bims-netuvo 2024-05-12 papers

bims-netuvo

Biomed News

on Nerves in tumours of visceral organs

Issue of 2024‒05‒12
fourteen papers selected by
Maksym V. Kopanitsa, The Francis Crick Institute

Regulating tumor innervation by nanodrugs potentiates cancer immunochemotherapy and relieve chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.
Spectral CT in the evaluation of perineural invasion status in rectal cancer.
Perineural Invasion is an Important Prognostic Factor in Patients With Radically Resected (R0) and Node-negative (pN0) Pancreatic Cancer.
Contemporary Approach to Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors.
Initial screening for neuronal autoantibodies and their putative impact on survival in patients with small-cell lung cancer.
Images in Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology: A Case Report of Neurofibromatosis-1.
circVAPA-rich small extracellular vesicles derived from gastric cancer promote neural invasion by inhibiting SLIT2 expression in neuronal cells.
Past, Present, and Future Therapeutic Strategies for NF-1-Associated Tumors.
Differential analysis of histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness, and survival difference in EBV-positive and EBV-negative prostate carcinoma.
Schwann Cell Hamartoma Presenting as a Colonic Polyp: A Rare Case Report With a Literature Review.
Predictors for Long-Term Survival After Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral nerve tumors: results from the German multicentric Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry.
Cancer related cognitive impairment: a downside of cancer treatment.
Mucosal Schwann Cell Hamartoma on Screening Colonoscopy: An Unusual Finding.

Biomaterials. 2024 May 03. pii: S0142-9612(24)00137-6. [Epub ahead of print]309 122603

Regulating tumor innervation by nanodrugs potentiates cancer immunochemotherapy and relieve chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain.

Shuting Zuo, Zhenyu Wang, Xiaoman Jiang, Yuewu Zhao, Panyue Wen, Jine Wang, Junjie Li, Masaru Tanaka, Shao Dan, Yan Zhang, Zheng Wang.

  Sympathetic nerves play a pivotal role in promoting tumor growth through crosstalk with tumor and stromal cells. Chemotherapy exacerbates the infiltration of sympathetic nerves into tumors, thereby providing a rationale for inhibiting sympathetic innervation to enhance chemotherapy. Here, we discovered that doxorubicin increases the density and activity of sympathetic nerves in breast cancer mainly by upregulating the expression of nerve growth factors (NGFs) in cancer cells. To address this, we developed a combination therapy by co-encapsulating small interfering RNA (siRNA) and doxorubicin within breast cancer-targeted poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, aiming to suppress NGF expression post-chemotherapy. Incorporating NGF blockade into the nanoplatform for chemotherapy effectively mitigated the chemotherapy-induced proliferation of sympathetic nerves. This not only bolstered the tumoricidal activity of chemotherapy, but also amplified its stimulatory impact on the antitumor immune response by increasing the infiltration of immunostimulatory cells into tumors while concurrently reducing the frequency of immunosuppressive cells. Consequently, the combined nanodrug approach, when coupled with anti-PD-L1 treatment, exhibited a remarkable suppression of primary and deeply metastatic tumors with minimal systematic toxicity. Importantly, the nanoplatform relieved chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain (CIPNP) by diminishing the expression of pain mediator NGFs. In summary, this research underscores the significant potential of NGF knockdown in enhancing immunochemotherapy outcomes and presents a nanoplatform for the highly efficient and low-toxicity treatment of breast cancer.

Keywords:  Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain; Immunochemotherapy; Nanodrug; Nerve growth factor; Sympathetic nerves

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122603
Jpn J Radiol. 2024 May 06.

Spectral CT in the evaluation of perineural invasion status in rectal cancer.

Wenzheng Lu, Xiaoying Tan, Yanqi Zhong, Peng Wang, Yuxi Ge, Heng Zhang, Shudong Hu.

  PURPOSE: To investigate whether preoperative spectral CT quantitative parameters can assess perineural invasion (PNI) status in rectal cancer.METHODS: Sixty-two patients diagnosed with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative spectral CT were retrospectively enrolled and divided into positive and negative PNI groups according to histopathologic results. The CT attenuation value (HU) of virtual monochromatic images (40-70 keV), spectral curve slope (K(HU)), effective atomic number (Zeff), and iodine concentration (IC) from spectral CT were compared between these two groups using t test or rank sum test. A nomogram was established by incorporating the independent predictors to assess the overall diagnostic efficacy. The area under the ROC curves (AUCs) were compared using the DeLong test.
RESULTS: The preoperative spectral CT parameters (40-70 keV attenuation, K(HU), Zeff, and IC) were significantly higher in the PNI-positive group compared to the PNI-negative group (all p < 0.05). The highest predictive efficiency of PNI was observed at 40 keV attenuation, with an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.847, 81.8%, 72.5%, and 75.8%, respectively. Binary logistic regression demonstrated that the clinical feature (cN stage) and 40 keV attenuation were independent predictors of PNI status. The nomogram incorporating these two predictors (cN stage and 40 keV attenuation) exhibited the best evaluation efficacy, with an AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 0.885, 86.4%, 77.5%, and 80.6%.
CONCLUSION: Spectral CT quantitative parameters proved valuable in the preoperative assessment of PNI status in rectal cancer patients. The combination of spectral CT parameters and clinical features could further enhance the diagnostic efficiency.

Keywords:  Nomogram; Perineural invasion; Rectal cancer; Spectral CT

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-024-01575-7
Ann Surg. 2024 May 06.

Perineural Invasion is an Important Prognostic Factor in Patients With Radically Resected (R0) and Node-negative (pN0) Pancreatic Cancer.

Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between perineural invasion (PNI) and overall survival (OS) in a nationwide cohort of patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), stratified for margin negative (R0) or positive (R1) resection and absence or presence of lymph node metastasis (pN0 or pN1-N2, respectively).BACKGROUND: Patients with R0 and pN0 resected PDAC have a relatively favorable prognosis. As PNI is associated with worse OS, this might be a useful factor to provide further prognostic information for patients counselling.
METHODS: A nationwide observational cohort study was performed including all patients who underwent PDAC resection in the Netherlands (2014-2019) with complete information on relevant pathological features (PNI, R status, and N status). OS was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox-proportional hazard analyses were performed to calculate hazard ratio's (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS: In total, 1630 patients were included with a median follow-up of 43 (interquartile range 33-58) months. PNI was independently associated with worse OS in both R0 patients (HR 1.49 [95%CI 1.18-1.88]; P<0.001) and R1 patients (HR 1.39 [95% CI 1.06-1.83]; P=0.02), as well as in pN0 patients (HR 1.75 [95%CI 1.27-2.41]; P<0.001) and pN1-N2 patients (HR 1.35 [95% CI 1.10-1.67]; P<0.01). In 315 patients with R0N0, multivariable analysis showed that PNI was the strongest predictor of OS (HR 2.24 [95% CI 1.52-3.30]; P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: PNI is strongly associated with worse survival in patients with resected PDAC, in particular in patients with relatively favorable pathological features. These findings may aid patient stratification and counselling and help guide treatment strategies.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000006320
Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2024 Jun;44(3): e432242

Contemporary Approach to Neurofibromatosis Type 1-Associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors.

Angela C Hirbe, Carina A Dehner, Eva Dombi, Vanessa Eulo, Andrea M Gross, Taylor Sundby, Alexander J Lazar, Brigitte C Widemann.

Most malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are clinically aggressive high-grade sarcomas, arising in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at a significantly elevated estimated lifetime frequency of 8%-13%. In the setting of NF1, MPNSTs arise from malignant transformation of benign plexiform neurofibroma and borderline atypical neurofibromas. Composed of neoplastic cells from the Schwannian lineage, these cancers recur in approximately 50% of individuals, and most patients die within five years of diagnosis, despite surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment for metastatic disease is limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy and investigational clinical trials. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of this aggressive cancer and current approaches to surveillance and treatment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1200/EDBK_432242
Thorac Cancer. 2024 May 04.

Initial screening for neuronal autoantibodies and their putative impact on survival in patients with small-cell lung cancer.

Anne With Mikkelsen, Anna Christine Nilsson, Helene Broch Tenstad, Soeren Thue Lillevang, Nasrin Asgari.

  INTRODUCTION: Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) may be associated with neuronal autoantibodies and paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. It has been suggested that neuronal autoantibodies, especially antineuronal nuclear antibody type 1 (Hu) autoantibodies, are associated with longer survival of patients with SCLC. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and distribution of neuronal autoantibodies at the time of diagnosis of SCLC patients and assess survival rates in relation to autoimmunity.METHODS: In this retrospective study, serum from 40 patients with biopsy-proven SCLC at the time of diagnosis was studied prior to treatment. The sera originated from a cancer registry at the Oncology Department, Vejle Hospital from 2007 to 2010. The sera were analyzed blindly to clinical status for the presence of neuronal autoantibodies. Medical records were reviewed for neurological symptoms.
RESULTS: Neuronal autoantibodies were detected in 22/40 (55%) of the SCLC patients. A broad range of neurological symptoms was recorded in 28/40 (70%) patients, of which 14/28 (50%) were positive for neuronal autoantibodies. The most frequently detected autoantibodies were Hu (7/40, 17.5%) followed by GAD65 (6/22, 15.0%). Striational and P/Q- or N-type voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies were less common, with each found in five patients (12.5%). Eight patients (20%) had coexisting autoantibodies. Autoantibody-positivity was not associated with survival.
CONCLUSION: Neuronal autoantibodies were at time of diagnosis found in approximately half of the treatment-naïve SCLC patients. Neither autoantibody positivity at diagnosis nor neurological manifestations correlated with survival and their clinical importance requires further studies in larger, prospective cohorts.

Keywords:  anti‐neuronal antibodies; autoimmunity; paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS); small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC)

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/1759-7714.15318
J Immunother Precis Oncol. 2024 May;7(2): 122-125

Images in Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology: A Case Report of Neurofibromatosis-1.

Anagha Deshpande, Javier Munoz, Vrushali Dabak, Amr Hanbali, Razelle Kurzrock.

  Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that primarily causes the growth of tumors along nerves. Additionally, the germline mutations involved in NF1 predispose patients to develop further malignancies. The mainstay initial treatment for these malignancies is surgical removal at diagnosis, although targeted therapies are under evaluation in the relapsed setting. We report a case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), and pheochromocytoma in a patient with NF1 who presented with an infected right shoulder lesion that was confirmed to be spindle cell sarcoma via biopsy. She was treated with antibiotics; however, she rapidly deteriorated and opted for hospice care. NF1 germline mutations increase the risk of patients developing various types of cancer. Recent studies have shown that there is a role for using MEK inhibitors such as selumetinib for treating patients with NF1.

Keywords:  case report; gastrointestinal stromal tumor; malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor; neurofibromatosis; pheochromocytoma

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.36401/JIPO-23-32
Cancer Lett. 2024 May 05. pii: S0304-3835(24)00319-7. [Epub ahead of print]592 216926

circVAPA-rich small extracellular vesicles derived from gastric cancer promote neural invasion by inhibiting SLIT2 expression in neuronal cells.

Yiwen Xia, Tianlu Jiang, Ying Li, Chao Gu, Jialun Lv, Chen Lu, Penghui Xu, Lang Fang, Zetian Chen, Hongda Liu, Diancai Zhang, Hao Xu, Li Yang, Zekuan Xu, Linjun Wang.

  Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common cancer worldwide. Neural invasion (NI) is considered as the symbiotic interaction between nerves and cancers, which strongly affects the prognosis of GC patients. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play a key role in intercellular communication. However, whether sEVs mediate GC-NI remains unexplored. In this study, sEVs release inhibitor reduces the NI potential of GC cells. Muscarinic receptor M3 on GC-derived sEVs regulates their absorption by neuronal cells. The enrichment of sEV-circVAPA in NI-positive patients' serum is validated by serum high throughput sEV-circRNA sequencing and clinical samples. sEV-circVAPA promotes GC-NI in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, sEV-circVAPA decreases SLIT2 transcription by miR-548p/TGIF2 and inhibits SLIT2 translation via binding to eIF4G1, thereby downregulates SLIT2 expression in neuronal cells and finally induces GC-NI. Together, this work identifies the preferential absorption mechanism of GC-derived sEVs by neuronal cells and demonstrates a previously undefined role of GC-derived sEV-circRNA in GC-NI, which provides new insight into sEV-circRNA based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for NI-positive GC patients.

Keywords:  Gastric cancer; Neural invasion; SLIT2; Small extracellular vesicles; circVAPA

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216926
Curr Oncol Rep. 2024 May 06.

Past, Present, and Future Therapeutic Strategies for NF-1-Associated Tumors.

Brian Na, Shilp R Shah, Harish N Vasudevan.

  PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is a cancer predisposition syndrome caused by mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene that encodes the neurofibromin protein, which functions as a negative regulator of Ras signaling. We review the past, current, and future state of therapeutic strategies for tumors associated with NF-1.RECENT FINDINGS: Therapeutic efforts for NF-1-associated tumors have centered around inhibiting Ras output, leading to the clinical success of downstream MEK inhibition for plexiform neurofibromas and low-grade gliomas. However, MEK inhibition and similar molecular monotherapy approaches that block Ras signaling do not work for all patients and show limited efficacy for more aggressive cancers such as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and high-grade gliomas, motivating novel treatment approaches. We highlight the current therapeutic landscape for NF-1-associated tumors, broadly categorizing treatment into past strategies for serial Ras pathway blockade, current approaches targeting parallel oncogenic and tumor suppressor pathways, and future avenues of investigation leveraging biologic and technical innovations in immunotherapy, pharmacology, and gene delivery.

Keywords:  Cell signaling; MEK inhibition; Neurofibromatosis type 1; Targeted therapy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-024-01527-4
Sci Rep. 2024 05 05. 14(1): 10315

Differential analysis of histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness, and survival difference in EBV-positive and EBV-negative prostate carcinoma.

Khalid Ahmed, Alisalman Sheikh, Saira Fatima, Tahira Ghulam, Ghulam Haider, Farhat Abbas, Antonio Sarria-Santamera, Kulsoom Ghias, Nouman Mughal, Syed Hani Abidi.

  Several studies have shown an association between prostate carcinoma (PCa) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV); however, none of the studies so far have identified the histopathological and genetic markers of cancer aggressiveness associated with EBV in PCa tissues. In this study, we used previously characterized EBV-PCR-positive (n = 39) and EBV-negative (n = 60) PCa tissues to perform an IHC-based assessment of key histopathological and molecular markers of PCa aggressiveness (EMT markers, AR expression, perineural invasion, and lymphocytic infiltration characterization). Additionally, we investigated the differential expression of key oncogenes, EMT-associated genes, and PCa-specific oncomiRs, in EBV-positive and -negative tissues, using the qPCR array. Finally, survival benefit analysis was also performed in EBV-positive and EBV-negative PCa patients. The EBV-positive PCa exhibited a higher percentage (80%) of perineural invasion (PNI) compared to EBV-negative PCa (67.3%) samples. Similarly, a higher lymphocytic infiltration was observed in EBV-LMP1-positive PCa samples. The subset characterization of T and B cell lymphocytic infiltration showed a trend of higher intratumoral and tumor stromal lymphocytic infiltration in EBV-negative tissues compared with EBV-positive tissues. The logistic regression analysis showed that EBV-positive status was associated with decreased odds (OR = 0.07; p-value < 0.019) of CD3 intratumoral lymphocytic infiltration in PCa tissues. The analysis of IHC-based expression patterns of EMT markers showed comparable expression of all EMT markers, except vimentin, which showed higher expression in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Furthermore, gene expression analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the expression of CDH1, AR, CHEK-2, CDKN-1B, and CDC-20 and oncomiRs miR-126, miR-152-3p, miR-452, miR-145-3p, miR-196a, miR-183-3p, and miR-146b in EBV-positive PCa tissues compared to EBV-negative PCa tissues. Overall, the survival proportion was comparable in both groups. The presence of EBV in the PCa tissues results in an increased expression of certain oncogenes, oncomiRs, and EMT marker (vimentin) and a decrease in CD3 ITL, which may be associated with the aggressive forms of PCa.

Keywords:  EBV; EMT markers; Gene expression; Gleason scores; LMP1; Oncogenes; Prostate carcinoma; Survival analysis; Tumor grade

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60538-0
Cureus. 2024 Apr;16(4): e57674

Schwann Cell Hamartoma Presenting as a Colonic Polyp: A Rare Case Report With a Literature Review.

Faryal Altaf, Nismat Javed, Haider Ghazanfar, Anil Dev.

  Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas (MSCHs) are non-common noncancerous growths derived from Schwann cells in the peripheral nervous system, often found unexpectedly during routine colonoscopy examinations. These growths primarily occur in the colon, although they can also appear in the esophagus and are not linked to familial cancer syndromes. Diagnosis relies on specific histological characteristics and staining patterns. It is essential to distinguish MSCHs accurately since their appearance can closely resemble that of malignant tumors. Characteristically, these hamartomas test positive for S-100 protein but do not exhibit markers typical of other gastrointestinal growths, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (negative for KIT), leiomyomas (negative for smooth muscle actin), neurofibromas (negative for CD34), and perineuromas (negative for epithelial membrane antigen or claudin-1). This report discusses the case of a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with MSCH during a screening colonoscopy.

Keywords:  benign; colon; colonoscopy; gastrointestinal; hamartoma; schwann cell hematoma

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.57674
Ann Surg Oncol. 2024 May 06.

Predictors for Long-Term Survival After Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PANC-PALS Consortium

  BACKGROUND: Improved systemic therapy has made long term (≥ 5 years) overall survival (LTS) after resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) increasingly common. However, a systematic review on predictors of LTS following resection of PDAC is lacking.METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases were systematically searched from inception until March 2023. Studies reporting actual survival data (based on follow-up and not survival analysis estimates) on factors associated with LTS were included. Meta-analyses were conducted by using a random effects model, and study quality was gauged by using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).
RESULTS: Twenty-five studies with 27,091 patients (LTS: 2,132, non-LTS: 24,959) who underwent surgical resection for PDAC were meta-analyzed. The median proportion of LTS patients was 18.32% (IQR 12.97-21.18%) based on 20 studies. Predictors for LTS included sex, body mass index (BMI), preoperative levels of CA19-9, CEA, and albumin, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, tumor grade, AJCC stage, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, pathologic T-stage, nodal disease, metastatic disease, margin status, adjuvant therapy, vascular resection, operative time, operative blood loss, and perioperative blood transfusion. Most articles received a "good" NOS assessment, indicating an acceptable risk of bias.
CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis pools all true follow up data in the literature to quantify associations between prognostic factors and LTS after resection of PDAC. While there appears to be evidence of a complex interplay between risk, tumor biology, patient characteristics, and management related factors, no single parameter can predict LTS after the resection of PDAC.

Keywords:  Long-term survival; Meta-analysis; PDAC; Pancreatic diseases; Pancreatic ductal carcinoma; Pancreatic neoplasms; Postoperative survival; Systematic review

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-024-15281-1
Front Oncol. 2024 ;14 1398252

Health-related quality of life in patients with peripheral nerve tumors: results from the German multicentric Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry.

Nadja Grübel, Gregor Antoniadis, Uerschels Ak, Benjamin Mayer, Ralph König, Christian Rainer Wirtz, Andrej Pala, Nora F Dengler, Maria Teresa Pedro.

  Objective: Peripheral nerve tumors (PNTs) are rare diseases. So far, no multicenter data on diagnostics, the efficacy of treatment, long-term outcomes, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) exist. The establishment of the Peripheral Nerve Tumor Registry (PNTR) in 2015 allows for the systematic analysis of patients with tumors associated with peripheral nerves. The present study aims to investigate the impact of PNT on an individual's HRQoL and the effect of surgery.Methods: HRQoL was pre- and postoperatively assessed by the Euro-Qol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and Euro-Qol visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) survey in the retrospective and prospective study arm in three active participating study centers. An index was calculated based on the EQ-5D-5L for the quantification of health state (0: worst possible state of health, 1: best possible state of health). The EQ-VAS ranges from 0% (worst imaginable health status) to 100% (best possible health status). Patient characteristics (age, sex), as well as disease (histopathological entity) and treatment (pre- and postoperative symptoms, type of treatment)-specific data, were analyzed.
Results: Data from 171 patients from three high-volume centers were included, with schwannoma (70.8%, n = 121) and neurofibroma (15.8%, n = 27) being the most prevalent histopathological diagnoses. Both the median health index value (preoperative: 0.887, n = 167; postoperative: 0.910, n = 166) and the median EQ-VAS (preoperative: 75%, n = 167; postoperative: 85%, n = 166) of the entire cohort regarding all histopathological diagnosis improved significantly after surgical therapy (p < 0.001). Preoperatively, 12.3% (n = 21) reached the highest index score of 1.0 in EQ-5D-5L and 100% in the EQ-VAS score in 5.3% (n = 9) of all patients. Postoperatively, the highest index score of 1.0 and 100% in the EQ-VAS score increased significantly and were achieved in 33.3% (n = 57) and 11.1% (n = 19) of the patients, respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: For the first time, our study presents multicenter data on life quality and the effect of surgery in primarily benign peripheral nerve tumors. Early surgery at a specialized center could improve neurological outcomes and, in conclusion, better QoL. In summary, surgical therapy significantly improved the entire cohort's QoL, VAS, and analgesia.

Keywords:  life quality; malignant peripheral nerve tumor; neurofibromatosis; pain; peripheral nerve tumor

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1398252
Front Oncol. 2024 ;14 1387251

Cancer related cognitive impairment: a downside of cancer treatment.

Kimberly Demos-Davies, Jessica Lawrence, Davis Seelig.

  Cancer treatment is associated with long lasting cognitive impairment in cancer survivors. This cognitive impairment is often termed cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI). Cancer survivors treated for tumors outside the central nervous system are increasingly diagnosed with CRCI. The development of strategies to mitigate the negative effects of cancer treatment on the brain are crucial. Although neuroimaging research has proposed several candidate mechanisms, the pathogenic underpinnings of CRCI remain uncertain. As such, preventative and treatment strategies have not been identified. To fill these gaps, animal models play a vital role in isolating underlying contributing mechanisms that promote CRCI and in testing new therapeutic approaches.

Keywords:  CRCI; cancer related cognitive impairment; cancer treatment; chemobrain; neurobehavior

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2024.1387251
Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2024 ;11(5): 004461

Mucosal Schwann Cell Hamartoma on Screening Colonoscopy: An Unusual Finding.

Haidar Hussain Barjas, Yousef Yahia, Joud Aboudeh, Farah J N Assaf, Adham Ammar.

  Schwann cells are found in the peripheral nervous system and can sometimes appear as benign hamartoma lesions in various parts of the body. Although rare in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, they have been observed in the colon. Recently, mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas of the GI tract have been studied, and it was discovered that they had yet to be investigated up to 2009. In this context, we present the case of a 60-year-old man who was found to have lesions in the transverse colon during a routine colonoscopy. No further investigations were conducted since these lesions have not been associated with any risk of malignancy transformation and have not been linked to any inherited syndromes.LEARNING POINTS: Mucosal Schwann cell hamartomas are rare types of polyps that can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract.They are benign lesions not usually associated with any inherited syndrome and they are usually found incidentally by endoscopy.These polyps are benign and might not require further follow-up once diagnosed.

Keywords:  Hamartomas; Schwann cell; colonoscopy; polyps

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004461