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Aberrant expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been reported to be involved in the development and progression of various types of cancers. However, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of miR-146a to various aspects of the malignant phenotype of human NSCLCs. In functional experiments, miR-146a suppressed cell growth, induced cellular apoptosis and inhibited EGFR downstream signaling in five NSCLC cell lines (H358, H1650, H1975, HCC827 and H292). miR-146a also inhibited the migratory capacity of these NSCLC cells. On the other hand, miR-146a enhanced the inhibition of cell proliferation by drugs targeting EGFR, including both TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib) and a monoclonal antibody (cetuximab). These effects were independent of the EGFR mutation status (wild type, sensitizing mutation or resistance mutation), but were less potent compared to the effects of siRNA targeting of EGFR. Our results suggest that these effects of miR-146a are due to its targeting of EGFR and NF-κB signaling. We also found, in clinical formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) lung cancer samples, that low expression of miR-146a was correlated with advanced clinical TNM stages and distant metastasis in NSCLC (P<0.05). The patients with high miR-146a expression in their tumors showed longer progression-free survival (25.6 weeks in miR-146a high patients vs. 4.8 weeks in miR-146a low patients, P<0.05). miR-146a is therefore a strong candidate prognostic biomarker in NSCLC. Thus inducing miR-146a might be a therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

Mutation and gene amplification of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most common genetic alterations in glioblastoma (GB). EGFR is, therefore, an attractive molecular target for the treatment of GB. EGFR-targeted therapies however have been largely ineffective in clinical trials. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the EGFR gene amplification status, expression of the EGFR variant III (EGFRvIII) and EGFR variant IV (EGFRvIV) mutations, expression of the phosphatase and tensin homologue gene on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and mutation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene and the survival of patients suffering from recurrent glioblastoma who were treated with the EGFR-targeted monoclonal antibody cetuximab in a prospective phase II clinical trial. EGFR amplification was detected in 19 out of 35 GB (54%), EGFRvIII expression in 11 (31.4%) and EGFRvIV expression in 7 (20%). The EGFRvIII and EGFRvIV mutations were exclusively found in GB with EGFR amplification and were almost mutually exclusive with IDH1 mutation (EGFRvIII mutation was found in 1 out of 11 GB with an IDH1 mutation). Patients with an EGFR amplification lacking EGFRvIII expression had a significantly superior progression free survival (PFS) and a numerical better overall survival (OS) following treatment with cetuximab [median PFS 3.03 vs. 1.63 months (p=0.006); median OS 5.57 vs. 3.97 months (p=0.12)]. Within the subgroup of patients with EGFR amplification, patients with EGFRvIII positive glioblastoma had a worse survival [median PFS 1.63 vs. 3.03 months (p=0.01); median OS 3.27 vs. 5.57 months (p=0.08)]. Our observations indicate that the type of EGFR mutation may determine the outcome of GB patients treated with cetuximab. Prospective investigation of both the EGFR amplification and mutation status in clinical trials with EGFR-targeted therapies for GB is indicated.

Somatic mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene have been frequently found in low-grade glioma and secondary glioblastoma and are associated with a significantly younger age at diagnosis and a superior overall survival. We investigated the IDH1 gene mutation status by nested PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) on DNA extracted from archival tumor blocks of 63 glioma patients who were treated following recurrence with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted blocking monoclonal antibody cetuximab, or the vascular endothelial growth factor (receptor) (VEGF(R))-targeted agents sunitinib malate and bevacizumab. In our study population, IDH1 mutation was significantly correlated with a longer overall survival (OS) from the time of initial diagnosis. Patients with IDH1 mutation also had a superior OS from the time of recurrence when treated with sunitinib or bevacizumab but a worse OS when treated with cetuximab. Our observations support the hypothesis that IDH1 mutation may correlate with the benefit from VEGF(R)- versus EGFR-targeted therapy at the time of recurrence in glioma patients.

Dose-dense temozolomide schedules deplete O6-methylguanine methyltransferase and may overcome chemoresistance. This multicenter cohort study enrolled 19 patients (15 anaplastic astrocytoma, 4 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma) who received temozolomide (100 mg/m2/day for 21 consecutive days every 28-day cycle) at first recurrence, either until disease progression or 12 cycles. Six-month progression-free survival was 56%, comparing favorably with historic controls treated with the standard 5-day temozolomide schedule. Median survival was 12.9 months (95% CI: 3.7, 22 months). Among 15 evaluable patients, 2 had a complete or partial response, and 10 had stable disease. Grade 3 and 4 lymphopenia occurred in 53% and 47% of patients, respectively.

Low-grade gliomas (LGG) are a group of uncommon neuroglial tumors of the central nervous system. They are characterized by a grade I or II according to the WHO classification. Grade I tumors are non-invasive and amenable to surgical resection with curative intent. Diffuse infiltrating LGG (WHO grade II) are tumors with a highly variable prognosis. Curative resection can only rarely be achieved and progression is characterized by transformation into a high-grade glioma (WHO grade III-IV). There are only limited evidence-based treatment recommendations for the management of progressive LGG because of a lack of data from prospective randomized trials. Most often radiotherapy is offered to patients with symptomatic and/or progressive disease. Three randomized trials have failed to demonstrate a survival improvement with either early versus delayed radiation or with a higher dose of radiation. The potential role of chemotherapy for the treatment of LGG has only been addressed in phase II trials. The PCV-chemotherapy regimen is associated with considerable toxicity that limits its applicability. The results with temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy have been more promising. Patients with chemosensitive LGG as predicted by heterozygotic loss of chromosomal arms Ip and 19q or methylation of the promoter of the MGMT-gene in the genome of the glioma cells respond to TMZ. Radiotherapy will be compared to chemotherapy asfirst line treatment for LGG in two phase III studies that are planned for by the brain tumor group of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (BTG-EORTC) and Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).

Gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors. They are derived from glial cells of astrocytic, oligodendroglial and ependymal origin. According to the WHO classification of brain tumors gliomas are divided in low-grade (grades I and II) and high-grade (grades III and IV) tumors. Low-grade tumors are well-differentiated, slow-growing lesions. Grade I tumors are well-circumscribed and often surgically curable, whereas grade II tumors are diffuse, infiltrating lesions with a marked potential over time for progression towards a high-grade malignant tumor. The optimal management of low-grade gliomas is still debated. Important prognostic factors such as histology, grade and location of the tumor, age and functional status of the patient, must be taken into consideration to select the most appropriate treatment. Major advances in the molecular genetic assessment of brain tumors and of gliomas in particular have lead to the identification of several molecular markers playing a crucial role in the development of gliomas and in their malignant transformation. Some of those markers were found very useful to assist in the histological diagnosis and to predict survival and response to therapy. A combined deletion of chromosomes arms 1p and 19q can be found in more than 50% of Grade II and III oligodendrogliomas and has been associated with chemosensitivity and a better prognosis. Once limited to the field of research, molecular biology has now entered the daily neuropathological practice and will undoubtedly play an increasing role in future classification and treatment of brain tumors.