Novel insights toward diagnosis and treatment of glioneuronal and neuronal tumors in young adults

CNS Oncol. 2024 Dec 31;13(1):2357532. doi: 10.1080/20450907.2024.2357532. Epub 2024 Jun 14.

Abstract

Aim: Glioneuronal and neuronal tumors are rare primary central nervous system malignancies with heterogeneous features. Due to the rarity of these malignancies diagnosis and treatment remains a clinical challenge. Methods: Here we performed a narrative review aimed to investigate the principal issues concerning the diagnosis, pathology, and clinical management of glioneuronal tumors. Results: Diagnostic criteria have been recently overturned thanks to a better characterization on a histological and molecular biology level. The study of genomic alterations occurring within these tumors has allowed us to identify potential therapeutic targets including BRAF, FGFR, and PDGFRA. Conclusion: Techniques allowing molecular sequencing DNA methylation assessment of the disease are essential diagnostic tools. Targeting agents should be included in the therapeutic armamentarium after loco-regional treatment failure.

Keywords: agnostic trials; classification; glioneuronal; integrated diagnosis; molecular diagnosis; personalized treatment.

Plain language summary

[Box: see text].

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / genetics
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Central Nervous System Neoplasms / therapy
  • Glioma / diagnosis
  • Glioma / genetics
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Young Adult