PCNSL: biomarker better than biopsy?

摘要

In this issue of Blood, Baraniskin and colleagues report on microRNAs (miRNAs) as a possible biomarker for the diagnosis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Levels of miR-21, miR-19, and miR-92a were significantly increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from PCNSL patients compared with controls with inflammatory CNS disease or other neurologic disorders.The diagnosis of PCNSL is most commonly achieved via stereotactic brain biopsy. Contemporary imaging methods . (CT, MRI, PET) fail to reliably differentiate inflammatory processes, solid-tumor metastases, and primary or secondary CNSL. A misinterpretation of findings can lead to a delay in initiating therapy on the one hand, or to unnecessary resection of PCNSL on the other, in conjunction with related morbidity.