Brain Tumor Invasion

It is widely appreciated that the pathophysiology of advanced brain cancer is intimately related to the extent of tumor invasiveness. A prerequisite for comprehensively understanding neuro-oncology is therefore the elucidation of the biochemical and molecular properties of tumor cells that contribute to their invasiveness. An understanding of tumor invasion for central nervous system tumors is crucial since malignant brain tumors are very highly invasive and extensively destroy adjacent neural brain tissue. Moreover, they are angiogenesis-dependent and lead to the death of patients by expanding within the limited space of the cranium. As more specific insights are gained towards a full understanding of the complex process of tumor invasiveness of brain tumor cells, it should be possible to design strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of invasive, advanced brain tumors. There is therefore an urgent need to better understand the cellular properties of brain tumor cells responsible for invasiveness. This special issue of the JOURNAL OF NEURO-ONCOLOGY provides a state-of-the-art review of the general understanding of the process of tumor invasion. In addition, the articles emphasize specific aspects of aggressive brain cancers which are particularly important for deriving new insights for therapeutic approaches for advanced brain cancer that will target tumor invasiveness. The ideas discussed will stimulate further studies directed towards the translation of these important invasion-related studies to clinical approaches for the effective treatment of brain cancer.

Brain Tumor Invasion Biological, Clinical, and Therapeutic Considerations Edited by Tom Mikkelsen Rolf Bjerkvig Ole Didrik Laerum Mark L. Rosenblum Recent advances in molecular biology have given us profound new insights into the behavior of primary brain tumors. Not only are such tumors more diffuse in their infiltration of brain tissue and therefore less amenable to surgery than brain tumors originating elsewhere in the body—it now appears that the central nervous system and the normal brain itself constitute a biological environment conducive to the uncontrolled spread of primary tumors. Brain Tumor Invasion is the first comprehensive reference devoted to the invasive behavior of primary brain tumors. It examines the biological mechanisms responsible for the increased ability of gliomas to metastasize in the central nervous system, and discusses the role of chemical carcinogens, growth factors, oncogenes, and tumor suppressors in the progression of such metastases. This book surveys the latest research in the field, reviews present and future prospects of anti-invasive brain tumor therapy, and even translates preclinical trials and other research results into potential new therapies. The material is divided into five main categories: Developmental biology and molecular neuro-oncology Pathological and clinical features of malignant brain tumors Models for the study of brain tumor invasion in vivo and in vitro Mechanisms of invasion New therapeutic strategies Brain Tumor Invasion offers dozens of maps and photographs that illustrate topics under discussion. This in-depth introduction to one of the most difficult problems in the management of brain tumors is indispensable to neuro-oncologists involved in brain tumor research and therapy. It is also useful to researchers in cancer biology, neuroscience, cell biology, and molecular genetics.

Brain Tumors: Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies focuses on tumor models, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of this disease, and on the new diagnostic and treatment strategies utilized to stage and treat this malignancy. A special section on immunotherapy and gene therapy provides the most up-to-date information on the pre-clinical and clinical advances of this therapeutic venue. Each chapter in Brain Tumors: Current and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies is authored by international experts with extensive experience in the areas covered.

Glioblastoma is an aggressive incurable primary tumor of the central nervous system. Median overall survival is in the range of 1.5 years even in selected clinical trials populations. Many features contribute to this therapeutic challenge including high intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity, resistance to therapy, migration and invasion, immunosuppression. With the access of novel highthroughput technologies, significant progress has been made to understand molecular and immunological signatures underlying the pathology of glioblastoma. Clinical trial designs have shifted from investigating broad “one-for-all” treatment approaches to precision oncology designs. The collection of contributions in this book aim at providing researchers and clinicians an update on different aspects of glioblastoma, i.e. progress in basic, preclinical and clinical research.

This volume discusses novel concepts in cancer biology, focusing on different factors that affect the tumor microenvironment. Topics covered include sex-based differences in the tumor microenironment, dormancy in the tumor microenvironment, the influence of obesity on the tumor microenvironment, and much more. Taken alongside its companion volumes, Tumor Microenvironment: Novel Concepts covers the latest research on various aspects of the tumor microenvironment, as well as future directions. Useful for introducing the newer generation of researchers to the history of how scientists studied the tumor microenvironment as well as how this knowledge is currently applied for cancer treatments, it will be essential reading for advanced cell biology and cancer biology students, as well as researchers seeking an update on research on the tumor microenvironment.

Covers a wide range of topics on robotic radiosurgery. General topics on robotic radiosurgery include: 9 chapters on history, physics, radiobiology and technology and 24 chapters on CNS, non-CNS and future applications in robotic radiosurgery. Includes 157 figures and 93 tables,

This volume mainly contains information on the diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis of brain tumors. Insights on the understanding of molecular pathways involved in tumor biology are explained, which should lead to the development of effective drugs. Information on pathways (e.g., hedgehog) facilitates targeted therapies in cancer. Tumor models are also presented, which utilize expression data, pathway sensitivity, and genetic abnormalities, representing targets in cancer. For example, rat model of malignant brain tumors using implantation of doxorubicin with drug eluting beads for delivery is explained. The future of pathway-driven therapies for tumors is summarized. The importance of personalizing cancer care is emphasized. The need for supportive measures for survivors of brain cancer is pointed out, so is the quality of life monitoring. The need of rehabilitation therapy for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors is also emphasized. Role of MicroRNA in distinguishing primary tumors from metastatic primary tumors is discussed. Advantages and limitations of chemotherapy (e.g., temozolomide and doxorubicin) are discussed. The complexity of tumor to tumor transfer is explained; examples discussed are: brain metastases from breast cancer and brain metastases fro non-small cell lung carcinoma. Identification and characterization of biomarkers, including those for metastatic brain tumors, are presented. Genomic analysis for identifying clinically relevant subtypes of glioblastoma is included. A large number of imaging modalities are detailed to study progression and invasion of gliomas