Efficacy of BRAF/MEK-inhibitor therapy for epithelioid glioblastoma with a novel BRAFV600 mutation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Research article › Contributed › peer-review
Contributors
Abstract
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.
Details
Original language | English |
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Article number | 124 |
Journal | Acta neuropathologica communications |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2024 |
Peer-reviewed | Yes |
External IDs
PubMed | 39107839 |
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ORCID | /0000-0003-0845-6793/work/165875163 |
ORCID | /0000-0003-4340-0402/work/165877319 |
ORCID | /0000-0003-1526-997X/work/165877766 |
ORCID | /0000-0003-4340-9706/work/165878059 |
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Keywords
- BRAF mutation, Epithelioid glioblastoma, Leptomeningeal disease, MAPK inhibitors