P14.13.B TREATMENT OF RECURRENT ADAMANTINOMATOUS CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA WITH A COMBINATION OF BEVACIZUMAB AND TOCILIZUMAB: A CASE SERIES

Abstract BACKGROUND Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACPs) are rare, partially cystic central nervous system tumors driven by the WNT/β-catenin pathway. As they grow, ACPs compress the surrounding pituitary gland, optic chiasm, and third ventricle. ACPs are highly morbid tumors with enormous quality of life impact on patients, often early in life. Thus, better treatments are needed. Current ACP treatment consists of maximally safe surgical resection with radiation for residual disease. Complete surgical resection is challenging, and recurrence is common. Targeted systemic chemotherapy is not routinely used for ACP treatment. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are elevated within ACPs compared to normal brain tissue, making IL-6 an intriguing therapeutic target. Treatment response of ACP to tocilizumab alone or in combination with bevacizumab has been reported in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of three adults with recurrent ACP who received combination treatment with bevacizumab and tocilizumab on a compassionate basis between June 2022 and April 2025 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. We collected demographic, clinical, treatment, radiologic, and outcome data. RESULTS All three patients were male and median age at initial ACP diagnosis was 38 years (range: 32-42 years). All patients underwent subtotal resection followed by radiation therapy. One patient had repeat surgical resection and two patients required interventions for hydrocephalus. At the time of ACP recurrence, all patients had visual impairment, endocrine dysfunction, and headaches. All patients received bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg q3 weeks) and tocilizumab (8 mg/kg q3 weeks [n=2] or 4 mg/kg q4 weeks [n=1]). While receiving combination therapy, ACP tumor volume decreased on magnetic resonance imaging for all three patients (64%, 68%, and 29% reduction). None exhibited tumor growth since starting combination therapy. One patient had a small intraparenchymal hemorrhage, suspected secondary to radiation-induced cavernous malformation, so bevacizumab was discontinued, and he remains on tocilizumab alone. The other two patients continue combination therapy (for 344 and 351 days). Two patients experienced improvement in vision, and one had improvement in cognition. Possible adverse effects of treatment included sinus infections, fatigue, neutropenia, and hypertension. CONCLUSION Treatment with combination bevacizumab and tocilizumab was associated with shrinkage of ACP tumors and clinical improvements and obviated the need for further surgery or radiation in all three patients. This combination of medications may reprogram the tumor microenvironment, leading to ACP involution. This well-tolerated regimen provides a noninvasive option for treatment of recurrent ACP, and potentially initial ACP treatment, and may improve quality of life for patients.

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Journal
Neuro-Oncology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/neuonc/noaf193.474
Primary Topic
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
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article
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article

P14.13.B TREATMENT OF RECURRENT ADAMANTINOMATOUS CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA WITH A COMBINATION OF BEVACIZUMAB AND TOCILIZUMAB: A CASE SERIES

Uğur Sener, Jann Nagina Sarkaria, Michael W. Ruff, Lauren M. Webb et al.
Neuro-Oncology
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
article

P14.13.B TREATMENT OF RECURRENT ADAMANTINOMATOUS CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA WITH A COMBINATION OF BEVACIZUMAB AND TOCILIZUMAB: A CASE SERIES

Uğur Sener, Jann Nagina Sarkaria, Michael W. Ruff, Lauren M. Webb, Jamie J. Van Gompel, Timothy J. Kaufmann, Jorge A. Trejo‐Lopez, María Peris Celda
article en

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Adamantinomatous craniopharyngiomas (ACPs) are rare, partially cystic central nervous system tumors driven by the WNT/β-catenin pathway. As they grow, ACPs compress the surrounding pituitary gland, optic chiasm, and third ventricle. ACPs are highly morbid tumors with enormous quality of life impact on patients, often early in life. Thus, better treatments are needed. Current ACP treatment consists of maximally safe surgical resection with radiation for residual disease. Complete surgical resection is challenging, and recurrence is common. Targeted systemic chemotherapy is not routinely used for ACP treatment. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels are elevated within ACPs compared to normal brain tissue, making IL-6 an intriguing therapeutic target. Treatment response of ACP to tocilizumab alone or in combination with bevacizumab has been reported in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of three adults with recurrent ACP who received combination treatment with bevacizumab and tocilizumab on a compassionate basis between June 2022 and April 2025 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. We collected demographic, clinical, treatment, radiologic, and outcome data. RESULTS All three patients were male and median age at initial ACP diagnosis was 38 years (range: 32-42 years). All patients underwent subtotal resection followed by radiation therapy. One patient had repeat surgical resection and two patients required interventions for hydrocephalus. At the time of ACP recurrence, all patients had visual impairment, endocrine dysfunction, and headaches. All patients received bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg q3 weeks) and tocilizumab (8 mg/kg q3 weeks [n=2] or 4 mg/kg q4 weeks [n=1]). While receiving combination therapy, ACP tumor volume decreased on magnetic resonance imaging for all three patients (64%, 68%, and 29% reduction). None exhibited tumor growth since starting combination therapy. One patient had a small intraparenchymal hemorrhage, suspected secondary to radiation-induced cavernous malformation, so bevacizumab was discontinued, and he remains on tocilizumab alone. The other two patients continue combination therapy (for 344 and 351 days). Two patients experienced improvement in vision, and one had improvement in cognition. Possible adverse effects of treatment included sinus infections, fatigue, neutropenia, and hypertension. CONCLUSION Treatment with combination bevacizumab and tocilizumab was associated with shrinkage of ACP tumors and clinical improvements and obviated the need for further surgery or radiation in all three patients. This combination of medications may reprogram the tumor microenvironment, leading to ACP involution. This well-tolerated regimen provides a noninvasive option for treatment of recurrent ACP, and potentially initial ACP treatment, and may improve quality of life for patients.

Neuro-OncologyVol. 27(Supplement_3)
Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US)
Openalex Percentile: Top 63%
Pituitary Gland Disorders and Treatments
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