Article Type
Article
Changed
Wed, 04/16/2025 - 10:28
Display Headline

Brain Cancer: Epidemiology, TBI, and New Treatments

Author(s)
Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH

Click to view more from Cancer Data Trends 2025. 

References
  1. Bihn JR, Cioffi G, Waite KA, et al. Brain tumors in United States military veterans.
    Neuro Oncol. 2024;26(2):387-396. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noad182
  2. Stewart IJ, Howard JT, Poltavsky E, et al. Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent
    Risk of Brain Cancer in US Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. JAMA Netw
    Open. 2024;7(2):e2354588. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54588
  3. DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository. December 15, 2023. Accessed December 11,
    2024. https://researchbraininjury.org/
  4. Munch TN, Gørtz S, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. The long-term risk of malignant
    astrocytic tumors after structural brain injury--a nationwide cohort study. Neuro
    Oncol. 2015;17(5):718-724. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nou312
  5. Strowd RE, Dunbar EM, Gan HK, et al. Practical guidance for telemedicine use in
    neuro-oncology. Neurooncol Pract. 2022;9(2):91-104. doi:10.1093/nop/npac002
  6. Parikh DA, Rodgers TD, Passero VA, et al. Teleoncology in the Veterans Health
    Administration: Models of Care and the Veteran Experience. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ
    Book. 2024;44(e100042. doi:10.1200/EDBK_100042
  7. Batool SM, Escobedo AK, Hsia T, et al. Clinical utility of a blood based assay for
    the detection of IDH1.R132H-mutant gliomas. Nat Commun. 2024;15(1):7074.
    doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51332-7
  8. Mellinghoff IK, van den Bent MJ, Blumenthal DT, et al; INDIGO Trial Investigators.
    Vorasidenib in IDH1- or IDH2-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma. N Engl J Med.
    2023;389(7):589-601. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2304194
  9. FDA. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves vorasidenib for Grade 2
    astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with a susceptible IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
    Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesinformation-
    approved-drugs/fda-approves-vorasidenib-grade-2-astrocytoma-oroligodendroglioma-
    susceptible-idh1-or-idh2-mutation
  10. NIH. National Cancer Institute. Tovorafenib Approved for Some Children with Low-
    Grade Glioma. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/
    cancer-currents-blog/2024/pediatric-low-grade-glioma-tovorafenib-braf
  11. The Veteran Population. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.va.gov/vetdata/
    docs/surveysandstudies/vetpop.pdf
  12. Miller AM, Szalontay L, Bouvier N, et al. Next-generation sequencing of
    cerebrospinal fluid for clinical molecular diagnostics in pediatric, adolescent
    and young adult brain tumor patients. Neuro Oncol. 2022;24(10):1763-1772.
    doi:10.1093/neuonc/noac035
Author and Disclosure Information

Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor,
Department of Neurosurgery
Duke University School of Medicine;
Staff Physician
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Tele-Oncology Program
Durham, North Carolina


Dr. Johnson has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Publications
Federal Practitioner
Topics
Oncology
CNS/Brain Cancer
Neuro-oncology
Author(s)
Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH
Author(s)
Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH
Author and Disclosure Information

Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor,
Department of Neurosurgery
Duke University School of Medicine;
Staff Physician
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Tele-Oncology Program
Durham, North Carolina


Dr. Johnson has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Author and Disclosure Information

Margaret O. Johnson, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor,
Department of Neurosurgery
Duke University School of Medicine;
Staff Physician
Department of Veterans Affairs
National Tele-Oncology Program
Durham, North Carolina


Dr. Johnson has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Click to view more from Cancer Data Trends 2025. 

Click to view more from Cancer Data Trends 2025. 

References
  1. Bihn JR, Cioffi G, Waite KA, et al. Brain tumors in United States military veterans.
    Neuro Oncol. 2024;26(2):387-396. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noad182
  2. Stewart IJ, Howard JT, Poltavsky E, et al. Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent
    Risk of Brain Cancer in US Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. JAMA Netw
    Open. 2024;7(2):e2354588. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54588
  3. DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository. December 15, 2023. Accessed December 11,
    2024. https://researchbraininjury.org/
  4. Munch TN, Gørtz S, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. The long-term risk of malignant
    astrocytic tumors after structural brain injury--a nationwide cohort study. Neuro
    Oncol. 2015;17(5):718-724. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nou312
  5. Strowd RE, Dunbar EM, Gan HK, et al. Practical guidance for telemedicine use in
    neuro-oncology. Neurooncol Pract. 2022;9(2):91-104. doi:10.1093/nop/npac002
  6. Parikh DA, Rodgers TD, Passero VA, et al. Teleoncology in the Veterans Health
    Administration: Models of Care and the Veteran Experience. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ
    Book. 2024;44(e100042. doi:10.1200/EDBK_100042
  7. Batool SM, Escobedo AK, Hsia T, et al. Clinical utility of a blood based assay for
    the detection of IDH1.R132H-mutant gliomas. Nat Commun. 2024;15(1):7074.
    doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51332-7
  8. Mellinghoff IK, van den Bent MJ, Blumenthal DT, et al; INDIGO Trial Investigators.
    Vorasidenib in IDH1- or IDH2-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma. N Engl J Med.
    2023;389(7):589-601. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2304194
  9. FDA. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves vorasidenib for Grade 2
    astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with a susceptible IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
    Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesinformation-
    approved-drugs/fda-approves-vorasidenib-grade-2-astrocytoma-oroligodendroglioma-
    susceptible-idh1-or-idh2-mutation
  10. NIH. National Cancer Institute. Tovorafenib Approved for Some Children with Low-
    Grade Glioma. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/
    cancer-currents-blog/2024/pediatric-low-grade-glioma-tovorafenib-braf
  11. The Veteran Population. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.va.gov/vetdata/
    docs/surveysandstudies/vetpop.pdf
  12. Miller AM, Szalontay L, Bouvier N, et al. Next-generation sequencing of
    cerebrospinal fluid for clinical molecular diagnostics in pediatric, adolescent
    and young adult brain tumor patients. Neuro Oncol. 2022;24(10):1763-1772.
    doi:10.1093/neuonc/noac035
References
  1. Bihn JR, Cioffi G, Waite KA, et al. Brain tumors in United States military veterans.
    Neuro Oncol. 2024;26(2):387-396. doi:10.1093/neuonc/noad182
  2. Stewart IJ, Howard JT, Poltavsky E, et al. Traumatic Brain Injury and Subsequent
    Risk of Brain Cancer in US Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. JAMA Netw
    Open. 2024;7(2):e2354588. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.54588
  3. DoD/USU Brain Tissue Repository. December 15, 2023. Accessed December 11,
    2024. https://researchbraininjury.org/
  4. Munch TN, Gørtz S, Wohlfahrt J, Melbye M. The long-term risk of malignant
    astrocytic tumors after structural brain injury--a nationwide cohort study. Neuro
    Oncol. 2015;17(5):718-724. doi:10.1093/neuonc/nou312
  5. Strowd RE, Dunbar EM, Gan HK, et al. Practical guidance for telemedicine use in
    neuro-oncology. Neurooncol Pract. 2022;9(2):91-104. doi:10.1093/nop/npac002
  6. Parikh DA, Rodgers TD, Passero VA, et al. Teleoncology in the Veterans Health
    Administration: Models of Care and the Veteran Experience. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ
    Book. 2024;44(e100042. doi:10.1200/EDBK_100042
  7. Batool SM, Escobedo AK, Hsia T, et al. Clinical utility of a blood based assay for
    the detection of IDH1.R132H-mutant gliomas. Nat Commun. 2024;15(1):7074.
    doi:10.1038/s41467-024-51332-7
  8. Mellinghoff IK, van den Bent MJ, Blumenthal DT, et al; INDIGO Trial Investigators.
    Vorasidenib in IDH1- or IDH2-Mutant Low-Grade Glioma. N Engl J Med.
    2023;389(7):589-601. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2304194
  9. FDA. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves vorasidenib for Grade 2
    astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma with a susceptible IDH1 or IDH2 mutation.
    Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesinformation-
    approved-drugs/fda-approves-vorasidenib-grade-2-astrocytoma-oroligodendroglioma-
    susceptible-idh1-or-idh2-mutation
  10. NIH. National Cancer Institute. Tovorafenib Approved for Some Children with Low-
    Grade Glioma. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/
    cancer-currents-blog/2024/pediatric-low-grade-glioma-tovorafenib-braf
  11. The Veteran Population. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.va.gov/vetdata/
    docs/surveysandstudies/vetpop.pdf
  12. Miller AM, Szalontay L, Bouvier N, et al. Next-generation sequencing of
    cerebrospinal fluid for clinical molecular diagnostics in pediatric, adolescent
    and young adult brain tumor patients. Neuro Oncol. 2022;24(10):1763-1772.
    doi:10.1093/neuonc/noac035
Publications
Federal Practitioner
Publications
Federal Practitioner
Topics
Oncology
CNS/Brain Cancer
Neuro-oncology
Article Type
Article
Display Headline

Brain Cancer: Epidemiology, TBI, and New Treatments

Display Headline

Brain Cancer: Epidemiology, TBI, and New Treatments

Disallow All Ads
Content Gating
No Gating (article Unlocked/Free)
Alternative CME
Disqus Comments
Default
Eyebrow Default
SLIDESHOW
Gate On Date
Mon, 03/17/2025 - 20:41
Un-Gate On Date
Mon, 03/17/2025 - 20:41
Use ProPublica
CFC Schedule Remove Status
Mon, 03/17/2025 - 20:41
Hide sidebar & use full width
render the right sidebar.
Conference Recap Checkbox
Not Conference Recap
Clinical Edge
Display the Slideshow in this Article
Article Slideshow Optional Introduction

Brain cancer represents a notable health challenge for veterans. The first large-scale study on brain tumors in US veterans showed that the most frequently diagnosed tumors were nonmalignant pituitary tumors, nonmalignant meningiomas, and glioblastomas.1 Exposure to combat-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may contribute to the risk for brain tumors, and further research is ongoing.2,3 A 2024 study demonstrated that veterans with moderate/severe and penetrating TBIs had an increased risk of brain cancer, but previous research in civilians has not echoed these findings.2,4 

As our understanding of the connection between TBI and brain cancer evolves, health care initiatives and new research are aiming to serve the veteran population most at risk. Telehealth is being used throughout the VA to help veterans, especially those in rural locations, receive neuro-oncology care.5,6 In terms of research, the DoD and Uniformed Services University have established a Brain Tissue Repository. This program may be better able to explore the TBI/brain cancer connection through veteran brain tissue donation.3

New assays are also being developed to help identify brain cancer faster. Liquid biopsy techniques focused on IDH1 have shown promise.7 In terms of treatment, the IDH1/IDH2 inhibitor vorasidenib prolonged progression free survival in grade 2 IDH-mutant gliomas in clinical trials and was approved by the FDA in 2024.8,9 Although not pertaining directly to the veteran population, a new treatment for pediatric brain tumors also was approved by the FDA in 2024.10 These milestones reflect an encouraging trend in precision medicine, opening doors for more targeted brain tumor therapies and tools across various patient groups.

Medscape Article
Display survey writer
Reuters content
Disable Inline Native ads
WebMD Article
survey writer start date
Mon, 03/17/2025 - 20:41
Slide Media