Gender as a disease modifier in neurofibromatosis type 1 optic pathway glioma (original) (raw)

Visual outcome of a cohort of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and optic pathway glioma followed by a pediatric neuro-oncology program

Neuro-Oncology, 2007

We evaluated the visual outcome of a cohort of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and optic pathway glioma (OPG) treated according to standardized therapeutic guidelines. The study population consisted of all consecutive patients with NF1 and OPG referred to a specialized pediatric neuro-oncology program between 1994 and 2004. Treatment was instituted only in cases of progressive disease or clinical deterioration. Treatment modalities were chemotherapy (based on vincristine/ carboplatin) for children younger than 5 years and radiotherapy for all others. Ten boys and 10 girls (seven with a positive family history) entered the trial (median age at diagnosis of OPG, 29 months). At a median follow-up time of 78 months, seven patients had been treated with chemotherapy only, four with radiotherapy, and four with chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. Five patients were observed only. Currently, 18 are alive and two have died. Eight patients were treated for progressive visual loss in the face of stable disease, five for tumor volume increase without visual deterioration, and two for symptomatic tumor volume increase. At referral, six ). children had a visual acuity (VA) of , 30% in both eyes; eight children had 100% VA bilaterally. At referral, the visual field (VF) could be assessed in three children: One had VF loss in both eyes, one had VF loss in one eye, and one had normal VF. At last follow-up, eight children had VA , 20% in both eyes; only two children had 100% VA in both eyes. Among 11 children who had some visual function, three had VF loss in one eye and three in both eyes, and five had an intact VF. Contrast and color sensitivity were abnormal in seven and six patients, respectively. Thirteen children fell into the WHO hypovision category. In summary, among the 15 children treated, one had a definitive and two a mild improvement in VA. In conclusion, the visual outcome of this selected cohort of NF1 patients with OPG is unsatisfactory. A critical reappraisal of the therapeutic strategy adopted is needed.

Functional outcome measures for NF1-associated optic pathway glioma clinical trials

Neurology, 2013

Objective: The goal of the Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis Visual Outcomes Committee is to define the best functional outcome measures for future neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated optic pathway glioma (OPG) clinical trials. Methods: The committee considered the components of vision, other ophthalmologic parameters affected by OPG, potential biomarkers of visual function, and quality of life measures to arrive at consensus-based, evidence-driven recommendations for objective and measurable functional endpoints for OPG trials. Results: Visual acuity (VA) assessments using consistent quantitative testing methods are recommended as the main functional outcome measure for NF1-OPG clinical trials. Teller acuity cards are recommended for use as the primary VA endpoint, and HOTV as a secondary endpoint once subjects are old enough to complete it. The optic disc should be assessed for pallor, as this appears to be a contributory variable that may affect the interpretation of VA change over time. Given the importance of capturing patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials, evaluating visual quality of life using the Children's Visual Function Questionnaire as a secondary endpoint is also proposed. Conclusions: The use of these key functional endpoints will be essential for evaluating the efficacy of future OPG clinical trials. Neurology ® 2013;81 (Suppl 1):S15-S24 GLOSSARY CVFQ 5 Children's Visual Function Questionnaire; logMAR 5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; MS 5 multiple sclerosis; NF1 5 neurofibromatosis type 1; OCT 5 optical coherence tomography; OPG 5 optic pathway glioma; PFS 5 progression-free survival; QOL 5 quality of life; REiNS 5 Response Evaluation in Neurofibromatosis and Schwannomatosis; RNFL 5 retinal nerve fiber layer; TAC 5 Teller acuity cards; VA 5 visual acuity; VEP 5 visual evoked potential; VF 5 visual field.

Optic pathway gliomas in children with neurofibromatosis 1: Consensus statement from the nf1 optic pathway glioma task force

Annals of Neurology, 1997

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a common autosomal dominant disorder in which affected individuals develop benign and malignant tumors [ ll. Because of the association between NF 1 and tumor development, the NFI gene has been classified as a tumor suppressor gene [2]. The NFI gene was identified in 1990 and found to code for a large cytoplasmic protein of 2,818 acids [3-51. The NFI gene product, neurofibromin, contains a small region in the central part of the protein that bears sequence similarity with a family of proteins that regulate the protooncogene p21-ras [6-9]. These p2 1-ras regulatory proteins are collectively termed guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)-activating proteins (GAPS). Since p21-ras can transform cells, neurofibromin (as an inhibitor of p21-ras activation) would therefore suppress the growth of cells. This association between NFl GAP function and p21-ras regulation has been demonstrated for some tumors in patients with NF1 [lo-121. One of the most common tumors in patients with NF1 is the optic pathway glioma. Although optic pathway tumors account for only 2 to 5% of all brain tumors in childhood, as many as 70% are associated with (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors and the major brain tumor reference texts do not recognize optic pathway glioma as a separate pathological entity, but include these lesions under the rubric of pilocytic astrocytoma [ 13-1 61. Although not well entrenched in the literature, the most accurate term for these tumors is pilocytic artrocytoma of the optic pathway

Neurofibromatosis type 1 and optic pathway glioma. A long-term follow-up

PubMed, 2007

Aim: Optic pathway gliomas (OPG) are the predominant intracranial tumours associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the outcome of OPG in 200 NF1 patients (122 males and 78 females, aged 1-25 years) followed up to 16 years (mean of 6 years). Methods: All children were evaluated by a detailed physical, neurological and ophthalmological examination. Fifteen out of 200 (7.5%) of these patients (7 males, 8 females) were identified with evidence of optic pathway tumours. Results: Nine children had symptoms such as endocranial hypertension, seizures, headache; 4 patients only showed anomalies at ophthalmological examination; 2 patients had no symptoms or signs. All children had evidence of optic pathway tumour on magnetic resonance imaging. Three had a prechiasmal tumour, 2 had a chiasmal tumour, 1 had prechiasmal/chiasmal tumour, 2 had a prechiasmal/chiasmal and postchiasmal tumour, 2 had a chiasmal and postchiasmal tumour, 4 had a massive involvement of the optic system, 1 child exhibited a bilateral involvement of the optic nerves with additional impairment of the chiasm. Four patients had partial and/or subtotal spontaneous regression. Conclusions: Because optic pathway tumours arise in children younger than 6 years of age, all NF1 children should undergo yearly ophtalmologic examination and growth assessment to monitor signs of precocious puberty.

Optic Pathway Glioma in Type 1 Neurofibromatosis: Review of Its Pathogenesis, Diagnostic Assessment, and Treatment Recommendations

Cancers, 2019

Type 1 neurofibromatosis (NF1) is a dominantly inherited condition predisposing to tumor development. Optic pathway glioma (OPG) is the most frequent central nervous system tumor in children with NF1, affecting approximately 15–20% of patients. The lack of well-established prognostic markers and the wide clinical variability with respect to tumor progression and visual outcome make the clinical management of these tumors challenging, with significant differences among distinct centers. We reviewed published articles on OPG diagnostic protocol, follow-up and treatment in NF1. Cohorts of NF1 children with OPG reported in the literature and patients prospectively collected in our center were analyzed with regard to clinical data, tumor anatomical site, diagnostic workflow, treatment and outcome. In addition, we discussed the recent findings on the pathophysiology of OPG development in NF1. This review provides a comprehensive overview about the clinical management of NF1-associated OPG...

Optic pathway gliomas in neurofibromatosis-1: Controversies and recommendations

Annals of Neurology, 2007

Optic pathway glioma (OPG), seen in 15% to 20% of individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), account for significant morbidity in young children with NF1. Overwhelmingly a tumor of children younger than 7 years, OPG may present in individuals with NF1 at any age. Although many OPG may remain indolent and never cause signs or symptoms, others lead to vision loss, proptosis, or precocious puberty. Because the natural history and treatment of NF1-associated OPG is different from that of sporadic OPG in individuals without NF1, a task force composed of basic scientists and clinical researchers was assembled in 1997 to propose a set of guidelines for the diagnosis and management of NF1-associated OPG. This new review highlights advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology and clinical behavior of these tumors made over the last 10 years. Controversies in both the diagnosis and management of these tumors are examined. Finally, specific evidence-based recommendations are proposed for clinicians caring for children with NF1.

Visual Outcome for Children with Optic Pathway Gliomas Treated with Systemic Chemotherapy

Clinical Ophthalmology

This study aims to report visual acuity outcomes for patients with optic pathway gliomas (OPG) treated with systemic chemotherapy and analyze the associated factors. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of 29 children with OPG treated with chemotherapy at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan, between May/2005 and August/2020. Details on patient demographics, tumor location, systemic chemotherapy, and progression of disease were extracted from medical records. Results: Fifty-four eyes of twenty-nine patients were included in this study with a follow-up range from 2 to 17 years. Sixteen patients (55%) had a history of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1). Most of the eyes (31, 57%) had visual acuity ranges in the moderate or better group. The age group ≥5 years at diagnosis, those with hydrocephalus, and patients with non-NF1 presented the worst visual acuity ranges from severe or worse; the p-value was 0.043, 0.0320, and 0.0054, respectively. Following treatment with systemic chemotherapy, visual acuity improved in 5 (17%) patients, remained the same in 23 (79%) patients, and only one patient (3%) had vision deterioration. Of the five patients who showed vision improvement, only one had radiological regression of the tumor. Parallel to this, three (10%) patients showed tumor progression in the final magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings without affecting the final vision. Conclusion: Children older than 5 years at diagnosis, in sporadic OPG, and those with hydrocephalus had the worst vision at presentation. Treatment with systemic chemotherapy prevented further deterioration of vision, and following treatment with systemic chemotherapy, most of the patients had the same vision; this stability indicates that vision at diagnosis is an important predictor for the final visual outcome.

Long term follow up of 69 patients treated for optic pathway tumours before the chemotherapy era

Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1998

Aim-To analyse the long term results of conservative management with radiotherapy in patients with optic pathway tumours. Design-All 69 patients were symptomatic at diagnosis and most neoplasms involved the optic chiasm and hypothalamus. Results-At 10 years, overall survival and progression free survival were 83% and 65.5%, respectively. After radiotherapy, vision improved in 18 patients and remained stable in 29 other patients. Cerebrovascular complications occurred in nine of 53 patients treated with radiotherapy after a median interval of two and a half years. These complications were five times more frequent in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Severe intellectual disabilities were present in 18 children, most of whom underwent irradiation at a very young age (median age, 4 years). Implications-Radiotherapy is a valuable treatment in terms of tumour response, visual outcome, and progression free survival. However, in young children and in patients with NF1, major sequelae are encountered and new treatment strategies should be proposed for these patients.