained between April 27, and Sept 17, 2018, automated on-demand processing of MRI scans and quantitative tumour response assessment within the simulated clinical environment required 10 min of computation time (average per scan). Overall, we found that ANN enabled objective and automated assessment of tumour response in neuro-oncology at high throughput and could ultimately serve as a blueprint for the application of ANN in radiology to improve clinical decision making. Future research should focus on prospective validation within clinical trials and application for automated high-throughput imaging biomarker discovery and extension to other diseases. Medical Faculty Heidelberg Postdoc-Program, Else Kröner-Fresenius Foundation.