Sonia Partap

All Publications

• Discontinuation of Antiseizure Medications in Patients With Brain Tumors. Neurology Peters, K. B., Templer, J., Gerstner, E. R., Wychowski, T., Storstein, A. M., Dixit, K., Walbert, T., Melnick, K., Hrachova, M., Partap, S., Ullrich, N. J., Ghiaseddin, A. P., Mrgula, M. 2024; 102 (4): e209163

  Abstract

  Patients with brain tumors will experience seizures during their disease course. While providers can use antiseizure medications to control these events, patients with brain tumors can experience side effects, ranging from mild to severe, from these medications. Providers in subspecialties such as neurology, neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology often work with patients with brain tumor to balance seizure control and the adverse toxicity of antiseizure medications. In this study, we sought to explore the problem of brain tumor-related seizures/epilepsy in the context of how and when to consider antiseizure medication discontinuation. Moreover, we thoroughly evaluate the literature on antiseizure medication discontinuation for adult and pediatric patients and highlight recommendations relevant to patients with both brain tumors and seizures.

  View details for DOI 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209163

  View details for PubMedID 38290092

• Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Consensus Guideline: Report of the AAN Guidelines Subcommittee, AAP, CNS, and SCCM. Neurology Greer, D. M., Kirschen, M. P., Lewis, A., Gronseth, G. S., Rae-Grant, A., Ashwal, S., Babu, M. A., Bauer, D. F., Billinghurst, L., Corey, A., Partap, S., Rubin, M. A., Shutter, L., Takahashi, C., Tasker, R. C., Varelas, P. N., Wijdicks, E., Bennett, A., Wessels, S. R., Halperin, J. J. 2023

  Abstract

  The purpose of this guideline is to update the 2010 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC) guideline for adults and the 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society, and Society of Critical Care Medicine guideline for infants and children and to clarify the BD/DNC determination process by integrating guidance for adults and children into a single guideline. Updates in this guideline include guidance related to conducting the BD/DNC evaluation in the context of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, targeted temperature management, and primary infratentorial injury.A panel of experts from multiple medical societies developed BD/DNC recommendations. Because of the lack of high-quality evidence on the subject, a novel, evidence-informed formal consensus process was used. This process relied on the panel experts' review and detailed knowledge of the literature surrounding BD/DNC to guide the development of preliminary recommendations. Recommendations were formulated and voted on, using a modified Delphi process, according to the 2017 AAN Clinical Practice Guideline Process Manual.Eighty-five recommendations were developed on the following: (1) general principles for the BD/DNC evaluation, (2) qualifications to perform BD/DNC evaluations, (3) prerequisites for BD/DNC determination, (4) components of the BD/DNC neurologic examination, (5) apnea testing as part of the BD/DNC evaluation, (6) ancillary testing as part of the BD/DNC evaluation, and (7) special considerations for BD/DNC determination.

  View details for DOI 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207740

  View details for PubMedID 37821233

• Pediatric Central Nervous System Cancers, Version 2.2023 JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK Gajjar, A., Mahajan, A., Abdelbaki, M., Anderson, C., Antony, R., Bale, T., Bindra, R., Bowers, D. C., Cohen, K., Cole, B., Dorris, K., Ermoian, R., Franson, A., Helgager, J., Landi, D., Lin, C., Metrock, L., Nanda, R., Palmer, J., Partap, S., Plant, A., Pruthi, S., Reynolds, R., Ruggieri, P., Stearns, D., Storm, P., Wang, A., Warren, K., Whipple, N., Zaky, W., McMillian, N. R., Pluchino, L. A. 2022; 20 (12): 1339-1362

  Abstract

  Central nervous system (CNS) cancers account for approximately one quarter of all pediatric tumors and are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. More than 4,000 brain and CNS tumors are diagnosed each year in children and teens, and the incidence rate has remained stagnant in recent years. The most common malignant pediatric CNS tumors are gliomas, embryonal tumors consisting of predominately medulloblastomas, and germ cell tumors. The inaugural version of the NCCN Guidelines for Pediatric Central Nervous System Cancers focuses on the diagnosis and management of patients with pediatric diffuse high-grade gliomas. The information contained in the NCCN Guidelines is designed to help clinicians navigate the complex management of pediatric patients with diffuse high-grade gliomas. The prognosis for these highly aggressive tumors is generally poor, with 5-year survival rates of <20% despite the use of combined modality therapies of surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy. Recent advances in molecular profiling has expanded the use of targeted therapies in patients whose tumors harbor certain alterations. However, enrollment in a clinical trial is the preferred treatment for eligible patients.

  View details for DOI 10.6004/jnccn.2022.0062

  View details for Web of Science ID 000919588100010

  View details for PubMedID 36509072

• Intravenous and intracranial GD2-CAR T cells for H3K27M+ diffuse midline gliomas. Nature Monje, M., Mahdi, J., Majzner, R., Yeom, K. W., Schultz, L. M., Richards, R. M., Barsan, V., Song, K. W., Kamens, J., Baggott, C., Kunicki, M., Rietberg, S. P., Lim, A. S., Reschke, A., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Erickson, C., Jacobs, A., Duh, A. K., Tunuguntla, R., Klysz, D. D., Fowler, C., Green, S., Beebe, B., Carr, C., Fujimoto, M., Brown, A. K., Petersen, A. G., McIntyre, C., Siddiqui, A., Lepori-Bui, N., Villar, K., Pham, K., Bove, R., Musa, E., Reynolds, W. D., Kuo, A., Prabhu, S., Rasmussen, L., Cornell, T. T., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Campen, C. J., Grant, G., Prolo, L., Ye, X., Sahaf, B., Davis, K. L., Feldman, S. A., Ramakrishna, S., Mackall, C. 2024

  Abstract

  H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) express high levels of the disialoganglioside GD2 (ref. 1). Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells targeting GD2 (GD2-CART) eradicated DMGs in preclinical models2. Arm A of Phase I trial no. NCT04196413 (ref. 3) administered one intravenous (IV) dose of autologous GD2-CART to patients with H3K27M-mutant pontine (DIPG) or spinal DMG (sDMG) at two dose levels (DL1, 1 × 106 kg-1; DL2, 3 × 106 kg-1) following lymphodepleting chemotherapy. Patients with clinical or imaging benefit were eligible for subsequent intracerebroventricular (ICV) intracranial infusions (10-30 × 106 GD2-CART). Primary objectives were manufacturing feasibility, tolerability and the identification of maximally tolerated IV dose. Secondary objectives included preliminary assessments of benefit. Thirteen patients enroled, with 11 receiving IV GD2-CART on study (n = 3 DL1 (3 DIPG); n = 8 DL2 (6 DIPG, 2 sDMG)). GD2-CART manufacture was successful for all patients. No dose-limiting toxicities occurred on DL1, but three patients experienced dose-limiting cytokine release syndrome on DL2, establishing DL1 as the maximally tolerated IV dose. Nine patients received ICV infusions, with no dose-limiting toxicities. All patients exhibited tumour inflammation-associated neurotoxicity, safely managed with intensive monitoring and care. Four patients demonstrated major volumetric tumour reductions (52, 54, 91 and 100%), with a further three patients exhibiting smaller reductions. One patient exhibited a complete response ongoing for over 30 months since enrolment. Nine patients demonstrated neurological benefit, as measured by a protocol-directed clinical improvement score. Sequential IV, followed by ICV GD2-CART, induced tumour regressions and neurological improvements in patients with DIPG and those with sDMG.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-024-08171-9

  View details for PubMedID 39537919

  View details for PubMedCentralID 5996391

• SOMATICTP53,PIK3R1, NF1 ORTERT MUTATIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INFERIOR CLINICAL OUTCOME IN H3K27M-ALTERED DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA Nguyen, T., Lerman, B., Stoller, S., Muller, T., Comfort, L., Lyons, S., Holman, L., Lucas Junior, C., Banerjee, A., Reddy, A., Gupta, N., Whipple, N., Gerber, N., Stuecklin, A., Areza, E., Marion, R., Knowles, T., Solomon, D., Franson, A., Koschmann, C., Partap, S., Monje, M., Prolo, L., Cheshier, S., Antony, R., Bhatia, A., Foster, J., LaRiviere, M., Maule, L., Carrion, A. W., Kline, C., Bruningk, S., Nazarian, J., Waszak, S. M., Mueller, S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.130

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000234

• REPORT ON PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM (PBTC)-029B, A PROSPECTIVE PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL OF SELUMETINIB IN TREATING YOUNG PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT/PROGRESSIVE LOW-GRADE GLIOMA: NEW RESULTS ON STRATA 2, 5, AND 6 WITH UPDATED LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OUTCOMES ON STRATA 1, 3, AND 4 Fangusaro, J., Onar-Thomas, A., Poussaint, T., Lensing, S., Ligon, A. H., Lindeman, N., Banerjee, A., Kilburn, L., Lenzen, A., Pillay-Smiley, N., Pollack, I. F., Robison, N., Partap, S., Qaddoumi, I., Landi, D., Jones, D. W., Stewart, C. F., Fouladi, M., Dunkel, I. J. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.398

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000515

• PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM (PBTC)-056: A PHASE 1 STUDY OF THE ADAM-10 INHIBITOR, INCB007839, IN CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT/PROGRESSIVE HIGH-GRADE GLIOMAS TO TARGET MICROENVIRONMENTAL NEUROLOGIN-3 Lenzen, A., Partap, S., Billups, C., Poussaint, T., Sait, S., Robison, N., Castellino, C. C., Felker, J., Stewart, C., Fangusaro, J., Onar-Thomas, A., Dunkel, I. J., Warren, K. E., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.035

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000360

• EFFECT OF REDUCED-DOSE CRANIOSPINAL IRRADIATION AND REDUCED-DOSE ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH WNT MEDULLOBLASTOMA WITHOUT RESIDUAL OR METASTATIC DISEASE: RESULTS FROM THE SJMB12 CLINICAL TRIAL Robinson, G. W., Merchant, T. E., Orr, B. A., Bass, J. K., Conklin, H. M., Bag, A., Dhanda, S. K., Pinto, S., Delaney, A., Mikkelsen, M., Reddick, W., Huang, J., Ashford, J., Edwards, A., Christy, L., Soans, E., Clarke, M., Strother, D., Fisher, M. J., Bendel, A., Hwang, E., Zhao, S., Smith, A., Gottardo, N. G., Hassall, T. G., Elster, J., Perreault, S., Ramaswamy, V., Partap, S., Laughton, S., Cohn, R., Chintagumpala, M., Mccowage, G., Sullivan, M., Sayour, E., Bowers, D., Marks, A., Lucas, J., Tinkle, C., Sabin, N. D., Klimo, P., Ellison, D. W., Northcott, P. A., Onar-Thomas, A., Gajjar, A. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.540

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000672

• TUMOR INFLAMMATION-ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY (TIAN): A TOXICITY SYNDROME IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS Mahdi, J., Dietrich, J., Straathof, K., Roddie, C., Scott, B. J., Davidson, T., Prolo, L., Batchelor, T. T., Campen, C. J., Davis, K. L., Gust, J., Lim, M., Majzner, R. G., Park, J. R., Partap, S., Ramakrishna, S., Richards, R., Schultz, L., Vitanza, N. A., Wang, L. D., Mackall, C. L., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.384

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000574

• CEREBROSPINAL FLUID DIVERSION DOES NOT PROLONG OVERALL SURVIVAL IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG): A REPORT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DIPG REGISTRY Manoharan, N., Cooney, T., Dewire-Schottmiller, M., Lane, A., Nellan, A., Leary, S., Partap, S., Kilburn, L., Wright, K. D., Hummel, T., Ziegler, D. S., Fouladi, M., Hoffman, L. M., Warren, K. E. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2024

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noae064.105

  View details for Web of Science ID 001252720000132

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Orbital Imaging and Vision Loss-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Maheshwari, M., Ho, M., Bosemani, T., Dahmoush, H., Fredrick, D., Guimaraes, C. V., Gulko, E., Jaimes, C., Joseph, M. M., Kaplan, S. L., Miyamoto, R. C., Nadel, H. R., Partap, S., Pfeifer, C. M., Pruthi, S. 2024; 21 (6S): S219-S236

  Abstract

  Orbital disorders in children consist of varied pathologies affecting the orbits, orbital contents, visual pathway, and innervation of the extraocular or intraocular muscles. The underlying etiology of these disorders may be traumatic or nontraumatic. Presumed location of the lesion along with the additional findings, such as eye pain, swelling, exophthalmos/enophthalmos, erythema, conjunctival vascular dilatation, intraocular pressure, etc, help in determining if imaging is needed, modality of choice, and extent of coverage (orbits and/or head). Occasionally, clinical signs and symptoms may be nonspecific, and, in these cases, diagnostic imaging studies play a key role in depicting the nature and extent of the injury or disease. In this document, various clinical scenarios are discussed by which a child may present with an orbital or vision abnormality. Imaging studies that might be most appropriate (based on the best available evidence or expert consensus) in these clinical scenarios are also discussed. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2024.02.023

  View details for PubMedID 38823946

• High-grade glioma in infants and young children is histologically, molecularly, and clinically diverse-Results from the SJYC07 trial and institutional experience. Neuro-oncology Chiang, J., Bagchi, A., Li, X., Dhanda, S. K., Huang, J., Pinto, S. N., Sioson, E., Dalton, J., Tatevossian, R. G., Jia, S., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Bowers, D. C., Hassall, T., Lu, C., Zaldivar-Peraza, A., Wright, K. D., Broniscer, A., Qaddoumi, I., Upadhyaya, S. A., Vinitsky, A., Sabin, N. D., Orr, B. A., Klimo, P., Boop, F. A., Ashford, J. M., Conklin, H. M., Onar-Thomas, A., Zhou, X., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A., Robinson, G. W. 2023

  Abstract

  High-grade gliomas (HGG) in young children pose a challenge due to favorable but unpredictable outcomes. While retrospective studies broadened our understanding of tumor biology, prospective data is lacking.A cohort of children with histologically diagnosed HGG from the SJYC07 trial was augmented with non-protocol patients with HGG treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital from November 2007 to December 2020. DNA methylome profiling and whole genome, whole exome, and RNA sequencing were performed. These data were integrated with histopathology to yield an integrated diagnosis. Clinical characteristics and pre-operative imaging were analyzed.Fifty-six children (0.0-4.4 years) were identified. Integrated analysis split the cohort into four categories: infant-type hemispheric glioma (IHG), HGG, low-grade glioma (LGG), and other-central nervous system (CNS) tumors. IHG was the most prevalent (n=22), occurred in the youngest patients (median age=0.4 years), and commonly harbored receptor tyrosine kinase gene fusions (7 ALK, 2 ROS1, 3 NTRK1/2/3, 4 MET). The 5-year event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for IHG was 53.13% (95%CI:35.52 -79.47) and 90.91% (95%CI:79.66-100.00) vs. 0.0% and 16.67% (95%CI:2.78-99.74%) for HGG (p=0.0043, p=0.00013). EFS and OS were not different between IHG and LGG (p=0.95, p=0.43). Imaging review showed IHGs are associated with circumscribed margins (p=0.0047), hemispheric location (p=0.0010), and intratumoral hemorrhage (p=0.0149).HGG in young children is heterogeneous and best defined by integrating histopathological and molecular features. Patients with IHG have relatively good outcomes, yet they endure significant deficits, making them good candidates for therapy de-escalation and trials of molecular targeted therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noad130

  View details for PubMedID 37503880

• GABAERGIC NEURON-TO-GLIOMA SYNAPSES IN DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMAS Barron, T., Yalcin, B., Mochizuki, A., Cantor, E., Shamardani, K., Tlais, D., Franson, A., Lyons, S., Mehta, V., Jahan, S., Taylor, K., Keough, M., Xu, H., Su, M., Quezada, M., Woo, P., Fisher, P., Campen, C., Partap, S., Koschmann, C., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2023

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noad073.044

  View details for Web of Science ID 001023504300045

• HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA IN YOUNG CHILDREN IS HISTOLOGICALLY, MOLECULARLY, AND CLINICALLY DIVERSERESULTS FROM THE SJYC07 TRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE Chiang, J., Bagchi, A., Li, X., Dhanda, S. K., Huang, J., Pinto, S. N., Sioson, E., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Bowers, D. C., Hassall, T. G., Lu, C., Zaldivar-Peraza, A., Wright, K. D., Sabin, N. D., Orr, B. A., Onar-Thomas, A., Zhou, X., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A., Robinson, G. W. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2023

  View details for Web of Science ID 001023504300153

• TUMOR INFLAMMATION-ASSOCIATED NEUROTOXICITY (TIAN): A TOXICITY SYNDROME IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS Mahdi, J., Dietrich, J., Straathof, K., Roddie, C., Scott, B., Davidson, T., Prolo, L., Batchelor, T., Campen, C., Davis, K., Gust, J., Lim, M., Majzner, R., Park, J., Partap, S., Ramakrishna, S., Richards, R., Schultz, L., Vitanza, N., Wang, L., Mackall, C., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2023

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noad073.192

  View details for Web of Science ID 001023504300193

• CHEK2 mutations in pediatric brain tumors. Neuro-oncology advances Tlais, D., Barros Guinle, M. I., Wheeler, J. R., Prolo, L. M., Vogel, H., Partap, S. 2023; 5 (1): vdad038

  View details for DOI 10.1093/noajnl/vdad038

  View details for PubMedID 37207118

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC10191190

• Tumor inflammation-associated neurotoxicity. Nature medicine Mahdi, J., Dietrich, J., Straathof, K., Roddie, C., Scott, B. J., Davidson, T. B., Prolo, L. M., Batchelor, T. T., Campen, C. J., Davis, K. L., Gust, J., Lim, M., Majzner, R. G., Park, J. R., Partap, S., Ramakrishna, S., Richards, R., Schultz, L., Vitanza, N. A., Wang, L. D., Mackall, C. L., Monje, M. 2023

  Abstract

  Cancer immunotherapies have unique toxicities. Establishment of grading scales and standardized grade-based treatment algorithms for toxicity syndromes can improve the safety of these treatments, as observed for cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) in patients with B cell malignancies treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy. We have observed a toxicity syndrome, distinct from CRS and ICANS, in patients treated with cell therapies for tumors in the central nervous system (CNS), which we term tumor inflammation-associated neurotoxicity (TIAN). Encompassing the concept of 'pseudoprogression,' but broader than inflammation-induced edema alone, TIAN is relevant not only to cellular therapies, but also to other immunotherapies for CNS tumors. To facilitate the safe administration of cell therapies for patients with CNS tumors, we define TIAN, propose a toxicity grading scale for TIAN syndrome and discuss the potential management of this entity, with the goal of standardizing both reporting and management.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41591-023-02276-w

  View details for PubMedID 37024595

  View details for PubMedCentralID 7238960

• Phase II study of everolimus for recurrent or progressive pediatric ependymoma. Neuro-oncology advances Bowers, D. C., Rajaram, V., Karajannis, M. A., Gardner, S. L., Su, J. M., Baxter, P., Partap, S., Klesse, L. J. 2023; 5 (1): vdad011

  Abstract

  Background: Preclinical studies have suggested that mTOR pathway signaling may be a potential therapeutic target for childhood ependymoma.Methods: A phase II clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02155920) of single-agent everolimus was performed to test the hypothesis that mTOR pathway inhibition would result in tumor responses for children with recurrent and/or progressive ependymomas.Results: Eleven subjects [sex: 4 females (36.4%); median age: 8 years (range: 2-15 years); race: 9 white; prior therapies: median 6 (range: 3-9)] were enrolled on the study. Ten primary tumors were located in the posterior fossa and one primary tumor was located in the spinal cord. Eight of 9 tumors were PF-A subtype epenydmomas. All subjects were treated with oral everolimus 4.5 mg/m2/day (each cycle = 28 days) that was titrated to achieve serum trough levels of 5-15 ng/ml. Overall, everolimus was well tolerated; except for a single event of grade 3 pneumonia, all adverse events were grade 1-2. No objective tumor responses were observed. Participating subjects experienced tumor progression and discontinued therapy after a median of 2 cycles of therapy (1 cycle = 2; 2 cycles = 6; 3, 4, and 8 cycles = 1 each).Conclusions: Everolimus does not appear to have activity for children with recurrent or progressive PF-A ependymoma.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/noajnl/vdad011

  View details for PubMedID 36950217

• The children's brain tumor network (CBTN) - Accelerating research in pediatric central nervous system tumors through collaboration and open science. Neoplasia (New York, N.Y.) Lilly, J. V., Rokita, J. L., Mason, J. L., Patton, T., Stefankiewiz, S., Higgins, D., Trooskin, G., Larouci, C. A., Arya, K., Appert, E., Heath, A. P., Zhu, Y., Brown, M. A., Zhang, B., Farrow, B. K., Robins, S., Morgan, A. M., Nguyen, T. Q., Frenkel, E., Lehmann, K., Drake, E., Sullivan, C., Plisiewicz, A., Coleman, N., Patterson, L., Koptyra, M., Helili, Z., Van Kuren, N., Young, N., Kim, M. C., Friedman, C., Lubneuski, A., Blackden, C., Williams, M., Baubet, V., Tauhid, L., Galanaugh, J., Boucher, K., Ijaz, H., Cole, K. A., Choudhari, N., Santi, M., Moulder, R. W., Waller, J., Rife, W., Diskin, S. J., Mateos, M., Parsons, D. W., Pollack, I. F., Goldman, S., Leary, S., Caporalini, C., Buccoliero, A. M., Scagnet, M., Haussler, D., Hanson, D., Firestein, R., Cain, J., Phillips, J. J., Gupta, N., Mueller, S., Grant, G., Monje-Deisseroth, M., Partap, S., Greenfield, J. P., Hashizume, R., Smith, A., Zhu, S., Johnston, J. M., Fangusaro, J. R., Miller, M., Wood, M. D., Gardner, S., Carter, C. L., Prolo, L. M., Pisapia, J., Pehlivan, K., Franson, A., Niazi, T., Rubin, J., Abdelbaki, M., Ziegler, D. S., Lindsay, H. B., Stucklin, A. G., Gerber, N., Vaske, O. M., Quinsey, C., Rood, B. R., Nazarian, J., Raabe, E., Jackson, E. M., Stapleton, S., Lober, R. M., Kram, D. E., Koschmann, C., Storm, P. B., Lulla, R. R., Prados, M., Resnick, A. C., Waanders, A. J. 2022; 35: 100846

  Abstract

  Pediatric brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death in children in the United States and contribute a disproportionate number of potential years of life lost compared to adult cancers. Moreover, survivors frequently suffer long-term side effects, including secondary cancers. The Children's Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) is a multi-institutional international clinical research consortium created to advance therapeutic development through the collection and rapid distribution of biospecimens and data via open-science research platforms for real-time access and use by the global research community. The CBTN's 32 member institutions utilize a shared regulatory governance architecture at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to accelerate and maximize the use of biospecimens and data. As of August 2022, CBTN has enrolled over 4700 subjects, over 1500 parents,and collected over 65,000 biospecimen aliquots for research. Additionally, over 80 preclinical models have been developed from collected tumors. Multi-omic data for over 1000 tumors and germline material are currently available with data generation for > 5000 samples underway. To our knowledge, CBTN provides the largest open-access pediatric brain tumor multi-omic dataset annotated with longitudinal clinical and outcome data, imaging, associated biospecimens, child-parent genomic pedigrees, and in vivo and in vitro preclinical models. Empowered by NIH-supported platforms such as the Kids First Data Resource and the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, the CBTN continues to expand the resources needed for scientists to accelerate translational impact for improved outcomes and quality of life for children with brain and spinal cord tumors.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100846

  View details for PubMedID 36335802

• Stereotactic radiosurgery for recurrent pediatric brain tumors: clinical outcomes and toxicity. Neurosurgical focus Wang, E., Gutkin, P. M., Oh, J., Pollom, E., Soltys, S. G., Grant, G. A., Prolo, L. M., Chang, S., Li, G., Fisher, P. G., Partap, S., Campen, C. J., Gibbs, I. C., Hiniker, S. M. 2022; 53 (5): E2

  Abstract

  Recurrence of brain tumors in children after the initial course of treatment remains a problem. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of reirradiation using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with recurrent pediatric primary brain tumors.This IRB-approved retrospective review included pediatric patients with recurrent primary brain tumors treated at Stanford University from 2000 to 2019 using frameless SRS. Time to local failure (LF) and distant intracranial failure (DIF) were measured from the date of SRS and analyzed using competing risk analysis. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method.In total, 37 patients aged 2-24 years (median age 11 years at recurrence) were treated for 48 intracranial tumors. Ependymoma (38%) and medulloblastoma (22%) were the most common tumor types. The median (range) single fraction equivalent dose of SRS was 16.4 (12-24) Gy. The median (range) follow-up time was 22.9 (1.5-190) months. The median OS of all patients was 36.8 months. Eight of 40 (20%) lesions with follow-up imaging locally recurred. The 2-year cumulative incidence of LF after reirradiation with SRS was 12.8% (95% CI 4.6%-25.4%). The 2-year cumulative incidence of DIF was 25.3% (95% CI 12.9%-39.8%). The median PFS was 18 months (95% CI 8.9-44). Five (10.4%) patients developed toxicities potentially attributed to SRS, including cognitive effects and necrosis.Reirradiation using SRS for recurrent pediatric brain tumors appears safe with good local control. Innovations that improve overall disease control should continue because survival outcomes after relapse remain poor.

  View details for DOI 10.3171/2022.8.FOCUS22361

  View details for PubMedID 36321285

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Ataxia-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Radhakrishnan, R., Shea, L. A., Pruthi, S., Silvera, V. M., Bosemani, T., Desai, N. K., Gilbert, D. L., Glenn, O. A., Guimaraes, C. V., Ho, M., Lam, H. F., Maheshwari, M., Mirsky, D. M., Nadel, H. R., Partap, S., Schooler, G. R., Udayasankar, U. K., Whitehead, M. T., Wright, J. N., Rigsby, C. K. 2022; 19 (11S): S240-S255

  Abstract

  Childhood ataxia may be due to multifactorial causes of impairment in the coordination of movement and balance. Acutely presenting ataxia in children may be due to infectious, inflammatory, toxic, ischemic, or traumatic etiology. Intermittent or episodic ataxia in children may be manifestations of migraine, benign positional vertigo, or intermittent metabolic disorders. Nonprogressive childhood ataxia suggests a congenital brain malformation or early prenatal or perinatal brain injury, and progressive childhood ataxia indicates inherited causes or acquired posterior fossa lesions that result in gradual cerebellar dysfunction. CT and MRI of the central nervous system are the usual modalities used in imaging children presenting with ataxia, based on the clinical presentation. This document provides initial imaging guidelines for a child presenting with acute ataxia with or without a history of recent trauma, recurrent ataxia with interval normal neurological examination, chronic progressive ataxia, and chronic nonprogressive ataxia. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances in which peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2022.09.010

  View details for PubMedID 36436955

• Molecular classification and outcome of children with rare CNS embryonal tumors: results from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital including the multi-center SJYC07 and SJMB03 clinical trials. Acta neuropathologica Liu, A. P., Dhanda, S. K., Lin, T., Sioson, E., Vasilyeva, A., Gudenas, B., Tatevossian, R. G., Jia, S., Neale, G., Bowers, D. C., Hassall, T., Partap, S., Crawford, J. R., Chintagumpala, M., Bouffet, E., McCowage, G., Broniscer, A., Qaddoumi, I., Armstrong, G., Wright, K. D., Upadhyaya, S. A., Vinitsky, A., Tinkle, C. L., Lucas, J., Chiang, J., Indelicato, D. J., Sanders, R., Klimo, P. J., Boop, F. A., Merchant, T. E., Ellison, D. W., Northcott, P. A., Orr, B. A., Zhou, X., Onar-Thomas, A., Gajjar, A., Robinson, G. W. 2022

  Abstract

  Methylation profiling has radically transformed our understanding of tumors previously called central nervous system primitive neuro-ectodermal tumors (CNS-PNET). While this marks a momentous step toward defining key differences, reclassification has thrown treatment into disarray. To shed light on response to therapy and guide clinical decision-making, we report outcomes and molecular features of children with CNS-PNETs from two multi-center risk-adapted studies (SJMB03 for patients≥3years; SJYC07 for patients<3years) complemented by a non-protocol institutional cohort. Seventy patients who had a histological diagnosis of CNS-PNET or CNS embryonal tumor from one of the new categories that has supplanted CNS-PNET were included. This cohort was molecularly characterized by DNA methylation profiling (n=70), whole-exome sequencing (n=53), RNA sequencing (n=20), and germline sequencing (n=28). Clinical characteristics were detailed, and treatment was divided into craniospinal irradiation (CSI)-containing (SJMB03 and SJMB03-like) and CSI-sparing therapy (SJYC07 and SJYC07-like). When the cohort was analyzed in its entirety, no differences were observed in the 5-year survival rates even when CSI-containing therapy was compared to CSI-sparing therapy. However, when analyzed by DNA methylation molecular grouping, significant survival differences were observed, and treatment particulars provided suggestions of therapeutic response. Patients with CNS neuroblastoma with FOXR2 activation (CNS-NB-FOXR2) had a 5-year event-free survival (EFS)/overall survival (OS) of 66.7%±19.2%/83.3%±15.2%, and CIC rearranged sarcoma (CNS-SARC-CIC) had a 5-year EFS/OS both of 57.1%±18.7% with most receiving regimens that contained radiation (focal or CSI) and multidrug chemotherapy. Patients with high-grade neuroepithelial tumor with BCOR alteration (HGNET-BCOR) had abysmal responses to upfront chemotherapy-only regimens (5-year EFS=0%), but survival extended with salvage radiation after progression [5-year OS=53.6%±20.1%]. Patients with embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) or high-grade glioma/glioblastoma multiforme (HGG/GBM) did not respond favorably to any modality (5-year EFS/OS=10.7±5.8%/17.9±7.2%, and 10%±9.0%/10%±9.0%, respectively). As an accompaniment, we have assembled this data onto an interactive website to allow users to probe and query the cases. By reporting on a carefully matched clinical and molecular cohort, we provide the needed insight for future clinical management.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s00401-022-02484-7

  View details for PubMedID 35982322

• Socio-behavioral dysfunction in disorders of hypothalamic-pituitary involvement: The potential role of disease-induced oxytocin and vasopressin signaling deficits. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews Clarke, L., Zyga, O., Pineo-Cavanaugh, P. L., Jeng, M., Fischbein, N. J., Partap, S., Katznelson, L., Parker, K. J. 2022: 104770

  Abstract

  Disorders involving hypothalamic and pituitary (HPIT) structures-including craniopharyngioma, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and intracranial germ cell tumors-can disrupt brain and endocrine function. An area of emerging clinical concern in patients with these disorders is the co-occurring socio-behavioral dysfunction that persists after standard hormone replacement therapy. Although the two neuropeptides most implicated in mammalian social functioning (oxytocin and arginine vasopressin) are of hypothalamic origin, little is known about how disease-induced damage to HPIT structures may disrupt neuropeptide signaling and, in turn, impact patients' socio-behavioral functioning. Here we provide a clinical primer on disorders of HPIT involvement and a review of neuropeptide signaling and socio-behavioral functioning in relevant animal models and patient populations. This collective evidence suggests that neuropeptide signaling disruptions contribute to socio-behavioral deficits experienced by patients with disorders of HPIT involvement. A better understanding of the biological underpinnings of patients' socio-behavioral symptoms is now needed to enable the development of the first targeted pharmacological strategies by which to manage patients' socio-behavioral dysfunction.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104770

  View details for PubMedID 35803395

• Major tumor regressions in H3K27M-mutated diffuse midline glioma (DMG) following sequential intravenous (IV) and intracerebroventricular (ICV) delivery of GD2-CAR T cells Majzner, R. G., Mahdi, J., Ramakrishna, S., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Yeom, K., Schultz, L., Barsan, V., Richards, R., Campen, C., Reschke, A., Toland, A., Baggott, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Jacobs, A., Yamabe-Kwong, K., Rasmussen, L., Nie, E., Green, S., Kunicki, M., Fujimoto, M., Ehlinger, Z., Reynolds, W., Prabhu, S., Warren, K. E., Cornell, T., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Grant, G., Vogel, H., Sahaf, B., Davis, K., Feldman, S., Monje, M., Mackall, C. L. AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. 2022

  View details for Web of Science ID 000892509500153

• Phase II study of alisertib as a single agent for treating recurrent or progressive atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. Neuro-oncology Upadhyaya, S. A., Campagne, O., Billups, C. A., Orr, B. A., Onar-Thomas, A., Tatevossian, R. G., Mostafavi, R., Myers, J. R., Vinitsky, A., Moreira, D. C., Lindsay, H. B., Kilburn, L., Baxter, P., Smith, A., Crawford, J. R., Partap, S., Bendel, A. E., Aguilera, D. G., Nichols, K. E., Rampersaud, E., Ellison, D. W., Klimo, P., Patay, Z., Robinson, G. W., Broniscer, A., Stewart, C. F., Wetmore, C., Gajjar, A. 2022

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Recurrent atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT) is, most often, a fatal pediatric malignancy with limited curative options.METHODS: We conducted a phase II study of Aurora kinase A inhibitor alisertib in patients aged <22 years with recurrent AT/RT. Patients received alisertib once daily (80mg/m 2 as enteric-coated tablets or 60mg/m 2 as liquid formulation) on Days 1-7 of a 21-day cycle until progressive disease (PD) occurred. Alisertib plasma concentrations were measured in cycle 1 on Days 1 (single dose) and 7 (steady state) and analyzed with noncompartmental pharmacokinetics. Trial efficacy end point was ≥10 participants with stable disease (SD) or better at 12 weeks.RESULTS: SD (n=8) and partial response (PR) (n=1) were observed among 30 evaluable patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 30.0% ± 7.9% at 6 months and 13.3% ± 5.6% at 1 year. One-year overall survival (OS) was 36.7% ± 8.4%. Two patients continued treatment for >12 months. PFS did not differ by AT/RT molecular groups. Neutropenia was the most common adverse effect (n=23/30, 77%). The 22 patients who received liquid formulation had a higher mean maximum concentration (Cmax) of 10.1 ± 3.0 M and faster time to Cmax (Tmax = 1.2 ± 0.7h) than those who received tablets (Cmax = 5.7 ± 2.4 M, Tmax = 3.4 ± 1.4h).CONCLUSIONS: Although the study did not meet pre-determined efficacy end point, single agent alisertib was well tolerated by children with recurrent AT/RT, and SD or PR was observed in approximately a third of the patients.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noac151

  View details for PubMedID 35652336

• MAJOR TUMOR REGRESSIONS IN H3K27M-MUTATED DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA (DMG) FOLLOWING SEQUENTIAL INTRAVENOUS (IV) AND INTRACEREBROVENTRICULAR (ICV) DELIVERY OF GD2-CAR T-CELLS Monje, M., Majzner, R., Mahdi, J., Ramakrishna, S., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Yeom, K., Schultz, L., Barsan, V., Richards, R., Campen, C., Reschke, A., Toland, A., Baggott, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Jacobs, A., Yamabe-Kwong, K., Rasmussen, L., Nie, E., Green, S., Kunicki, M., Fujimoto, M., Ehlinger, Z., Reynolds, W., Prabhu, S., Warren, K. E., Cornell, T., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Grant, G., Vogel, H., Sahaf, B., Davis, K., Feldman, S., Mackall, C. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2022: 20-21

  View details for Web of Science ID 000840122400074

• SIGNIFICANT TUMOR REGRESSION OF H3K27M-MUTATED DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA OF THE BRAINSTEM WITH PANOBINOSTAT: A CASE REPORT Partap, S., Abadilla, N., Farahzadi, T., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2022: 27

  View details for Web of Science ID 000840122400097

• A PHASE I TRIAL OF PANOBINOSTAT FOLLOWING RADIATION THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG) OR H3K27M-MUTATED THALAMIC DIFFUSE MIDLINE GLIOMA (DMG): REPORT FROM THE PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM (PBTC-047) Monje, M., Cooney, T., Glod, J., Huang, J., Baxter, P., Vinitsky, A., Kilburn, L., Robison, N. J., Peer, C. J., Figg, W. D., Fouladi, M., Fangusaro, J., Onar-Thomas, A., Dunkel, I. J., Warren, K. E. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2022: 19

  View details for Web of Science ID 000840122400069

• PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM (PBTC)-055: A PHASE I STUDY OF TRAMETINIB AND HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE (HCQ) FOR BRAF-FUSION OR NEUROFIBROMATOSIS TYPE-1 (NF1)-ASSOCIATED PEDIATRIC GLIOMAS Hoffman, L. M., Levy, J., Kilburn, L., Billups, C., Stokes, V., McCourt, E., Poussaint, T., Campagne, O., Partap, S., Dorris, K., Sait, S., Robinson, G., Baxter, P., Stewart, C. F., Fangusaro, J., Onar-Thomas, A., Dunkel, I. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2022: 35

  View details for Web of Science ID 000840122400131

• GD2-CAR T cell therapy for H3K27M-mutated diffuse midline gliomas. Nature Majzner, R. G., Ramakrishna, S., Yeom, K. W., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Schultz, L. M., Richards, R. M., Jiang, L., Barsan, V., Mancusi, R., Geraghty, A. C., Good, Z., Mochizuki, A. Y., Gillespie, S. M., Toland, A. M., Mahdi, J., Reschke, A., Nie, E., Chau, I. J., Rotiroti, M. C., Mount, C. W., Baggott, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Erickson, C., Green, S., Kunicki, M., Fujimoto, M., Ehlinger, Z., Reynolds, W., Kurra, S., Warren, K. E., Prabhu, S., Vogel, H., Rasmussen, L., Cornell, T. T., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Campen, C. J., Filbin, M. G., Grant, G., Sahaf, B., Davis, K. L., Feldman, S. A., Mackall, C. L., Monje, M. 2022

  Abstract

  Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and other H3K27M-mutated diffuse midline gliomas (DMG) are universally lethal paediatric central nervous system tumours1. We previously discovered that the disialoganglioside GD2 is highly expressed on H3K27M-mutant glioma cells and demonstrated promising preclinical efficacy of GD2-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells2, providing the rationale for a first-in-human Phase 1 clinical trial (NCT04196413). Because CAR T-cell-induced brainstem inflammation can result in obstructive hydrocephalus, increased intracranial pressure, and dangerous tissue shifts, neurocritical care precautions were incorporated. Here we present the clinical experience from the first four patients with H3K27M-mutant DIPG/DMG treated with GD2-CAR T cells (GD2-CART) at dose level 1 (1e6 GD2-CAR T cells/kg administered intravenously). Patients who exhibited clinical benefit were eligible for subsequent GD2-CAR T infusions administered intracerebroventricularly3. Toxicity was largely related to tumor location and reversible with intensive supportive care. On-target, off-tumor toxicity was not observed. Three of four patients exhibited clinical and radiographic improvement. Proinflammatory cytokines were increased in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Transcriptomic analyses of 65,598 single cells from CAR T cell products and CSF elucidate heterogeneity in response between subjects and administration routes. These early results underscore the promise of this approach for H3K27M+ DIPG/DMG therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-022-04489-4

  View details for PubMedID 35130560

• GD2 CAR T cells mediate clinical activity and manageable toxicity in children and young adults with DIPG and H3K27M-mutated diffuse midline gliomas. Majzner, R. G., Ramakrishna, S., Mochizuki, A., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Yeom, K., Schultz, L., Richards, R., Campen, C., Reschke, A., Mahdi, J., Toland, A., Baggott, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Landrum, K., Erickson, C., Rasmussen, L., Barsan, V., Tamaresis, J. S., Marcy, A., Kunicki, M., Fujimoto, M., Ehlinger, Z., Kurra, S., Cornell, T., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Grant, G., Vogel, H., Sahaf, B., Davis, K., Feldman, S., Mackall, C. L., Monje, M. AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. 2021

  View details for Web of Science ID 000680263501014

• SINGLE CELL RNA SEQUENCING FROM THE CSF OF SUBJECTS WITH H3K27M+DIPG/DMG TREATED WITH GD2 CAR T-CELLULAR THERAPY Mochizuki, A., Ramakrishna, S., Good, Z., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Yeom, K., Schultz, L., Richards, R., Campen, C., Reschke, A., Mahdi, J., Toland, A., Baggot, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Landrum, K., Erickson, C., Rasmussen, L., Barsan, V., Tamaresis, J., Marcy, A., Kunicki, M., Celones, M., Ehlinger, Z., Kurra, S., Cornell, T., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Grant, G., Vogel, H., Davis, K., Feldman, S., Sahaf, B., Majzner, R., Mackall, C., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2021: 39

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noab090.158

  View details for Web of Science ID 000671540600159

• GD2 CAR T-CELLS MEDIATE CLINICAL ACTIVITY AND MANAGEABLE TOXICITY IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH H3K27M-MUTATED DIPG AND SPINAL CORD DMG Majzner, R., Ramakrishna, S., Mochizuki, A., Patel, S., Chinnasamy, H., Yeom, K., Schultz, L., Richards, R., Campen, C., Reschke, A., Mahdi, J., Martin, A., Toland, S., Baggott, C., Mavroukakis, S., Egeler, E., Moon, J., Landrum, K., Erickson, C., Rasmussen, L., Barsan, V., Tamaresis, J., Marcy, A., Kunicki, M., Fujimoto, M., Ehlinger, Z., Kurra, S., Cornell, T., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Grant, G., Vogel, H., Sahaf, B., Davis, K., Feldman, S., Mackall, C., Monje, M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2021: 49-50

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noab090.200

  View details for Web of Science ID 000671540600201

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Seizures-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Trofimova, A., Milla, S. S., Ryan, M. E., Pruthi, S., Blount, J. P., Desai, N. K., Glenn, O. A., Islam, M. P., Kadom, N., Mirsky, D. M., Myseros, J. S., Partap, S., Radhakrishnan, R., Rose, E., Soares, B. P., Trout, A. T., Udayasankar, U. K., Whitehead, M. T., Karmazyn, B. 2021; 18 (5S): S199–S211

  Abstract

  In children, seizures represent an extremely heterogeneous group of medical conditions ranging from benign cases, such as a simple febrile seizure, to life-threatening situations, such as status epilepticus. Underlying causes of seizures also represent a wide range of pathologies from idiopathic cases, usually genetic, to a variety of acute and chronic intracranial or systemic abnormalities. This document discusses appropriate utilization of neuroimaging tests in a child with seizures. The clinical scenarios in this document take into consideration different circumstances at the time of a child's presentation including the patient's age, precipitating event (if any), and clinical and electroencephalogram findings and include neonatal seizures, simple and complex febrile seizures, post-traumatic seizures, focal seizures, primary generalized seizures in a neurologically normal child, and generalized seizures in neurologically abnormal child. This practical approach aims to guide clinicians in clinical decision-making and to help identify efficient and appropriate imaging workup. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2021.02.020

  View details for PubMedID 33958113

• Relevance of Molecular Groups in Children with Newly Diagnosed Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor: Results from Prospective St. Jude Multi-Institutional Trials. Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research Upadhyaya, S. A., Robinson, G., Onar-Thomas, A., Orr, B. A., Johann, P., Wu, G., Billups, C. A., Tatevossian, R. G., Dhanda, S. K., Srinivasan, A., Broniscer, A., Qaddoumi, I., Vinitsky, A., Armstrong, G. T., Bendel, A., Hassall, T. E., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Crawford, J. R., Chintagumpala, M. M., Bouffet, E., Gururangan, S., Mostafavi, R., Sanders, R. P., Klimo, P., Patay, Z., Indelicato, D. J., Nichols, K. E., Boop, F. A., Merchant, T. E., Kool, M., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A. 2021

  Abstract

  PURPOSE: Report relevance of molecular groups to clinico-pathologic features, germline SMARCB1/SMARCA4 alterations (GLA), and survival of children with atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) treated in two multi-institutional clinical trials.PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four participants with newly diagnosed ATRT were treated in two trials: infants (SJYC07: age<3 years; n=52) and children (SJMB03: age 3-21 years; n=22), using surgery, conventional chemotherapy (infants), or dose-dense chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue (children), and age- and risk-adapted radiation therapy [focal (infants) and craniospinal (CSI) (children)]. Molecular groups ATRT-MYC (MYC), ATRT-SHH (SHH), and ATRT-TYR (TYR) were determined from tumor DNA methylation profiles.RESULTS: Twenty-four participants (32%) were alive at time of analysis at a median follow-up of 8.4 years (range, 3.1-14.1 years). Methylation profiling classified 64 ATRTs as TYR (n=21), SHH (n=30), and MYC (n=13), SHH group being associated with metastatic disease. Among infants, TYR group had the best overall survival (OS) (P=0.02). However, outcomes did not differ by molecular groups among infants with non-metastatic (M0) disease. Children with M0 disease and <1.5 cm2 residual tumor had a 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) of 72.7{plus minus}12.7% and OS of 81.8{plus minus}11%. Infants with M0 disease had a 5-year PFS of 39.1{plus minus}11.5% and OS of 51.8{plus minus}12%. Those with metastases fared poorly [5-year OS 25{plus minus}12.5% (children) and 0% (infants)]. SMARCB1 GLAs were not associated with PFS.CONCLUSION: Among infants, those with ATRT-TYR had the best OS. ATRT-SHH was associated with metastases and consequently with inferior outcomes. Children with non-metastatic ATRT benefit from post-operative CSI and adjuvant chemotherapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-20-4731

  View details for PubMedID 33737307

• Clinical Outcomes and Patient-Matched Molecular Composition of Relapsed Medulloblastoma. Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Kumar, R. n., Smith, K. S., Deng, M. n., Terhune, C. n., Robinson, G. W., Orr, B. A., Liu, A. P., Lin, T. n., Billups, C. A., Chintagumpala, M. n., Bowers, D. C., Hassall, T. E., Hansford, J. R., Khuong-Quang, D. A., Crawford, J. R., Bendel, A. E., Gururangan, S. n., Schroeder, K. n., Bouffet, E. n., Bartels, U. n., Fisher, M. J., Cohn, R. n., Partap, S. n., Kellie, S. J., McCowage, G. n., Paulino, A. C., Rutkowski, S. n., Fleischhack, G. n., Dhall, G. n., Klesse, L. J., Leary, S. n., Nazarian, J. n., Kool, M. n., Wesseling, P. n., Ryzhova, M. n., Zheludkova, O. n., Golanov, A. V., McLendon, R. E., Packer, R. J., Dunham, C. n., Hukin, J. n., Fouladi, M. n., Faria, C. C., Pimentel, J. n., Walter, A. W., Jabado, N. n., Cho, Y. J., Perreault, S. n., Croul, S. E., Zapotocky, M. n., Hawkins, C. n., Tabori, U. n., Taylor, M. D., Pfister, S. M., Klimo, P. n., Boop, F. A., Ellison, D. W., Merchant, T. E., Onar-Thomas, A. n., Korshunov, A. n., Jones, D. T., Gajjar, A. n., Ramaswamy, V. n., Northcott, P. A. 2021: JCO2001359

  Abstract

  We sought to investigate clinical outcomes of relapsed medulloblastoma and to compare molecular features between patient-matched diagnostic and relapsed tumors.Children and infants enrolled on either SJMB03 (NCT00085202) or SJYC07 (NCT00602667) trials who experienced medulloblastoma relapse were analyzed for clinical outcomes, including anatomic and temporal patterns of relapse and postrelapse survival. A largely independent, paired molecular cohort was analyzed by DNA methylation array and next-generation sequencing.A total of 72 of 329 (22%) SJMB03 and 52 of 79 (66%) SJYC07 patients experienced relapse with significant representation of Group 3 and wingless tumors. Although most patients exhibited some distal disease (79%), 38% of patients with sonic hedgehog tumors experienced isolated local relapse. Time to relapse and postrelapse survival varied by molecular subgroup with longer latencies for patients with Group 4 tumors. Postrelapse radiation therapy among previously nonirradiated SJYC07 patients was associated with long-term survival. Reirradiation was only temporizing for SJMB03 patients. Among 127 patients with patient-matched tumor pairs, 9 (7%) experienced subsequent nonmedulloblastoma CNS malignancies. Subgroup (96%) and subtype (80%) stabilities were largely maintained among the remainder. Rare subgroup divergence was observed from Group 4 to Group 3 tumors, which is coincident with genetic alterations involving MYC, MYCN, and FBXW7. Subgroup-specific patterns of alteration were identified for driver genes and chromosome arms.Clinical behavior of relapsed medulloblastoma must be contextualized in terms of up-front therapies and molecular classifications. Group 4 tumors exhibit slower biological progression. Utility of radiation at relapse is dependent on patient age and prior treatments. Degree and patterns of molecular conservation at relapse vary by subgroup. Relapse tissue enables verification of molecular targets and identification of occult secondary malignancies.

  View details for DOI 10.1200/JCO.20.01359

  View details for PubMedID 33502920

• A Pilot Study of Low-Dose Craniospinal Irradiation in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Average-Risk Medulloblastoma. Frontiers in oncology Minturn, J. E., Mochizuki, A. Y., Partap, S., Belasco, J. B., Lange, B. J., Li, Y., Phillips, P. C., Gibbs, I. C., Fisher, P. G., Fisher, M. J., Janss, A. J. 2021; 11: 744739

  Abstract

  Purpose: Medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors in children. To date, the treatment of average-risk (non-metastatic, completely resected) medulloblastoma includes craniospinal radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. Modern treatment modalities and now risk stratification of subgroups have extended the survival of these patients, exposing the long-term morbidities associated with radiation therapy. Prior to advances in molecular subgrouping, we sought to reduce the late effects of radiation in patients with average-risk medulloblastoma.Methods: We performed a single-arm, multi-institution study, reducing the dose of craniospinal irradiation by 25% to 18 Gray (Gy) with the goal of maintaining the therapeutic efficacy as described in CCG 9892 with maintenance chemotherapy.Results: Twenty-eight (28) patients aged 3-30 years were enrolled across three institutions between April 2001 and December 2010. Median age at enrollment was 9 years with a median follow-up time of 11.7 years. The 3-year relapse-free (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 79% (95% confidence interval [CI] 58% to 90%) and 93% (95% CI 74% to 98%), respectively. The 5-year RFS and OS were 71% (95% CI 50% to 85%) and 86% (95% CI 66% to 94%), respectively. Toxicities were similar to those seen in other studies; there were no grade 5 toxicities.Conclusions: Given the known neurocognitive adverse effects associated with cranial radiation therapy, studies to evaluate the feasibility of dose reduction are needed. In this study, we demonstrate that select patients with average-risk medulloblastoma may benefit from a reduced craniospinal radiation dose of 18 Gy without impacting relapse-free or overall survival.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00031590.

  View details for DOI 10.3389/fonc.2021.744739

  View details for PubMedID 34540703

• A STUDY OF LOW-DOSE CRANIOSPINAL RADIATION THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED AVERAGE-RISK MEDULLOBLASTOMA Mochizuki, A., Janss, A., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Li, Y., Fisher, M., Minturn, J. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: 390–91

  View details for Web of Science ID 000606080100491

• CHILDREN'S BRAIN TUMOR NETWORK: ACCELERATING RESEARCH THROUGH COLLABORATION AND OPEN-SCIENCE Lilly, J., Mason, J., Appert, E., Heath, A., Zhu, Y., Zhang, B., Koptyra, M., Santi, M., Pollack, I., Goldman, S., Leary, S., Buccoliero, A., Scagnet, M., Haussler, D., Hanson, D., Zhang, J., Wan, W., Li, C., Firestein, R., Cain, J., Phillips, J., Gupta, N., Mueller, S., Grant, G., Monje-Deisseroth, M., Partap, S., Greenfield, J., Rood, B., Nazarian, J., Raabe, E., Jackson, E., Stapleton, S., Lober, R., Kram, D., Storm, P., Lulla, R., Prados, M., Resnick, A., Waanders, A. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: 416

  View details for Web of Science ID 000606080100600

• A PHASE II RE-TREATMENT STUDY OF SELUMETINIB FOR RECURRENT OR PROGRESSIVE PEDIATRIC LOW-GRADE GLIOMA (PLGG): A PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM (PBTC) STUDY Fangusaro, J., Onar-Thomas, A., Wu, S., Poussaint, T., Packer, R., Kilburn, L., Qaddoumi, I., Dhall, G., Pollack, I. F., Lenzen, A., Partap, S., Fouladi, M., Dunkel, I. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: 367

  View details for Web of Science ID 000606080100390

• GERMLINE ELONGATOR MUTATIONS IN SONIC HEDGEHOG MEDULLOBLASTOMA Robinson, G. W., Waszak, S. M., Gudenas, B. L., Smith, K. S., Forget, A., Kojic, M., Jesus, G., Hadley, J., Hamilton, K. V., Indersie, E., Buchhalter, I., Jager, N., Sharma, T., Rausch, T., Kool, M., Sturm, D., Jones, D. W., Tatevossian, R., Lombard, B., Loew, D., Bowers, D., Bendel, A., Partap, S., Chintagumpala, M., Crawford, J., Gottardo, N. G., Smith, A., Dufour, C., Rutkowski, S., Grotzer, M., Remke, M., Puget, S., Pajtler, K. W., Milde, T., Witt, O., Ryzhova, M., Korshunov, A., Orr, B. A., Ellison, D. W., Brugieres, L., Lichter, P., Nichols, K. E., Gajjar, A., Wainwright, B. J., Ayrault, O., Korbel, J. O., Northcott, P. A., Pfister, S. M. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: 392–93

  View details for Web of Science ID 000606080100498

• PHASE II STUDY OF EVEROLIMUS (AFINITOR (R)) FOR CHILDREN WITH RECURRENT OR PROGRESSIVE EPENDYMOMA Bowers, D., Karajannis, M., Gardner, S., Su, J., Baxter, P., Partap, S., Klesse, L. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2020: 54

  View details for Web of Science ID 000590061300219

• The effect of insurance status on overall survival among children and adolescents with cancer. International journal of epidemiology Wang, X., Ojha, R. P., Partap, S., Johnson, K. J. 2020

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: Differences in access, delivery and utilisation of health care may impact childhood and adolescent cancer survival. We evaluated whether insurance coverage impacts survival among US children and adolescents with cancer diagnoses, overall and by age group, and explored potential mechanisms.METHODS: Data from 58421 children (aged ≤14years) and adolescents (15-19years), diagnosed with cancer from 2004 to 2010, were obtained from the National Cancer Database. We examined associations between insurance status at initial diagnosis or treatment and diagnosis stage; any treatment received; and mortality using logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards (PH) regression, restricted mean survival time (RMST) and mediation analyses.RESULTS: Relative to privately insured individuals, the hazard of death (all-cause) was increased and survival months were decreased in those with Medicaid [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.27, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 to 1.33; and -1.73months, 95% CI: -2.07 to -1.38] and no insurance (HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.46; and -2.13months, 95% CI: -2.91 to -1.34). The HR for Medicaid vs. private insurance was larger (pinteraction <0.001) in adolescents (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.41 to 1.64) than children (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.23). Despite statistical evidence violation of the PH assumption, RMST results supported all interpretations. Earlier diagnosis for staged cancers in the Medicaid and uninsured populations accounted for an estimated 13% and 19% of the survival deficit, respectively, vs. the privately insured population. Any treatment received did not account for insurance-associated survival differences in children and adolescents with cancer.CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents without private insurance had a higher risk of death and shorter survival within 5 years following cancer diagnosis. Additional research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/ije/dyaa079

  View details for PubMedID 32572489

• Phase II study of alisertib as a single agent in recurrent or progressive atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors. Upadhyaya, S., Campagne, O., Robinson, G. W., Onar-Thomas, A., Orr, B., Billups, C. A., Tatevossian, R. G., Broniscer, A., Kilburn, L., Baxter, P., Smith, A. A., Crawford, J., Partap, S., Ellison, D. W., Stewart, C. F., Patay, Z., Gajjar, A. J. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2020

  View details for Web of Science ID 000560368300261

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Cerebrovascular Disease-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Robertson, R. L., Palasis, S., Rivkin, M. J., Pruthi, S., Bartel, T. B., Desai, N. K., Kadom, N., Kulkarni, A. V., Lam, H. F., Maheshwari, M., Milla, S. S., Mirsky, D. M., Myseros, J. S., Partap, S., Radhakrishnan, R., Soares, B. P., Trout, A. T., Udayasankar, U. K., Whitehead, M. T., Karmazyn, B. 2020; 17 (5S): S36–S54

  Abstract

  Stroke is an uncommon but an important and under-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Strokes may be due to either brain ischemia or intracranial hemorrhage. Common symptoms of pediatric acute stroke include headache, vomiting, focal weakness, numbness, visual disturbance, seizures, and altered consciousness. Most children presenting with an acute neurologic deficit do not have an acute stroke, but have symptoms due to stroke mimics which include complicated migraine, seizures with postictal paralysis, and Bell palsy. Because of frequency of stroke mimics, in children and the common lack of specificity in symptoms, the diagnosis of a true stroke may be delayed. There are a relatively large number of potential causes of stroke mimic and true stroke. Consequently, imaging plays a critical role in the assessment of children with possible stroke and especially in children who present with acute onset of stroke symptoms. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2020.01.036

  View details for PubMedID 32370977

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Head Trauma-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging, Ryan, M. E., Pruthi, S., Desai, N. K., Falcone, R. A., Glenn, O. A., Joseph, M. M., Maheshwari, M., Marin, J. R., Mazzola, C., Milla, S. S., Mirsky, D. M., Myseros, J. S., Niogi, S. N., Partap, S., Radhakrishnan, R., Robertson, R. L., Soares, B. P., Udayasankar, U. K., Whitehead, M. T., Wright, J. N., Karmazyn, B. 2020; 17 (5S): S125–S137

  Abstract

  Head trauma is a frequent indication for cranial imaging in children. The majority of accidental pediatric head trauma is minor and sustained without intracranial injury. Well-validated pediatric-specific clinical decision guidelines should be used to identify very low-risk children who can safely forgo imaging. In those who require acute imaging, CT is considered the first-line imaging modality for suspected intracranial injury because of the short duration of the examination and its high sensitivity for acute hemorrhage. MRI can accurately detect traumatic complications, but often necessitates sedation in children, owing to the examination length and motion sensitivity, which limits rapid assessment. There is a paucity of literature regarding vascular injuries in pediatric blunt head trauma and imaging is typically guided by clinical suspicion. Advanced imaging techniques have the potential to identify changes that are not seen by standard imaging, but data are currently insufficient to support routine clinical use. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2020.01.026

  View details for PubMedID 32370957

• Acute Hyperextension "Surfer's" Myelopathy in a Gymnast: Bending over Backwards for Diagnosis Levy, R., Guimaraes, C., Partap, S. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2020

  View details for Web of Science ID 000536058004287

• Germline Elongator mutations in Sonic Hedgehog medulloblastoma NATURE Waszak, S. M., Robinson, G. W., Gudenas, B. L., Smith, K. S., Forget, A., Kojic, M., Garcia-Lopez, J., Hadley, J., Hamilton, K. V., Indersie, E., Buchhalter, I., Kerssemakers, J., Jaeger, N., Sharma, T., Rausch, T., Kool, M., Sturm, D., Jones, D. W., Vasilyeva, A., Tatevossian, R. G., Neale, G., Lombard, B., Loew, D., Nakitandwe, J., Rusch, M., Bowers, D. C., Bendel, A., Partap, S., Chintagumpala, M., Crawford, J., Gottardo, N. G., Smith, A., Dufour, C., Rutkowski, S., Eggen, T., Wesenberg, F., Kjaerheim, K., Feychting, M., Lannering, B., Schuz, J., Johansen, C., Andersen, T. V., Roeoesli, M., Kuehni, C. E., Grotzer, M., Remke, M., Puget, S., Pajtler, K. W., Milde, T., Witt, O., Ryzhova, M., Korshunov, A., Orr, B. A., Ellison, D. W., Brugieres, L., Lichter, P., Nichols, K. E., Gajjar, A., Wainwright, B. J., Ayrault, O., Korbel, J. O., Northcott, P. A., Pfister, S. M. 2020

  View details for DOI 10.1038/s41586-020-2164-5

  View details for Web of Science ID 000522805400005

• Phase II study of peginterferon alpha-2b for patients with unresectable or recurrent craniopharyngiomas: a Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium report. Neuro-oncology Goldman, S. n., Pollack, I. F., Jakacki, R. I., Billups, C. A., Poussaint, T. Y., Adesina, A. M., Panigrahy, A. n., Parsons, D. W., Broniscer, A. n., Robinson, G. W., Robison, N. J., Partap, S. n., Kilburn, L. B., Onar-Thomas, A. n., Dunkel, I. J., Fouladi, M. n. 2020

  Abstract

  Craniopharyngiomas account for approximately 1.2-4% of all CNS tumors. They are typically treated with a combination of surgical resection and focal radiotherapy. Unfortunately, treatment can lead to permanent deleterious effects on behavior, learning, and endocrine function.The Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium performed a multicenter phase 2 study in children and young adults with unresectable or recurrent craniopharyngioma (PBTC-039). Between December 2013 and November 2017, 19 patients (median age at enrollment, 13.1 years, range 2-25 years) were enrolled in one of two strata: patients previously treated with surgery alone (stratum 1), or who received radiation (stratum 2).Eighteen eligible patients (8 male, 10 female) were treated with weekly subcutaneous pegylated interferon alpha-2b for up to 18 courses (108 weeks). Therapy was well-tolerated with no grade 4 or 5 toxicities. Two of the 7 eligible patients (28.6%) in stratum 1 had a partial response, but only one response was sustained for more than three months. None of the 11 stratum 2 patients had an objective radiographic response, although the median progression-free survival was 19.5 months.Pegylated interferon alpha-2b treatment, in lieu of or following radiotherapy, was well-tolerated in children and young adults with recurrent craniopharyngiomas. Although objective responses were limited, progression free survival results are encouraging warranting further studies.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noaa119

  View details for PubMedID 32393959

• Neuro-Oncology Training for the Child Neurology Resident. Journal of child neurology Malbari, F. n., Partap, S. n., Gust, J. n., Duke, E. n., Sato, A. n., Khakoo, Y. n., Ullrich, N. J. 2020: 883073820955101

  Abstract

  Neuro-oncology is a rapidly evolving subspecialty that involves the management of patients with primary or metastatic central and peripheral nervous system neoplasms, as well as any other disorders or complications affecting the nervous system that result either directly or indirectly from central nervous system or systemic malignancies and related treatment. Neurologists serve a critical role in the multidisciplinary management of these complex patients. As leaders of the Child Neurology Society Special Interest Group in NeuroOncology, we propose ways to provide sufficient exposure, minimize knowledge gaps, and optimize training experiences in neuro-oncology for child neurology residency programs.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/0883073820955101

  View details for PubMedID 32907446

• A Review of Chronic Leukoencephalopathy among Survivors of Childhood Cancer PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY Partap, S., Russo, S., Esfahani, B., Yeom, K., Mazewski, C., Embry, L., Wheeler, G., Ullrich, N. J., Bowers, D. C. 2019; 101: 2–10

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.03.006

  View details for Web of Science ID 000501411700002

• Molecular grouping and outcomes of young children with newly diagnosed ependymoma treated on the multi-institutional SJYC07 trial NEURO-ONCOLOGY Upadhyaya, S. A., Robinson, G. W., Onar-Thomas, A., Orr, B. A., Billups, C. A., Bowers, D. C., Bendel, A. E., Hassall, T., Crawford, J. R., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G., Tatevossian, R. G., Seah, T., Qaddoumi, I. A., Vinitsky, A., Armstrong, G. T., Sabin, N. D., Tinkle, C. L., Klimo, P., Indelicato, D. J., Boop, F. A., Merchant, T. E., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A. 2019; 21 (10): 1319–30

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/noz069

  View details for Web of Science ID 000493086800014

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria Sinusitis-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Expert Panel on Pediatric Imaging:, Tekes, A., Palasis, S., Durand, D. J., Pruthi, S., Booth, T. N., Desai, N. K., Jones, J. Y., Kadom, N., Lam, H. F., Milla, S. S., Mirsky, D. M., Partap, S., Robertson, R. L., Ryan, M. E., Saigal, G., Setzen, G., Soares, B. P., Trout, A. T., Whitehead, M. T., Karmazyn, B. 2018; 15 (11S): S403–S412

  Abstract

  Sinusitis is common in children that usually resolves spontaneously. Imaging is not part of the standard of care for initial diagnosis, however may be necessary in cases with persistent or chronic sinusitis to guide surgical intervention, or to rule out intracranial and vascular complications of sinusitis. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the leading imaging modalities. In this article, appropriateness in use of imaging modalities are discussed under common/clinically relevant scenarios. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for PubMedID 30392608

• Cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin and symptom severity in children with autism ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY Oztan, O., Garner, J. P., Partap, S., Sherr, E. H., Hardan, A. Y., Farmer, C., Thurm, A., Swedo, S. E., Parker, K. J. 2018; 84 (4): 611–15

  View details for DOI 10.1002/ana.25314

  View details for Web of Science ID 000447367000014

• A phase 1/2 dose-finding, safety, and activity study of cabazitaxel in pediatric patients with refractory solid tumors including tumors of the central nervous system PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER Manley, P. E., Trippett, T., Smith, A. A., Macy, M. E., Leary, S. S., Boklan, J., Cohen, K. J., Goldman, S., Kilburn, L. B., Dhall, G., Devin, J., Herzog, C. E., Partap, S., Fauchet, F., Badreddine, E., Bernard, J. P., Chi, S. N. 2018; 65 (9): e27217

  Abstract

  This phase 1/2 study (NCT01751308) evaluated cabazitaxel in pediatric patients. Phase 1 determined the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in patients with recurrent/refractory solid tumors, including central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Phase 2 evaluated activity in pediatric recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG) or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).In phase 1, a 3 + 3 dose-escalation study design was followed. Cabazitaxel was administered at a starting dose of 20 mg/m2 . Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) during cycle 1 were assessed to determine the MTD. Tumor response and cabazitaxel pharmacokinetics were also assessed. In phase 2, patients received cabazitaxel at the MTD determined in phase 1. Tumor responses were assessed every 9 weeks (modified Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology criteria). Progression-free survival and cabazitaxel pharmacokinetics were evaluated, and overall survival was estimated.In phase 1, 23 patients were treated, including 19 with CNS tumors. One patient had a partial response; five had stable disease for >3 cycles. Common adverse events included fatigue, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, febrile neutropenia, and hypersensitivity reactions. Two of three DLTs (febrile neutropenia) occurred with a dose of 35 mg/m2 ; the MTD was 30 mg/m2 . Slightly higher cabazitaxel clearance was observed compared with adult trials. In phase 2, 16 patients (eight HGG and eight DIPG) were enrolled; 11 were evaluable for response and five withdrew (three due to anaphylaxis). All 11 patients progressed within four cycles. No responses were observed; the study was stopped due to futility.The safety profile of cabazitaxel was consistent with previous studies. The MTD (30 mg/m2 ) was higher than the adult MTD. Cabazitaxel did not demonstrate activity in recurrent/refractory HGG or DIPG.

  View details for PubMedID 29750396

• Cerebrospinal fluid vasopressin and symptom severity in children with autism. Annals of neurology Oztan, O., Garner, J. P., Partap, S., Sherr, E. H., Hardan, A. Y., Farmer, C., Thurm, A., Swedo, S. E., Parker, K. J. 2018

  Abstract

  Autism is a brain disorder characterized by social impairments. Progress in understanding autism has been hindered by difficulty in obtaining brain-relevant tissues [e.g., cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)] by which to identify markers of disease and targets for treatment. Here we overcome this barrier by providing evidence that mean CSF concentration of the "social" neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) is lower in children with autism versus controls. CSF AVP concentration also significantly differentiates individual cases from controls and is associated with greater social symptom severity in children with autism. These findings indicate that AVP may be a promising CSF marker of autism's social deficits. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  View details for PubMedID 30152888

• Risk-adapted therapy for young children with medulloblastoma (SJYC07): therapeutic and molecular outcomes from a multicentre, phase 2 trial LANCET ONCOLOGY Robinson, G. W., Rudneva, V. A., Buchhalter, I., Billups, C. A., Waszak, S. M., Smith, K. S., Bowers, D. C., Bendel, A., Fisher, P. G., Partap, S., Crawford, J. R., Hassall, T., Indelicato, D. J., Boop, F., Klimo, P., Sabin, N. D., Patay, Z., Merchant, T. E., Stewart, C. F., Orr, B. A., Korbel, J. O., Jones, D. W., Sharma, T., Lichter, P., Kool, M., Korshunov, A., Pfister, S. M., Gilbertson, R. J., Sanders, R. P., Onar-Thomas, A., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A., Northcott, P. A. 2018; 19 (6): 768–84

  Abstract

  Young children with medulloblastoma have a poor overall survival compared with older children, due to use of radiation-sparing therapy in young children. Radiotherapy is omitted or reduced in these young patients to spare them from debilitating long-term side-effects. We aimed to estimate event-free survival and define the molecular characteristics associated with progression-free survival in young patients with medulloblastoma using a risk-stratified treatment strategy designed to defer, reduce, or delay radiation exposure.In this multicentre, phase 2 trial, we enrolled children younger than 3 years with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma at six centres in the USA and Australia. Children aged 3-5 years with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic medulloblastoma without any high-risk features were also eligible. Eligible patients were required to start therapy within 31 days from definitive surgery, had a Lansky performance score of at least 30, and did not receive previous radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Patients were stratified postoperatively by clinical and histological criteria into low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk treatment groups. All patients received identical induction chemotherapy (methotrexate, vincristine, cisplatin, and cyclophosphamide), with high-risk patients also receiving an additional five doses of vinblastine. Induction was followed by risk-adapted consolidation therapy: low-risk patients received cyclophosphamide (1500 mg/m2 on day 1), etoposide (100 mg/m2 on days 1 and 2), and carboplatin (area under the curve 5 mg/mL per min on day 2) for two 4-week cycles; intermediate-risk patients received focal radiation therapy (54 Gy with a clinical target volume of 5 mm over 6 weeks) to the tumour bed; and high-risk patients received chemotherapy with targeted intravenous topotecan (area under the curve 120-160 ng-h/mL intravenously on days 1-5) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1-5). After consolidation, all patients received maintenance chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, topotecan, and erlotinib. The coprimary endpoints were event-free survival and patterns of methylation profiling associated with progression-free survival. Outcome and safety analyses were per protocol (all patients who received at least one dose of induction chemotherapy); biological analyses included all patients with tissue available for methylation profiling. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00602667, and was closed to accrual on April 19, 2017.Between Nov 27, 2007, and April 19, 2017, we enrolled 81 patients with histologically confirmed medulloblastoma. Accrual to the low-risk group was suspended after an interim analysis on Dec 2, 2015, when the 1-year event-free survival was estimated to be below the stopping rule boundary. After a median follow-up of 5·5 years (IQR 2·7-7·3), 5-year event-free survival was 31·3% (95% CI 19·3-43·3) for the whole cohort, 55·3% (95% CI 33·3-77·3) in the low-risk cohort (n=23) versus 24·6% (3·6-45·6) in the intermediate-risk cohort (n=32; hazard ratio 2·50, 95% CI 1·19-5·27; p=0·016) and 16·7% (3·4-30·0) in the high-risk cohort (n=26; 3·55, 1·66-7·59; p=0·0011; overall p=0·0021). 5-year progression-free survival by methylation subgroup was 51·1% (95% CI 34·6-67·6) in the sonic hedgehog (SHH) subgroup (n=42), 8·3% (95% CI 0·0-24·0%) in the group 3 subgroup (n=24), and 13·3% (95% CI 0·0-37·6%) in the group 4 subgroup (n=10). Within the SHH subgroup, two distinct methylation subtypes were identified and named iSHH-I and iSHH-II. 5-year progression-free survival was 27·8% (95% CI 9·0-46·6; n=21) for iSHH-I and 75·4% (55·0-95·8; n=21) for iSHH-II. The most common adverse events were grade 3-4 febrile neutropenia (48 patients [59%]), neutropenia (21 [26%]), infection with neutropenia (20 [25%]), leucopenia (15 [19%]), vomiting (15 [19%]), and anorexia (13 [16%]). No treatment-related deaths occurred.The risk-adapted approach did not improve event-free survival in young children with medulloblastoma. However, the methylation subgroup analyses showed that the SHH subgroup had improved progression-free survival compared with the group 3 subgroup. Moreover, within the SHH subgroup, the iSHH-II subtype had improved progression-free survival in the absence of radiation, intraventricular chemotherapy, or high-dose chemotherapy compared with the iSHH-I subtype. These findings support the development of a molecularly driven, risk-adapted, treatment approach in future trials in young children with medulloblastoma.American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, NCI Cancer Center, Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust, Sontag Foundation, and American Association for Cancer Research.

  View details for PubMedID 29778738

• THE MOLECULAR AND CLINICAL LANDSCAPE OF INFANT MEDULLOBLASTOMA (IMB): RESULTS AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS FROM A PROSPECTIVE, MULTICENTER PHASE II TRIAL (SJYC07) Robinson, G. W., Rudneva, V. A., Buchhalter, I., Billups, C. A., Waszak, S. M., Smith, K., Bowers, D. C., Bendel, A., Fisher, P., Partap, S., Crawford, J., Hassall, T., Indelicato, D. J., Boop, F., Klimo, P., Sabin, N. D., Patay, Z., Merchant, T. E., Stewart, C. F., Orr, B. A., Korbel, J. O., Jones, D. W., Sharma, T., Lichter, P., Kool, M., Korshunov, A., Pfister, S. M., Gilbertson, R. J., Sanders, R. P., Onar-Thomas, A., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A., Northcott, P. A. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2018: 126–27

  View details for Web of Science ID 000438339000442

• Outcomes for young children with molecularly defined ependymoma treated on the multi-institutional SJYC07 clinical trial. Upadhyaya, S., Robinson, G. W., Orr, B., Onar-Thomas, A., Billups, C. A., Armstrong, G. T., Sadighi, Z., Hassall, T., Bowers, D. C., Bendel, A., Crawford, J. R., Partap, S., Klimo, P., Harreld, J. H., Tinkle, C. L., Indelicato, D. J., Boop, F. A., Merchant, T. E., Ellison, D. W., Gajjar, A. J. AMER SOC CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 2018

  View details for DOI 10.1200/JCO.2018.36.15_suppl.10548

  View details for Web of Science ID 000442916003537

• Arginine vasopressin in cerebrospinal fluid is a marker of sociality in nonhuman primates SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE Parker, K. J., Garner, J. P., Oztan, O., Tarara, E. R., Li, J., Sclafani, V., Del Rosso, L. A., Chun, K., Berquist, S. W., Chez, M. G., Partap, S., Hardan, A. Y., Sherr, E. H., Capitanio, J. P. 2018; 10 (439)

  Abstract

  Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by core social impairments. ASD remains poorly understood because of the difficulty in studying disease biology directly in patients and the reliance on mouse models that lack clinically relevant, complex social cognition abilities. We use ethological observations in rhesus macaques to identify male monkeys with naturally occurring low sociality. These monkeys showed differences in specific neuropeptide and kinase signaling pathways compared to socially competent male monkeys. Using a discovery and replication design, we identified arginine vasopressin (AVP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a key marker of group differences in monkey sociality; we replicated these findings in an independent monkey cohort. We also confirmed in an additional monkey cohort that AVP concentration in CSF is a stable trait-like measure. Next, we showed in a small pediatric cohort that CSF AVP concentrations were lower in male children with ASD compared to age-matched male children without ASD (but with other medical conditions). We demonstrated that CSF AVP concentration was sufficient to accurately distinguish ASD cases from medical controls. These data suggest that AVP and its signaling pathway warrant consideration in future research studies investigating new targets for diagnostics and drug development in ASD.

  View details for PubMedID 29720452

• Pediatric neuro-oncology survival disparities in California JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Cooney, T., Fisher, P. G., Tao, L., Clarke, C. A., Partap, S. 2018; 138 (1): 83–97

  Abstract

  The objective of this study was to investigate racial/ethnic differences in survival for pediatric high-grade glioma (HGG) and medulloblastoma in the state of California. We obtained data from the California Cancer Registry on 552 high-grade glioma patients (110 brainstem, 442 non-brainstem) and 648 medulloblastoma patients ages 0-19 years from 1988 to 2012. Using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, we examined the impact of individual and neighborhood characteristics on survival. Socioeconomic quintile and insurance status differed significantly by race for both diagnoses. Hispanic children with non-brainstem HGG had worse survival than non-Hispanic white children: hazard ratio (HR) 1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-2.11, but the difference was mitigated some by accounting for socioeconomic status (HR 1.48, CI 1.10-1.99). Racial/ethnic differences in survival exist for children with high-grade glioma, particularly Hispanic children with non-brainstem high-grade glioma, and are likely related to sociologic factors.

  View details for PubMedID 29417400

• ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Headache-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology : JACR Hayes, L. L., Palasis, S. n., Bartel, T. B., Booth, T. N., Iyer, R. S., Jones, J. Y., Kadom, N. n., Milla, S. S., Myseros, J. S., Pakalnis, A. n., Partap, S. n., Robertson, R. L., Ryan, M. E., Saigal, G. n., Soares, B. P., Tekes, A. n., Karmazyn, B. K. 2018; 15 (5S): S78–S90

  Abstract

  Headaches in children are not uncommon and have various causes. Proper neuroimaging of these children is very specific to the headache type. Care must be taken to choose and perform the most appropriate initial imaging examination in order to maximize the ability to properly determine the cause with minimum risk to the child. This evidence-based report discusses the different headache types in children and provides appropriate guidelines for imaging these children. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for PubMedID 29724429

• Biomarker Discovery for Social Impairments: Translation From a Novel Monkey Model to Patients With Autism Parker, K., Garner, J., Oztan, O., Tarara, E., Li, J., Sclafani, V., Del Rosso, L., Chun, K., Berquist, S., Chez, M., Partap, S., Hardan, A., Sherr, E., Capitanio, J. NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. 2017: S501–S502

  View details for Web of Science ID 000416846303041

• Irreversible growth plate fusions in children with medulloblastoma treated with a targeted hedgehog pathway inhibitor ONCOTARGET Robinson, G. W., Kaste, S. C., Chemaitilly, W., Bowers, D. C., Laughton, S., Smith, A., Gottardo, N. G., Partap, S., Bendel, A., Wright, K. D., Orr, B. A., Warner, W. C., Onar-Thomas, A., Gajjar, A. 2017; 8 (41): 69295–302

  Abstract

  The permanent defects in bone growth observed in preclinical studies of hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibitors were not substantiated in early phase clinical studies of vismodegib in children. Consequently, vismodegib advanced into pediatric trials for malignancies suspected of being driven by aberrant activation of the Hh pathway. In one multicenter phase II trial, vismodegib was added to the therapy regimen for newly diagnosed Hh pathway activated medulloblastoma. Herein, we report on 3 children (2 on trial and one off trial) treated with vismodegib who developed widespread growth plate fusions that persist long after cessation of therapy. Currently, all 3 patients exhibit profound short stature and disproportionate growth, and 2 subsequently developed precocious puberty. Notably, the growth plate fusions only developed after a prolonged exposure to the drug (> 140 days). These findings resulted in a major trial amendment to restrict the agent to skeletally mature patients as well as a product label warning and update. Moreover, these findings alter the risk-benefit ratio of Hh inhibitors and underscore the importance of careful study of targeted agents in children.

  View details for PubMedID 29050204

• Pediatric cancer risk in association with birth defects: A systematic review PLOS ONE Johnson, K. J., Lee, J., Ahsan, K., Padda, H., Feng, Q., Partap, S., Fowler, S. A., Druley, T. E. 2017; 12 (7): e0181246

  Abstract

  Many epidemiological studies have examined associations between birth defects (BDs) and pediatric malignancy over the past several decades. Our objective was to conduct a systematic literature review of studies reporting on this association.We used librarian-designed searches of the PubMed Medline and Embase databases to identify primary research articles on pediatric neoplasms and BDs. English language articles from PubMed and Embase up to 10/12/2015, and in PubMed up to 5/12/2017 following an updated search, were eligible for inclusion if they reported primary epidemiological research results on associations between BDs and pediatric malignancies. Two reviewers coded each article based on the title and abstract to identify eligible articles that were abstracted using a structured form. Additional articles were identified through reference lists and other sources. Results were synthesized for pediatric cancers overall and for nine major pediatric cancer subtypes.A total of 14,778 article citations were identified, of which 80 met inclusion criteria. Pediatric cancer risk was increased in most studies in association with BDs overall with some notable specific findings, including increased risks for CNS tumors in association with CNS abnormalities and positive associations between rib anomalies and several pediatric cancer types.Some children born with BDs may be at increased risk for specific pediatric malignancy types. This work provides a foundation for future investigations that are needed to clarify specific BD types predisposing toward malignancy and possible underlying causes of both BDs and malignancy.

  View details for PubMedID 28749971

• AN ANALYSIS OF IMMUNOPHENOTYPE, INCLUDING PD-L1 AND PD1 EXPRESSION, IN PEDIATRIC CNS MALIGNANCIES: A PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR CONSORTIUM STUDY Hwang, E., Yang, C., Onar-Thomas, A., Fangusaro, J., Gururangan, S., Yearley, J., Blumenschein, W., McClanahan, T., Annamalai, L., Kocak, M., Partap, S., Hummel, T., Dunkel, I., Fouladi, M., Mitchell, D. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2017: 29

  View details for Web of Science ID 000402766800123

• Suspected Physical Abuse-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology Wootton-Gorges, S. L., Soares, B. P., Alazraki, A. L., Anupindi, S. A., Blount, J. P., Booth, T. N., Dempsey, M. E., Falcone, R. A., Hayes, L. L., Kulkarni, A. V., Partap, S., Rigsby, C. K., Ryan, M. E., Safdar, N. M., Trout, A. T., Widmann, R. F., Karmazyn, B. K., Palasis, S. 2017; 14 (5S): S338-S349

  Abstract

  The youngest children, particularly in the first year of life, are the most vulnerable to physical abuse. Skeletal survey is the universal screening examination in children 24 months of age and younger. Fractures occur in over half of abused children. Rib fractures may be the only abnormality in about 30%. A repeat limited skeletal survey after 2 weeks can detect additional fractures and can provide fracture dating information. The type and extent of additional imaging for pediatric patients being evaluated for suspected physical abuse depends on the age of the child, the presence of neurologic signs and symptoms, evidence of thoracic or abdominopelvic injuries, and social considerations. Unenhanced CT of the head is the initial study for suspected intracranial injury. Clinically occult abusive head trauma can occur, especially in young infants. Therefore, head CT should be performed in selected neurologically asymptomatic physical abuse patients. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen/pelvis is utilized for suspected intra-abdominal or pelvic injury. Particular attention should be paid to discrepancies between the patterns of injury and the reported clinical history. Making the diagnosis of child abuse also requires differentiation from anatomical and developmental variants and possible underlying metabolic and genetic conditions. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.036

  View details for PubMedID 28473090

• Back Pain-Child. Journal of the American College of Radiology Booth, T. N., Iyer, R. S., Falcone, R. A., Hayes, L. L., Jones, J. Y., Kadom, N., Kulkarni, A. V., Myseros, J. S., Partap, S., Reitman, C., Robertson, R. L., Ryan, M. E., Saigal, G., Soares, B. P., Tekes-Brady, A., Trout, A. T., Zumberge, N. A., Coley, B. D., Palasis, S. 2017; 14 (5S): S13-S24

  Abstract

  It is now generally accepted that nontraumatic back pain in the pediatric population is common. The presence of isolated back pain in a child has previously been an indication for imaging; however, recently a more conservative approach has been suggested using clinical criteria. The presence of constant pain, night pain, and radicular pain, alone or in combination, lasting for 4 weeks or more, constitute clinical red flags that should prompt further imaging. Without these clinical red flags, imaging is likely not indicated. Exceptions include an abnormal neurologic examination or clinical and laboratory findings suggesting an infectious or neoplastic etiology, and when present should prompt immediate imaging. Initial imaging should consist of spine radiographs limited to area of interest, with spine MRI without contrast to evaluate further if needed. CT of the spine, limited to area of interest, and Tc-99m bone scan whole body with single-photon emission computed tomography may be useful in some patients. The addition of intravenous contrast is also recommended for evaluation of a potential neoplastic or infectious process. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jacr.2017.01.039

  View details for PubMedID 28473069

• Pediatric Ependymoma JOURNAL OF CHILD NEUROLOGY Vitanza, N. A., Partap, S. 2016; 31 (12): 1354-1366

  Abstract

  Over the past 150 years since Virchow's initial characterization of ependymoma, incredible efforts have been made in the classification of these tumors and in the care of pediatric patients with this disease. While the advent of modern neurosurgery and the optimization of radiation have provided significant gains, a more complex but incomplete picture of pediatric ependymomas has begun to form through a combination of international collaborations and detailed genetic and histologic characterizations. This review includes and synthesizes the clinical understanding of pediatric ependymoma and their developing molecular insight into what is truly a family of malignancies in which distinct members require different surgical approaches, radiation plans, and targeted therapies.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/0883073815610428

  View details for Web of Science ID 000384470800002

  View details for PubMedID 26503805

• CHILDREN WITH MEDULLOBLASTOMA AND HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA: RACIAL/ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES IN SURVIVAL OUTCOME Cooney, T., Clarke, C., Fisher, P., Partap, S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2016: 40

  View details for Web of Science ID 000379749000153

• CHILDREN WITH MEDULLOBLASTOMA AND HIGH-GRADE GLIOMA: RACIAL/ETHNIC AND SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES IN SURVIVAL OUTCOME Cooney, T., Partap, S., Dur, T. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2016: S69

  View details for Web of Science ID 000374306900245

• Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma oxytocin concentrations are positively correlated and negatively predict anxiety in children MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY Carson, D. S., Berquist, S. W., Trujillo, T. H., Garner, J. P., Hannah, S. L., Hyde, S. A., Sumiyoshi, R. D., Jackson, L. P., MOSS, J. K., Strehlow, M. C., Cheshier, S. H., Partap, S., Hardan, A. Y., Parker, K. J. 2015; 20 (9): 1085-1090

  Abstract

  The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) exerts anxiolytic and prosocial effects in the central nervous system of rodents. A number of recent studies have attempted to translate these findings by investigating the relationships between peripheral (e.g., blood, urinary and salivary) OXT concentrations and behavioral functioning in humans. Although peripheral samples are easy to obtain in humans, whether peripheral OXT measures are functionally related to central OXT activity remains unclear. To investigate a possible relationship, we quantified OXT concentrations in concomitantly collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from child and adult patients undergoing clinically indicated lumbar punctures or other CSF-related procedures. Anxiety scores were obtained in a subset of child participants whose parents completed psychometric assessments. Findings from this study indicate that plasma OXT concentrations significantly and positively predict CSF OXT concentrations (r=0.56, P=0.0064, N=27). Moreover, both plasma (r=-0.92, P=0.0262, N=10) and CSF (r=-0.91, P=0.0335, N=10) OXT concentrations significantly and negatively predicted trait anxiety scores, consistent with the preclinical literature. Importantly, plasma OXT concentrations significantly and positively (r=0.96, P=0.0115, N=10) predicted CSF OXT concentrations in the subset of child participants who provided behavioral data. This study provides the first empirical support for the use of blood measures of OXT as a surrogate for central OXT activity, validated in the context of behavioral functioning. These preliminary findings also suggest that impaired OXT signaling may be a biomarker of anxiety in humans, and a potential target for therapeutic development in individuals with anxiety disorders.Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication, 4 November 2014; doi:10.1038/mp.2014.132.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/mp.2014.132

  View details for Web of Science ID 000360175500009

• Arginine Vasopressin Is a Blood-Based Biomarker of Social Functioning in Children with Autism PLOS ONE Carson, D. S., Garner, J. P., Hyde, S. A., Libove, R. A., Berquist, S. W., Hornbeak, K. B., Jackson, L. P., Sumiyoshi, R. D., Howerton, C. L., Hannah, S. L., Partap, S., Phillips, J. M., Hardan, A. Y., Parker, K. J. 2015; 10 (7)

  Abstract

  Brain arginine vasopressin (AVP) critically regulates normative social behavior in mammals, and experimental disruption of the AVP signaling pathway produces social impairments in rodent models. We therefore hypothesized that AVP signaling deficits may contribute to social impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Since blood measures (which are far easier to obtain than brain measures) of AVP are most meaningful if they are related to brain AVP activity, Study 1 tested the relationship between AVP concentrations in concomitantly collected blood and CSF samples from children and adults (N = 28) undergoing clinical procedures. Study 2 tested whether blood AVP concentrations: 1) differed between children with ASD (N = 57), their ASD discordant siblings (N = 47), and neurotypical controls (N = 55); and 2) predicted social functioning (using the NEPSY-II Theory of Mind and Affect Recognition tasks and the Social Responsiveness Scale) in this large, well-characterized child cohort. Blood AVP concentrations significantly and positively predicted CSF AVP concentrations (F1,26 = 7.17, r = 0.46, p = 0.0127) in Study 1. In Study 2, blood AVP concentrations did not differ between groups or by sex, but significantly and positively predicted Theory of Mind performance, specifically in children with ASD, but not in non-ASD children (F1,144 = 5.83, p = 0.017). Blood AVP concentrations can be used: 1) as a surrogate for brain AVP activity in humans; and 2) as a robust biomarker of theory of mind ability in children with ASD. These findings also suggest that AVP biology may be a promising therapeutic target by which to improve social cognition in individuals with ASD.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0132224

  View details for Web of Science ID 000358597100030

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4511760

• IMPACT OF MOLECULAR SUB-TYPE AND CRANIOSPINAL IRRADIATION (CSI) DOSE ON RELAPSE OF MEDULLOBLASTOMA Wang, A., Partap, S., Yeom, K., Martinez, M., Vogel, H., Donaldson, S., Fisher, P., Perreault, S., Cho, Y., Gibbs, I. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2015: 22

  View details for Web of Science ID 000361304800088

• Decreased tumor apparent diffusion coefficient correlates with objective response of pediatric low-grade glioma to bevacizumab JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Hsu, C. H., Lober, R. M., Li, M. D., Partap, S., Murphy, P. A., Barnes, P. D., Fisher, P. G., Yeom, K. W. 2015; 122 (3): 491-496

  Abstract

  Recent small, retrospective series suggest bevacizumab may be a therapeutic option for recurrent pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG). Assessment of therapeutic responses is complicated by the unpredictable natural history of these tumors. Because diffusion-weighted imaging quantifies microscopic water motion affected by cellular density and histologic features, we hypothesized that it may be helpful in monitoring therapeutic response of LGG to bevacizumab. We retrospectively reviewed eight consecutive patients, median age 4.8 (range 2.3-12.3) years at initiation of bevacizumab therapy for recurrent or refractory LGG. Patients received 10 mg/kg/dose every 2 weeks (median 16 doses/therapy course). Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured and analyzed in respect to tumor volume. Following the first treatment course, seven of eight patients had reduced tumor volume (≥25 %) and ADC. The median decrease in tumor volume was 47% (range -6 to 78 %) and the median decrease in ADC was 14 % (range -5 to 30 %). The ADC was significantly decreased during therapy, whereas the decrease in volume was seen only after therapy completion. There was a positive correlation between percent change in tumor volume and ADC (p < 0.05). We report a decrease in tumor ADC during initial bevacizumab therapy that is accompanied by a decrease in volume following therapy. Imaging changes in microscopic water motion associated with histology may be useful in monitoring the therapeutic response of LGG to bevacizumab.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-015-1754-9

  View details for Web of Science ID 000354717800008

  View details for PubMedID 25758812

• Clinical course and progression-free survival of adult intracranial and spinal ependymoma patients NEURO-ONCOLOGY Vera-Bolanos, E., Aldape, K., Yuan, Y., Wu, J., Wani, K., Necesito-Reyes, M. J., Colman, H., Dhall, G., Lieberman, F. S., Metellus, P., Mikkelsen, T., Omuro, A., Partap, S., Prados, M., Robins, H. I., Soffietti, R., Wu, J., Gilbert, M. R., Armstrong, T. S. 2015; 17 (3): 440-447

  Abstract

  Ependymomas are rare CNS tumors. Previous studies describing the clinical course of ependymoma patients were restricted to small sample sizes, often with patients at a specific institution.Clinically annotated ependymoma tissue samples from 19 institutions were centrally reviewed. Patients were all adults aged 18 years or older at the time of diagnosis. Potential prognostic clinical factors identified on univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model with backwards selection to model progression-free survival.The 282 adult ependymoma patients were equally male and female with a mean age of 43 years (range, 18-80y) at diagnosis. The majority were grade II (78%) with the tumor grade for 20 cases being reclassified on central review (half to higher grade). Tumor locations were spine (46%), infratentorial (35%), and supratentorial (19%). Tumor recurrence occurred in 26% (n = 74) of patients with a median time to progression of 14 years. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model identified supratentorial location (P < .01), grade III (anaplastic; P < .01), and subtotal resection, followed or not by radiation (P < .01), as significantly increasing risk of early progression.We report findings from an ongoing, multicenter collaboration from a collection of clinically annotated adult ependymoma tumor samples demonstrating distinct predictors of progression-free survival. This unique resource provides the opportunity to better define the clinical course of ependymoma for clinical and translational studies.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/neuonc/nou162

  View details for Web of Science ID 000352479700016

  View details for PubMedID 25121770

• Childhood Brain Tumor Epidemiology: A Brain Tumor Epidemiology Consortium Review CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION Johnson, K. J., Cullen, J., Barnholtz-Sloan, J. S., Ostrom, Q. T., Langer, C. E., Turner, M. C., McKean-Cowdin, R., Fisher, J. L., Lupo, P. J., Partap, S., Schwartzbaum, J. A., Scheurer, M. E. 2014; 23 (12): 2716-2736

  Abstract

  Childhood brain tumors are the most common pediatric solid tumor and include several histological subtypes. Although progress has been made in improving survival rates for some subtypes, understanding of risk factors for childhood brain tumors remains limited to a few genetic syndromes and ionizing radiation to the head and neck. In this report, we review descriptive and analytical epidemiology childhood brain tumor studies from the past decade and highlight priority areas for future epidemiology investigations and methodological work that is needed to advance our understanding of childhood brain tumor causes. Specifically, we summarize the results of a review of studies published since 2004 that have analyzed incidence and survival in different international regions and that have examined potential genetic, immune system, developmental and birth characteristics, and environmental risk factors.

  View details for DOI 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-0207

  View details for Web of Science ID 000345967300014

• Sports and childhood brain tumors: Can I play? Neuro-oncology practice Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Davis, C., Stave, C., Partap, S., Fisher, P. G. 2014; 1 (4): 158-165

  Abstract

  It is unknown whether children with brain tumors have a higher risk of complications while participating in sports. We sought to estimate the prevalence of such events by conducting a systematic review of the literature, and we surveyed providers involved with pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumor patients.A systematic review of the literature in the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was conducted for original articles addressing sport-related complications in the brain-tumor population. An online questionnaire was created to survey providers involved with pediatric CNS tumor patients about their current recommendations and experience regarding sports and brain tumors.We retrieved 32 subjects, including 19 pediatric cases from the literature. Most lesions associated with sport complications were arachnoid cysts (n = 21), followed by glioma (n = 5). The sports in which symptom onset most commonly occurred were soccer (n = 7), football (n = 5), and running (n = 5). We surveyed 111 pediatric neuro-oncology providers. Sport restriction varied greatly from none to 14 sports. Time to return to play in sports with contact also varied considerably between providers. Rationales for limiting sports activities were partly related to subspecialty. Responders reported 9 sport-related adverse events in patients with brain tumor.Sport-related complications are uncommon in children with brain tumors. Patients might not be at a significantly higher risk and should not need to be excluded from most sports activities.

  View details for PubMedID 26034627

• MRI surrogates for molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology Perreault, S., Ramaswamy, V., Achrol, A. S., Chao, K., Liu, T. T., Shih, D., Remke, M., Schubert, S., Bouffet, E., Fisher, P. G., Partap, S., Vogel, H., Taylor, M. D., Cho, Y. J., Yeom, K. W. 2014; 35 (7): 1263-1269

  Abstract

  Recently identified molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma have shown potential for improved risk stratification. We hypothesized that distinct MR imaging features can predict these subgroups.All patients with a diagnosis of medulloblastoma at one institution, with both pretherapy MR imaging and surgical tissue, served as the discovery cohort (n = 47). MR imaging features were assessed by 3 blinded neuroradiologists. NanoString-based assay of tumor tissues was conducted to classify the tumors into the 4 established molecular subgroups (wingless, sonic hedgehog, group 3, and group 4). A second pediatric medulloblastoma cohort (n = 52) from an independent institution was used for validation of the MR imaging features predictive of the molecular subtypes.Logistic regression analysis within the discovery cohort revealed tumor location (P < .001) and enhancement pattern (P = .001) to be significant predictors of medulloblastoma subgroups. Stereospecific computational analyses confirmed that group 3 and 4 tumors predominated within the midline fourth ventricle (100%, P = .007), wingless tumors were localized to the cerebellar peduncle/cerebellopontine angle cistern with a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 30%-100%), and sonic hedgehog tumors arose in the cerebellar hemispheres with a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 59%-100%). Midline group 4 tumors presented with minimal/no enhancement with a positive predictive value of 91% (95% CI, 59%-98%). When we used the MR imaging feature-based regression model, 66% of medulloblastomas were correctly predicted in the discovery cohort, and 65%, in the validation cohort.Tumor location and enhancement pattern were predictive of molecular subgroups of pediatric medulloblastoma and may potentially serve as a surrogate for genomic testing.

  View details for DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A3990

  View details for PubMedID 24831600

• UNRAVELING THE TALE OF MEDULLOBLASTOMA: IMPACT OF MOLECULAR SUB-TYPE AND CRANIOSPINAL IRRADIATION (CSI) DOSE ON RELAPSE Gibbs, I. C., Partap, S., Yeom, K., Martinez, M., Vogel, H., Donaldson, S. S., Fisher, P., Perreault, S., Cho, Y. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2014: 82–83

  View details for Web of Science ID 000337924200313

• Time-dependent structural changes of the dentatothalamic pathway in children treated for posterior fossa tumor. AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Cheshier, S., Partap, S., Edwards, M. S., Yeom, K. W. 2014; 35 (4): 803-807

  Abstract

  Injury to the dentatothalamic pathway that originates in the cerebellum has been suggested as a mechanism for neurologic complications in children treated for posterior fossa tumors. We hypothesized that time-dependent changes occur in the dentatothalamic pathway.Diffusion tensor evaluation was performed in 14 children (median age, 4.1 years; age range, 1-20 years) who underwent serial MR imaging at 3T as part of routine follow-up after posterior fossa tumor resection with or without adjuvant therapy. Tensor metrics were obtained in the acute (≤1 week), subacute (1 to <6 months), and chronic (≥6 months) periods after surgery. We evaluated the following dentatothalamic constituents: bilateral dentate nuclei, cerebellar white matter, and superior cerebellar peduncles. Serial dentate nuclei volumes were also obtained and compared with the patient's baseline.The most significant tensor changes to the superior cerebellar peduncles and cerebellar white matter occurred in the subacute period, regardless of the tumor pathology or therapy regimen, with signs of recovery in the chronic period. However, chronic volume loss and reduced mean diffusivity were observed in the dentate nuclei and did not reverse. This atrophy was associated with radiation therapy and symptoms of ataxia.Longitudinal diffusion MR imaging in children treated for posterior fossa tumors showed time-dependent tensor changes in components of the dentatothalamic pathway that suggest evolution of structural damage with inflammation and recovery of tissue directionality. However, the dentate nuclei did not show tensor or volumetric recovery, suggesting that the injury may be chronic.

  View details for DOI 10.3174/ajnr.A3735

  View details for PubMedID 24052507

• Surveillance imaging in children with malignant CNS tumors: low yield of spine MRI. Journal of neuro-oncology Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Carret, A., Zhang, G., Hershon, L., Décarie, J., Vogel, H., Yeom, K. W., Fisher, P. G., Partap, S. 2014; 116 (3): 617-623

  Abstract

  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is routinely obtained in patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors, but few studies have been conducted to evaluate this practice. We assessed the benefits of surveillance MRI and more specifically spine MRI in a contemporary cohort. We evaluated MRI results of children diagnosed with CNS tumors from January 2000 to December 2011. Children with at least one surveillance MRI following the diagnosis of medulloblastoma (MB), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT), pineoblastoma (PB), supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor, supratentorial high-grade glioma (World Health Organization grade III-IV), CNS germ cell tumors or ependymoma were included. A total of 2,707 brain and 1,280 spine MRI scans were obtained in 258 patients. 97 % of all relapses occurred in the brain and 3 % were isolated to the spine. Relapse was identified in 226 (8 %) brain and 48 (4 %) spine MRI scans. The overall rate of detecting isolated spinal relapse was 9/1,000 and 7/1,000 for MB patients. MRI performed for PB showed the highest rate for detecting isolated spinal recurrence with 49/1,000. No initial isolated spinal relapse was identified in patients with glioma, supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor and ATRT. Isolated spinal recurrences are infrequent in children with malignant CNS tumors and the yield of spine MRI is very low. Tailoring surveillance spine MRI to patients with higher spinal relapse risk such as PB, MB with metastatic disease and within 3 years of diagnosis could improve allocation of resources without compromising patient care.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-013-1347-4

  View details for PubMedID 24401959

• Relapse patterns in pediatric embryonal central nervous system tumors JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Carret, A., Zhang, G., Hershon, L., Decarie, J., Yeom, K., Vogel, H., Fisher, P. G., Partap, S. 2013; 115 (2): 209-215

  Abstract

  Embryonal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) share histological features and were therefore initially grouped as primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) and treated similarly. We sought to determine the relapse patterns of specific embryonal CNS tumors. We conducted a historical cohort study of children diagnosed with CNS embryonal tumors from January 2000 to December 2011 in two pediatric neuro-oncology centers. Patients of 21 years of age or younger at time of presentation with a diagnosis of medulloblastoma, supratentorial PNET, pineoblastoma or atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) and at least one surveillance MRI were included. A total of 133 patients met inclusion criteria and 49 (37 %) patients relapsed during the observation period. The majority (79 %) of sPNET relapses were local, whereas all (100 %) PB relapses were associated with diffuse leptomeningeal disease. Relapse patterns for MB were more diverse with local recurrence in 27 %, distant recurrence in 35 % and diffuse leptomeningeal disease in 38 %. The frequency of relapses involving the spine differed (p < 0.001) between tumor types (MB 28/55 [51 %], sPNET 3/33 [9 %], ATRT 3/7 [43 %] and PB 12/12 [100 %]). No sPNET patients had isolated spinal relapse (0/14). Embryonal tumors were found to have divergent patterns of recurrence. While medulloblastoma has variable relapse presentations, sPNET relapses locally and pineoblastoma recurs with diffuse leptomeningeal disease involving the spine. These results point toward possibly new upfront treatment stratification among embryonal tumors in accordance with relapse pattern.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-013-1213-4

  View details for PubMedID 23921420

• MEDULLOBLASTOMA IN THE OPERATIVE THEATER: ARE THEY PLAYING ACCORDING TO THEIR SUBTYPES? Perreault, S., Chao, K., Ramaswamy, V., Shih, D., Remke, M., Luu, B., Schubert, S., Fisher, P., Partap, S., Vogel, H., Taylor, M., Goumnerova, L., Cho, Y. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2013: 168

  View details for Web of Science ID 000327456200666

• Increased focal hemosiderin deposition in pediatric medulloblastoma patients receiving radiotherapy at a later age Clinical article JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY-PEDIATRICS Yeom, K. W., Lober, R. M., Partap, S., Telischak, N., Tsolinas, R., Barnes, P. D., Edwards, M. S. 2013; 12 (5): 444-451

  Abstract

  Object Focal hemosiderin deposition (FHD) is commonly observed on brain MRI scans of patients treated for childhood medulloblastoma (MB). The authors sought to determine the clinical significance of FHD and its relationship to patient age, radiation dose, and cognitive outcomes. Methods A single-institution retrospective study of 93 MB patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford from 1998 to 2011 identified 41 patients with a negative baseline MRI scan and at least 2 posttreatment MRI scans obtained with T2* gradient recalled echo (GRE). The number and cumulative rate of FHDs detectable by GRE were compared between patients aged 6 years and younger (early age) and aged 7-21 years (late age) at the time of radiotherapy (RT) and between low-dose (1800-2340 cGy) and high-dose (2920-3960 cGy) RT. Results The median age at MB diagnosis was 7.3 years (range 0.9-21.0 years), the median clinical follow-up period was 5.8 years (range 0.8-13.4 years), and the median 5-year overall survival was 81% ± 7%. Of 30 school-aged children with MB, 21 (70%) required special education, and the median IQ of 10 tested patients was 100 (range 50-118). Thirty-three patients (80%) had FHD after a median latency of 1.9 years (range 0.1-5.9 years). Ninety-four percent (436 of 466) of the lesions arose in the supratentorial region of the brain, whereas 29 (6%) resided in the brainstem or the cerebellum. No spinal lesions were observed on routine spine MRI scans using T2 fast spin echo imaging. The mean cumulative lesion rate per year was 2.23 ± 3.05, and this rate was higher in older children at the time of RT compared with younger children (3.23 vs 0.67 per year, p = 0.002) but did not differ among different RT doses (p = 0.395). A child's IQ or need for special education showed no significant correlation with the rate of lesion development or number of lesions. None of the lesions resulted in symptomatic hemorrhage that required surgical intervention. Conclusions More FHD was observed in children treated for MB at the older ages than in those treated at the younger ages. There was no significant association of the incidence of FHD with radiation dose or cognitive outcomes, and none of the lesions required surgical intervention.

  View details for DOI 10.3171/2013.7.PEDS1330

  View details for Web of Science ID 000325956400005

• Histological Predictors of Outcome in Ependymoma are Dependent on Anatomic Site Within the Central Nervous System BRAIN PATHOLOGY Raghunathan, A., Wani, K., Armstrong, T. S., Vera-Bolanos, E., Fouladi, M., Gilbertson, R., Gajjar, A., Goldman, S., Lehman, N. L., Metellus, P., Mikkelsen, T., Necesito-Reyes, M. J., Omuro, A., Packer, R. J., Partap, S., Pollack, I. F., Prados, M. D., Robins, H. I., Soffietti, R., Wu, J., Miller, C. R., Gilbert, M. R., Aldape, K. D. 2013; 23 (5): 584-594

  Abstract

  Ependymomas originate in posterior fossa (PF), supratentorial (ST) or spinal cord (SC) compartments. At present, grading schemes are applied independent of anatomic site. We performed detailed histological examination on 238 World Health Organization grade II and III ependymomas. Among PF ependymomas, the presence of hypercellular areas, necrosis, microvascular proliferation and elevated mitotic rate (all P < 0.01) were significantly associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS), while extensive ependymal canal formation was not (P = 0.89). Similar to the PF tumors, microvascular proliferation (P = 0.01) and elevated mitotic rate (P = 0.03) were significantly associated with worse PFS in the ST tumors. However, in contrast to PF tumors, extensive ependymal canals (P = 0.03) were associated with worse clinical outcome in ST ependymomas, but hypercellularity (P = 0.57) and necrosis (P = 0.47) were not. On multivariate Cox regression, after adjusting for relevant clinical variables, individual histological factors and a composite histological score remained significant among ST and PF ependymoma. In contrast to both PF and ST ependymoma, histological features were not found to be associated with PFS in SC tumors. Taken together, the clinical relevance of specific histological features in ependymoma appears to be related to the anatomic site of origin and suggests that site-specific grading criteria be considered in future classification systems.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/bpa.12050

  View details for Web of Science ID 000329280700009

  View details for PubMedID 23452038

• Prognostic role for diffusion-weighted imaging of pediatric optic pathway glioma. Journal of neuro-oncology Yeom, K. W., Lober, R. M., Andre, J. B., Fisher, P. G., Barnes, P. D., Edwards, M. S., Partap, S. 2013; 113 (3): 479-483

  Abstract

  Optic pathway glioma (OPG) has an unpredictable course, with poor correlation between conventional imaging features and tumor progression. We investigated whether diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) predicts the clinical behavior of these tumors. Twelve children with OPG (median age 2.7 years; range 0.4-6.2 years) were followed for a median 4.4 years with DWI. Progression-free survival (time to requiring therapy) was compared between tumors stratified by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from initial pre-treatment scans. Tumors with baseline ADC greater than 1,400 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s required treatment earlier than those with lower ADC (log-rank p = 0.002). In some cases, ADC increased leading up to treatment, and declined following treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Baseline ADC was higher in tumors that eventually required treatment (1,562 ± 192 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s), compared with those conservatively managed (1,123 ± 114 × 10(-6) mm(2)/s) (Kruskal-Wallis test p = 0.013). Higher ADC predicted earlier tumor progression in this cohort and in some cases declined after therapy. Evaluation of OPG with DWI may therefore be useful for predicting tumor behavior and assessing treatment response.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-013-1140-4

  View details for PubMedID 23673514

• Distinctive MRI Features of Pediatric Medulloblastoma Subtypes AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ROENTGENOLOGY Yeom, K. W., Mobley, B. C., Lober, R. M., Andre, J. B., Partap, S., Vogel, H., Barnes, P. D. 2013; 200 (4): 895-903

  Abstract

  We hypothesized that the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and other MRI features can be used to predict medulloblastoma histologic subtypes, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System.A retrospective review of pediatric patients with medulloblastoma between 1989 and 2011 identified 38 patients with both pretreatment MRI and original pathology slides. The mean and minimum tumor ADC values and conventional MRI features were compared among medulloblastoma histologic subtypes.The cohort of 38 patients included the following histologic subtypes: 24 classic medulloblastomas, nine large cell (LC) or anaplastic medulloblastomas, four desmoplastic medulloblastomas, and one medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity. The median age at diagnosis was 8 years (range, 1-21 years) and the median follow-up time was 33 months (range, 0-150 months). The mean ADC (× 10(-3) mm(2)/s) was lower in classic medulloblastoma (0.733 ± 0.046 [SD]) than in LC or anaplastic medulloblastoma (0.935 ± 0.127) (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.004). Similarly, the minimum ADC was lower in classic medulloblastoma (average ± SD, 0.464 ± 0.056) than in LC or anaplastic medulloblastoma (0.630 ± 0.053) (p = 0.004). The MRI finding of focal cysts correlated with the classic and desmoplastic subtypes (Fisher exact test, p = 0.026). Leptomeningeal enhancement positively correlated with the LC or anaplastic medulloblastoma subtype and inversely correlated with the classic medulloblastoma and desmoplastic medulloblastoma subtypes (p = 0.04). Ring enhancement correlated with tumor necrosis (p = 0.022) and with the LC or anaplastic medulloblastoma histologic subtype (p < 0.001).The LC or anaplastic medulloblastoma subtype was associated with increased ADC and with ring enhancement, the latter of which correlated with tumor necrosis. These features could be considered in the evaluation of high-risk medulloblastoma subtypes.

  View details for DOI 10.2214/AJR.12.9249

  View details for PubMedID 23521467

• Concurrent cyclophosphamide and craniospinal radiotherapy for pediatric high-risk embryonal brain tumors JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Campen, C. J., Dearlove, J., Partap, S., Murphy, P., Gibbs, I. C., Dahl, G. V., Fisher, P. G. 2012; 110 (2): 287-291

  Abstract

  Embryonal tumors are an aggressive subtype of high-grade, pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors often with dismal survival rates. The 5-year survival for highest-risk embryonal tumors may be as low as 10 %. We report feasibility and efficacy from our experience using intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide concurrently with craniospinal radiation (CSI) in high-risk embryonal CNS tumors of childhood. Ten consecutive children (aged: 3.5-15.5 years, median: 10.2 years, six male) with high-risk embryonal tumors, including: large cell/anaplastic medulloblastoma (6), atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (1), and leptomeningeal primitive neuroectodermal tumor (3), were treated with IV cyclophosphamide 1 g/M(2) on days 1 and 2 of CSI. Following a median of 36 Gy CSI plus tumor boosts, adjuvant treatment consisted of 21 doses of oral etoposide (7) and alkylator based chemotherapy from five to eight cycles in all. Of the ten patients thus treated, six remain alive with no evidence of disease and four are deceased. Median survival was 3.3 years, with a 3-year progression-free survival of 50 % (5/10). Median follow-up was: 3.3 years (range: 5 months-12.9 years) in the five patients with progression, median time-to-progression was: 1.3 years (range: 1 month-3 years). Median follow-up in the patients without progression is 8.8 years (range: 3-12.9 years). Complications due to adjuvant chemotherapy were typical and included myelosupression (10), necessitating shortened duration of chemotherapy in three, and hemorrhagic cystitis (1). In high-risk embryonal CNS tumors, cyclophosphamide given concurrently with CSI is well tolerated. Early results suggest that a phase II trial is warranted.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-012-0969-2

  View details for Web of Science ID 000311208100017

  View details for PubMedID 22941430

• HISTOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF OUTCOME IN EPENDYMOMA ARE DEPENDENT ON TUMOR LOCATION IN THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM 17th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society-for-Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Raghunathan, A., Wani, K., Armstrong, T. S., Vera-Bolanos, E., Fouladi, M., Gajjar, A., Goldman, S., Lehman, N. L., Metellus, P., Mikkelsen, T., Necesito-Reyes, M. J., Omuro, A., Packer, R. J., Partap, S., Pollack, I. F., Prados, M. D., Robbins, H. I., Soffietti, R., Wu, J., Gilbert, M. R., Aldape, K. D. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 107–108

  View details for Web of Science ID 000310971300427

• SHOULD WE EXPECT SYMPTOMS AT RELAPSE? Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Partap, S., Carret, A., Fisher, F. G. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 127

  View details for Web of Science ID 000310971300505

• DIFFERENT RELAPSE PATTERNS IN EMBRYONAL CNS TUMORS Perreault, S., Lober, R. M., Zhang, G., Hershon, L., Decarie, J., Yeom, K., Vogel, H., Partap, S., Carret, A., Fisher, P. G. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 123

  View details for Web of Science ID 000310971300486

• CLINICAL COURSE AND PROGRESSION-FREE SURVIVAL OF ADULT AND PEDIATRIC EPENDYMOMA: A WORKING MODEL 17th Annual Scientific Meeting and Education Day of the Society-for-Neuro-Oncology (SNO) Vera-Bolanos, E., Gilbert, M. R., Aldape, K., Necesito-Reyes, M. J., Fouladi, M., Gajjar, A., Goldman, S., Metellus, P., Mikkelsen, T., Omuro, A., Packer, R., Partap, S., Pollack, I. F., Prados, M., Robins, H. I., Soffietti, R., Wu, J., Armstrong, T. S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 77–77

  View details for Web of Science ID 000310971300311

• INJURY TO DENTATE NUCLEI AND EFFERENT FIBERS BY PEDIATRIC POSTERIOR FOSSA TUMORS Lober, R., Perrault, S., Partap, S., Edwards, M., Fisher, P., Yeom, K. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 132–33

  View details for Web of Science ID 000308394400499

• Aggressive Cerebellar Neuroepithelial Tumor in a 10 Year Old Boy Vogel, H., Edwards, M., Fisher, P., Partap, S., Cho, Y. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2012: 572

  View details for Web of Science ID 000304589600100

• SURVEILLANCE SPINE MRIS TO DETECT TUMOR RELAPSE IN PATIENTS WITH MEDULLOBLASTOMA Perreault, S., Lober, R., Yeom, K., Carret, A., Vogel, H., Partap, S., Fisher, P. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2012: 143

  View details for Web of Science ID 000308394400542

• Stroke and Cerebrovascular Complications in Childhood Cancer Survivors SEMINARS IN PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY Partap, S. 2012; 19 (1): 18-24

  Abstract

  The outcomes for childhood cancer have drastically improved over the last several decades. Previously, irradiation was commonly used for blood-borne (leukemia, lymphoma) cancers and neck and brain tumors. Radiation therapy remains the mainstay of treatment for highly malignant cancers of head and neck and for some primary central nervous system tumors. Unfortunately, radiation therapy has been implicated as a contributor to many late effects of treatment, including cerebrovascular disease from large-vessel vascular injury, stroke, moyamoya, mineralizing microangiopathy, to stroke-like migraine. This review summarizes the pathophysiology of these disorders in relationship to treatment with and without radiation as well as the relevant manifestations of radiation-induced cerebrovascular disease. Patient populations at highest risk and current recommendations for health providers and patient education are emphasized when possible.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.spen.2012.02.012

  View details for Web of Science ID 000305263900004

  View details for PubMedID 22641072

• PROGNOSTIC ROLE OF DIFFUSION-WEIGHTED MRI IN PEDIATRIC OPTIC PATHWAY GLIOMA Yeom, K., Rosenberg, J., Andre, J. B., Fisher, P. G., Edwards, M. S., Barnes, P. D., Partap, S. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2011: 139–40

  View details for Web of Science ID 000297026600547

• Birth Anomalies and Obstetric History as Risks for Childhood Tumors of the Central Nervous System PEDIATRICS Partap, S., Maclean, J., Von Behren, J., Reynolds, P., Fisher, P. G. 2011; 128 (3): E652-E657

  Abstract

  The causes of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors are largely unknown. Birth characteristics have been examined as possible risk factors for childhood CNS tumors, although the studies have been underpowered and inconclusive. We hypothesized that birth anomalies and a mother's history of previous pregnancy losses, as a proxy for genetic defects, increase the risk for CNS tumors.From the California Cancer Registry, we identified 3733 patients aged 0 to 14 years with CNS tumors, diagnosed from 1988 through 2006 and linked to a California birth certificate. Four controls were matched to each patient. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) for the reported presence of a birth defect and for history of pregnancy losses by using logistic regression, adjusted for race, Hispanic ethnicity, maternal age, birth weight, and birth order.Offspring from mothers who had ≥ 2 fetal losses after 20 weeks' gestation had a threefold risk for CNS tumors (OR: 3.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-7.41]) and a 14-fold risk for high-grade glioma (OR: 14.28 [95% CI: 1.56-130.65]). Birth defects increased risk for the CNS cancers medulloblastoma (OR: 1.70 [95% CI: 1.12-2.57]), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (OR: 3.64 [95% CI: 1.54-8.56]), and germ cell tumors (OR: 6.40 [95% CI: 2.09-19.56]).Multiple pregnancy losses after 20 weeks' gestation and birth defects increase the risk of a childhood CNS tumor. Previous pregnancy losses and birth defects may be surrogate markers for gene defects in developmental pathways that lead to CNS tumorigenesis.

  View details for DOI 10.1542/peds.2010-3637

  View details for Web of Science ID 000295406100022

  View details for PubMedID 21824884

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3164097

• Liposomal cytarabine for central nervous system embryonal tumors in children and young adults JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Partap, S., Murphy, P. A., Vogel, H., Barnes, P. D., Edwards, M. S., Fisher, P. G. 2011; 103 (3): 561-566

  Abstract

  To assess the tolerability and efficacy of liposomal cytarabine (LC), an encapsulated, sustained-release, intrathecal (IT) formulation of cytosine arabinoside, in de novo and relapsed central nervous system (CNS) embryonal tumors in children and young adults. We studied retrospectively all patients less than age 30 at our institution treated consecutively with LC for medulloblastoma (MB), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (ATRT). Seventeen patients received LC (2 mg/kg up to 50 mg, every 2 weeks to monthly) at diagnosis of high-risk CNS embryonal tumor (2 PNET, 3 ATRT) or relapse of MB (12 MB; 9 had leptomeningeal metastases). Sixteen patients received concurrent systemic chemotherapy. A total of 108 doses were administered (IT 82, intraventricular 26) with a mean of six (range 1-16) treatments per patient. Only three administrations were associated with adverse effects of arachnoiditis or headache. None developed malignant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology while receiving LC. All the six evaluable patients with malignant CSF cytology and treated with at least two doses cleared their CSF (mean 3 doses, range 1-5). Median overall survival in relapse patients was 9.1 months. Five patients (4 de novo and 1 relapsed) remain alive in complete remission for a median 26.8 months from first LC. Liposomal cytarabine is an easily administered, well-tolerated, and active drug in patients with high-risk embryonal neoplasms. One-third of our cohort remains in remission from otherwise fatal diagnoses. Our findings warrant a phase II trial of LC in newly diagnosed or recurrent CNS embryonal tumors.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-010-0419-y

  View details for PubMedID 20859651

• Effect of chronic red cell transfusion therapy on vasculopathies and silent infarcts in patients with sickle cell disease AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY Gyang, E., Yeom, K., Hoppe, C., Partap, S., Jeng, M. 2011; 86 (1): 104-106

  Abstract

  Regular, chronic red cell transfusions (CTX) have been shown to be effective prophylaxis against stroke in sickle cell disease (SCD) in those at risk. Because serial brain imaging is not routinely performed, little is known about the impact of CTX on silent infarcts (SI) and cerebral vascular pathology. Thus, we retrospectively evaluated the magnetic resonance imaging reports of a cohort of SCD patients who were prescribed CTX for either primary or secondary stroke prophylaxis. Seventeen patients with Hb SS were included (mean age 15 years, mean follow-up 4.3 years). Eight patients were on CTX for primary prophylaxis. New SI occurred in 17.6% of patients corresponding to an SI rate of 5.42 per 100 patient-years. Vasculopathy of the cerebral arteries was present in 65% of patients and progressed in 63% of these patients. Those who developed progressive vasculopathy were on CTX for an average of 8 years before lesions progressed. Patients on CTX for secondary prophylaxis had more SIs and evidence of progressive vascular disease than patients on CTX for primary prophylaxis. We conclude that adherence to CTX does not necessarily prevent SI or halt cerebral vasculopathy progression, especially in those with a history of overt stroke.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/ajh.21901

  View details for PubMedID 21117059

• Birth Weight and Order as Risk Factors for Childhood Central Nervous System Tumors JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Maclean, J., Partap, S., Reynolds, P., Von Behren, J., Fisher, P. G. 2010; 157 (3): 450-455

  Abstract

  To determine whether birth characteristics related to maternal-fetal health in utero are associated with the development of childhood central nervous system tumors.We identified, from the California Cancer Registry, 3733 children under age 15 diagnosed with childhood central nervous system tumors between 1988 and 2006 and linked these cases to their California birth certificates. Four controls per case, matched on birth date and sex, were randomly selected from the same birth files. We evaluated associations of multiple childhood CNS tumor subtypes with birth weight and birth order.Low birth weight was associated with a reduced risk of low-grade gliomas (OR=0.67; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.97) and high birth weight was associated with increased risk of high-grade gliomas (OR=1.57; 95% CI, 1.16 to 2.12). High birth order (fourth or higher) was associated with decreased risk of low-grade gliomas (OR=0.75; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.99) and increased risk of high-grade gliomas (OR=1.32; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.72 for second order).Factors that drive growth in utero may increase the risk of low-grade gliomas. There may be a similar relationship in high-grade gliomas, although other factors, such as early infection, may modify this association. Additional investigation is warranted to validate and further define these findings.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.04.006

  View details for Web of Science ID 000281116100023

  View details for PubMedID 20553692

• Embryonal Tumors PEDIATRIC CNS TUMORS, SECOND EDITION Partap, S., Fisher, P., Gupta, N., Banerjee, A., HaasKogan, D. 2010: 89–114

  View details for DOI 10.1007/978-3-540-87979-4_5

  View details for Web of Science ID 000273348100005

• Cerebrovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors A Children's Oncology Group Report NEUROLOGY Morris, B., Partap, S., Yeom, K., Gibbs, I. C., Fisher, P. G., King, A. A. 2009; 73 (22): 1906-1913

  Abstract

  Curative therapy for childhood cancer has dramatically improved over past decades. Therapeutic radiation has been instrumental in this success. Unfortunately, irradiation is associated with untoward effects, including stroke and other cerebrovascular disease (CVD). The Children's Oncology Group (COG) has developed guidelines for screening survivors at risk for persistent or late sequelae of cancer therapy.This review summarizes the pathophysiology and relevant manifestations of radiation-induced CVD and outlines the specific patient groups at risk for early-onset stroke. The reader will be alerted to the availability of the COG recommendations for monitoring, and, when applicable, specific screening and treatment recommendations will be highlighted.A multidisciplinary task force critically reviewed the existing literature and scored the evidence to establish the current COG guidelines for monitoring health of survivors treated with head and neck irradiation.Previous head and neck exposure to therapeutic radiation is associated with latent CVD and increased risk for stroke in some patient groups. Common manifestations of radiation-induced CVD includes steno-occlusive disease, moyamoya, aneurysm, mineralizing microangiopathy, vascular malformations, and strokelike migraines.Risk for stroke is increased in survivors of pediatric CNS tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received radiation to the brain and/or neck. As the population of survivors ages, vigilance for stroke and cerebrovascular disease needs to continue based on specific exposures during curative cancer therapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c17ea8

  View details for Web of Science ID 000272205200015

  View details for PubMedID 19812380

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC2788797

• Medulloblastoma Incidence has not Changed Over Time A CBTRUS Study JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Partap, S., Curran, E. K., Propp, J. M., Le, G. M., Sainani, K. L., Fisher, P. G. 2009; 31 (12): 970-971

  Abstract

  Earlier studies have reported changes in the incidence of medulloblastoma (MB) but have conflicted, likely because of small sample size or misclassification of MB with primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). The incidence of MB and PNET from 1985 to 2002 was determined from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, a large population-based cancer registry, using strict histologic and site codes. No statistically significant change in MB incidence was observed over the last 2 decades, but there was an increase in MB and PNET combined.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000272658700019

  View details for PubMedID 19887963

• Levetiracetam For Seizures in Children With Brain Tumors and Other Cancers PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER Partap, S., Fisher, P. G. 2009; 52 (2): 288-289

  Abstract

  Children with brain tumors and other cancers can suffer from seizures. Unfortunately, most antiepileptic therapies are metabolized by the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) system. Levetiracetam, a newer anticonvulsant, does not undergo CYP metabolism and does not alter the pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy, antiemetics, and corticosteroids, which are metabolized by the liver. We studied 23 patients with cancer and seizures treated with levetiracetam. Over 95% of patients had fewer seizures, with 65.2% becoming seizure free; only one patient experienced an adverse reaction. Levetiracetam is effective and well tolerated in children with brain tumors and other cancers, who are often on multiple enzyme-inducing drugs.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/pbc.21772

  View details for Web of Science ID 000261796000032

  View details for PubMedID 18831033

• Neurological complications in children. Cancer treatment and research Partap, S., Fisher, P. G. 2009; 150: 133-143

  View details for DOI 10.1007/b109924_9

  View details for PubMedID 19834666

• Epidemiology of Pediatric Central Nervous System Germ Cell Tumors: A California Cancer Registry Study Partap, S., Von Behren, J., MacLean, J., Fisher, P. G., Reynolds, P. R. WILEY-LISS. 2008: S152

  View details for Web of Science ID 000262112100044

• GENDER, BIRTH SEASONALITY, AND BIRTH DEFECTS AS RISK FACTORS FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS: A CALIFORNIA CANCER REGISTRY STUDY Partap, S., Von Behren, J., Maclean, J., Fisher, P., Reynolds, P. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2008: 779–80

  View details for Web of Science ID 000259854500088

• Perinatal risk factors for childhood brain tumors: A California case-control study Maclean, J., Von Behren, J., Partap, S., Fisher, P., Reynolds, P. DUKE UNIV PRESS. 2008: 415

  View details for Web of Science ID 000256974900172

• 50 years ago in The Journal of Pediatrics - Jacksonian seizures in infancy and childhood JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Partap, S. 2008; 152 (6): 800

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpeds.2007.12.039

  View details for Web of Science ID 000256373800016

• Epidemiology of pediatric CNS germ cell tumors: A California Cancer Registry study Partap, S., Von Behren, J., Maclean, J., Fisher, P., Reynolds, P. DUKE UNIV PRESS. 2008: 413

  View details for Web of Science ID 000256974900165

• Update on new treatments and developments in childhood brain tumors CURRENT OPINION IN PEDIATRICS Partap, S., Fisher, P. G. 2007; 19 (6): 670-674

  Abstract

  Childhood primary central nervous system tumors remain a therapeutic conundrum. As the second most common pediatric cancer, brain tumors lead to significantly worse survival and long-term effects compared with those seen with hematologic malignancies and other solid tumors. This review discusses current management strategies in three pediatric brain tumors, the long-term effects of therapy, as well as novel laboratory findings that may alter future treatment strategies.The current literature focuses on tactics to predict those at risk of treatment failure and long-term effects. By analyzing tumors at a molecular genetics level rather than traditional histology, new data have begun to emerge on methods to begin to consider targeted therapies, tailored to the individual child. Furthermore, as survivorship has improved with current radiation and chemotherapy regimens, long-term effects have been identified and merit clinical attention.Even though long-term survival for children with a brain tumor approaches 70%, the need for improved treatment regimens is striking. Secondary malignancies, neurocognitive deficits and treatment failure continue to afflict these children and young adults. The current review will inform clinicians of the challenges faced by basic scientists and clinicians when treating brain tumors, and point to future research directions.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000251347800010

  View details for PubMedID 18025934

• Effectiveness and tolerability of levetiracetam as an anticonvulsant in children with brain tumors and other cancers Partap, S., Fisher, P. DUKE UNIV PRESS. 2007: 538-539

  View details for Web of Science ID 000249999100278

• Agenesis of the corpus callosum: Report of eight cases in infancy JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Partap, S. 2007; 150 (4): 399

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.10.015

  View details for Web of Science ID 000245535600018

• 50 Years Ago in The Journal of Pediatrics: Agenesis of the corpus callosum: report of eight cases in infancy. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Partap, S. 2007; 150 (4): 399
• 50 Years Ago in The Journal of Pediatrics: Low cerebrospinal fluid glucose associated with meningeal neoplasia JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Partap, S. 2007; 151 (2): 177
• Spontaneously relapsing and remitting primary CNS lymphoma in an immunocompetent 45-year-old man JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Partap, S., Spence, A. M. 2006; 80 (3): 305-307

  Abstract

  A 45-year-old immunocompetent man with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) presented with multiple spontaneous relapses and remissions in the absence of steroid treatment. Because of the fluctuations with improvement in both the clinical course and MRI findings, alternative disorders were considered that led to delay of diagnosis and treatment prior to brain biopsy. This case and a handful of others with single remissions emphasize that PCNSL cannot be reliably ruled out by improving or disappearing symptoms, signs or traditional MR imaging abnormalities.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-006-9192-3

  View details for Web of Science ID 000243002600011

  View details for PubMedID 16794747

• Complications of a temozolomide overdose: a case report JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY Spence, A. M., Kiem, H., Partap, S., Schuetze, S., Silber, J. R., Peterson, R. A. 2006; 80 (1): 57-61

  Abstract

  This is a report of a 53 year-old man with a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treated with an excessive dose of temozolomide (TMZ).This is a single case review of all clinically relevant records. O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase activity was determined by a biochemical assay.Following conventional radiotherapy (RT) without concurrent chemotherapy, the patient received 5,500 mg of TMZ over 2 days. At the standard dose of 200 mg/m2/day his total 5-day dose should have been 1,940 mg. Acutely he had nausea, vomiting and diarrhea for 2 days which cleared. The dominant severe toxicity was pancytopenia between one and four weeks after TMZ which was complicated by secondary infections that were successfully managed. Transient transaminitis occurred but there were no significant pulmonary, renal or other systemic toxicities. His progression free survival was 22 months and overall survival 24 months.His outcome suggests that TMZ may prove to be a good agent for dose-escalation trials with hematopoietic stem cell rescue.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s11060-006-9152-y

  View details for Web of Science ID 000240802300009

  View details for PubMedID 16645714

• Prolonged but reversible migraine-like episodes long after cranial irradiation NEUROLOGY Partap, S., Walker, M., Longstreth, W. T., Spence, A. M. 2006; 66 (7): 1105-1107

  Abstract

  The authors describe three patients with prolonged but reversible episodes of severe headaches and focal neurologic deficits developing years after irradiation for cranial neoplasms. Despite extensive evaluations, etiology of episodes in these three and eight other previously reported patients remains undetermined. Whether they all have the same condition is uncertain. Although some had cortical gadolinium enhancement on MRI, all 11 patients returned to baseline over hours to weeks.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000236673300030

  View details for PubMedID 16606929