Early Detection of Neurofibromatosis Type-1 Brain Tumor Growth and TreatmentResponse by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Positron Emission Tomography in a Trial of Novem Antitumor Drugs

摘要

Standard evaluations of NF- 1 tumor and treatment response are inadequate andcurrent therapies are ineffective. We conducted studies using MRI, MRS, and PET in 28 NF-1 patients with newly-diagnosed brain tumors and 7 with progressive tumors. Preliminary results show MRS and PET profiles similar to non-NF1 tumors. Predictive factors have not been identified. However, thalamic hypometabolism and hypoperfusion is significant in these patients. Neuroimaging data requires re-analysis in 9 months after all scheduled studies are completed. To address these problems, we conducted multimodality neuroimaging studies in NF-1 patients with newly-diagnosed or progressive optic nerve/hypothalamic or brain stem tumors to predict the growth potential of these tumor and a randomized clinical trial of new antitumor agents in progressively enlarging OPT/HT and plexiform neurofibromas to rapidly identify potentially effective therapies.